ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS FOR TAX AND WATER BILLS

Robert F. Brang, Treasurer for the Charter Township of Redford announced today there is a new way for residents to pay their tax and water bills. The Township has partnered with Official Payment Corporation (OPC) to now offer the convenience of paying by electronic check over OPC’s Interactive Voice Response (IVR) telephone payment systems. Previously, this capability was only supported via the Internet. This option is available for all individuals accepting payment through 1-800-2PAY-TAX. There is a $3.00 fee for this service charged by Official Payments. Overdue tax bills cannot be processed by this system.

OPC was able to expand electronic check acceptance to their telephone system by employing new technology that records customers spoken answers to IVR prompts. The process for paying by an electronic check over the IVR is very similar to that of a credit card transaction except that customers are asked to enter bank account and routing numbers instead of credit card information.

Residents that want to pay with an electronic check (e-check) over the Internet can do so at www.officialpayments.com/echeck. There is a $3.00 fee for this service charged by Official Payments. Overdue tax bills cannot be processed by this system.

If you wish to pay your tax bills by credit card you can call 1-800-2PAYTAX (1-800-272-9829 and use your jurisdiction code of 3252 when prompted) or log onto www.officialpayments.com. Fees for this type of transaction can be viewed on the treasurer’s website under PAY TAX AND WATER BILLS BY E-CHECK OR CREDIT CARD.–

To pay your water bill by credit card, please call the same number as you would for your tax bill (1-800-272-9829). Official Payment is now charging a flat fee of $4.95 per payment for water bills only.

“Redford Township cannot directly accept credit card payments or electronic checks at the Water or Tax Departments. These different payment alternatives are offered for the convenience of the residents of Redford Township. Official Payments collects a user convenience fee for processing these services. Redford Township RECEIVES NO remuneration for these types of payments,” said Treasurer Brang.

Official Payments is the leading provider of electronic payment solutions to government agencies. They currently accept payments for the Internal Revenue Service, 22 state governments and more than 1,500 local government agencies.

Summer taxes are issued in July and can be paid via telephone until September 14th without penalty. Winter taxes are issued in December and can be paid via telephone until February 14th. Beginning March 1st, late tax payments must be paid to Wayne County with penalty and interest.

Residents using cards with rewards programs may, depending on their cards’s program, earn rewards, points, airline frequent flyer miles or cash back for paying their water and taxes by credit or debit card through Official Payments.