Georgetown, Del., July 31, 2012: Sussex County is making online tax bill payments more convenient and easier on the wallet.

County Administrator Todd F. Lawson announced Tuesday, July 31, that effective immediately the County will charge a flat $1 fee for online tax bill payments. The surcharge – previously set as high as 2.5 percent, based on the card used – is set by a third-party vendor that handles the County’s online credit card payments through the government website.

County officials are hopeful the change encourages more electronic payments, which are more convenient for taxpayers than having to mail a check or visit an office. To make the flat fee possible, the County will absorb the difference taxpayers would have otherwise paid.

“Charging the public $25 to pay a $1,000 tax bill is absurd. That’s not convenient,” Mr. Lawson said. “I believe this decision will save taxpayers their hard-earned money. And it will encourage others to pay online, people who were previously discouraged by an unnecessarily high fee.”

Approximately 4,300 customers last year used the online payment method, according to the County’s Treasury division.

For more information, visit sussexcountyde.gov/pay-your-bill or call the Treasury office at (302) 855-7760.

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