Today is the deadline for paying the first half of property tax payments — but the rush to get to the county courthouse has slowed with the advent of on-line payments. Polk county Treasurer Mary Maloney oversees one of two websites where Iowans can go to make property tax payments. Maloney says there are a couple of ways to pay on-line.
Maloney says you can do an "E-check" for 70 cents, and she says they’re working on reducing that fee even more. And you can pay by credit card and will have to pay the credit card company’s interchange charge. While the electronic check cost more than a postage stamp, Maloney says overall it may be a better deal.
Maloney says you probably have to use gas, and your time to send in a payment via mail. Maloney says the on-line system has the advantage of being available 24-7, and you don’t have to leave your home. The on-line payment system is also used for car registration renewals.
Maloney says they’ve seen increases every year since they started web payments, and says more and more people are using electronic payments for all their bills. Maloney says it’s a more efficient system for treasurers too. Eleven Iowa counties, including a majority of the state’s population, use the website " IowaTaxandTags " that Maloney oversees. She says both sites work together to get you to the right place.
Maloney says they have a link that will get you to the proper place to pay your taxes, or renew your vehicle registration. So if your county doesn’t use one website, you will be able to use the link to get the proper website. Property tax payments must be postmarked with today’s date, or paid on-line today to avoid interest penalties.