Tax Collector Kiosk Project

About the Program

Category: Information Technology (Best in Category)

Year: 2021

The San Bernardino County Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector’s (ATC) Tax Collector Division (ATC-TC) is responsible for collecting over $3.1 billion in secured and unsecured property taxes annually by mail, phone, online, and in person at the Tax Collector's office. The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting government-imposed social distancing orders that began in March 2020 led to in-person payments becoming a challenge.The San Bernardino County Tax Collector was the first in California to design and implement a taxpayer kiosk solution. In less than four weeks during November 2020, ATC-TC collaborated with ATC’s Information Technology Division (ATC-ITD) to develop and deploy the Tax Collector Kiosk solution to address the immediate needs of taxpayers opting to submit in-person payments for their property taxes. Through the creative use of technology, the Tax Collector Kiosk project delivers an exceptional in-person payment experience and enables taxpayer access to current payment information before visiting a cashier, thus facilitating a reduction in payment processing times and personal exposure. Taxpayers who prefer to pay in person are the ideal target audience to introduce to online technology as a safe and easy alternative to paying in person both during and post-pandemic. The successful implementation and benefits of this innovative project are deserving of the 2021 Achievement Award.