Ad-Hock-July-22nd

Will County Treasurer Confirms Free Online Tax Payment Option, Warns Against High Credit Card Fees

Will County Treasurer Tim Brophy confirmed Tuesday that property owners have a free online payment option available and advised residents to avoid the high convenience fees associated with using credit cards for tax payments.

Appearing before the Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee, Brophy and his colleague Julie Shetina addressed a concern raised by a board member about the significant cost of paying a large tax bill with a credit card. Brophy explained that while the county’s third-party payment processor charges a 2.28% fee for both credit and debit card transactions, a free option is widely used.

“There is a free way,” Brophy said, noting that about 50,000 taxpayers use the service each payment period. The free method involves an electronic check (e-check) or Automatic Clearing House (ACH) transfer, where taxpayers enter their bank routing and account numbers to authorize a direct payment from their bank account.

The 2.28% fee on a $30,000 tax bill, for example, would cost a taxpayer nearly $700. Brophy emphasized that this fee is charged by and paid to the payment processing company, not the county.

The discussion also touched on why consumer-facing payment apps like Zelle or Venmo are not suitable for tax collection. Brophy explained these services have low transaction limits, typically around $2,500, and do not collect the detailed information—such as name, address, email, and phone number—that the Treasurer’s office needs to track payments and resolve the 2% of cases that involve errors like double payments or non-payments.

Shetina added that the county negotiates the credit card rate and that the current vendor offered the ACH service for free to win the county’s business.

Events

No events

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Frankfort-Village-Board-Meeting-Graphic

Meeting Briefs: Frankfort Village Board for July 14, 2025

'Whisk & Flame' Culinary Studio Approved: The board approved "Whisk & Flame," an experiential culinary studio, for 10-12 Elwood Street. The project includes four special use permits for entertainment, liquor sales,...
WCO-Exec-Cmte-July-10.1

County Approves School Resource Officer, Multi-Year Planning Requirements

Will County approved hiring an additional sheriff's deputy for a school resource officer position that will be fully funded by Summit Hill School District 161, while also passing new transparency...
WCO-Exec-Cmte-July-10.2

County Addresses Senior Tax Exemption Processing Error

A processing error that cost County Board member Julie Berkowicz $600 in senior tax exemptions has prompted discussions about improving verification systems for property tax breaks. Will County Chief Assessment...
Meeting-Briefs

Executive Committee Meeting July 10 Meeting Briefs

Liquor License Expansion: The county approved increasing Class C1 liquor licenses from eight to nine to accommodate Lockport Gas and Food LLC at 14747 W. 159th Street in Homer Glen....
frankfort-park-district

Meeting Briefs: Frankfort Park District Board for June 10, 2025

The Frankfort Park District Board of Commissioners discussed a legal dispute with the Five Oaks homeowners association over park development rules at its Tuesday meeting. Executive Director Gina Hassett reported...
Will-County-Land-Use-July-3.1

Committee Rejects Troy Township Solar Projects Amid Strong Local Opposition

The Will County Land Use and Development Committee recommended denial for two controversial commercial solar energy projects in Troy Township on Thursday, following a wave of opposition from local municipalities,...
Will-County-Land-Use-July3.2

Controversial DuPage Township Rezoning for Outdoor Storage Advances

A contentious proposal to rezone a 20-acre parcel in DuPage Township from agricultural (A-1) to heavy industrial (I-3) for an outdoor vehicle storage facility narrowly passed the Will County Land...
Will-County-Land-Use-July3.2

Residents Allege Health Crises, Violations from Peotone Grain Facility

Two residents of unincorporated Peotone delivered emotional testimony to the Will County Land Use and Development Committee Thursday, alleging that a neighboring grain facility is causing severe health problems and...
Will-County-Public-Health-Safety-Committee-Meeting-July-3-2025

Health Department May Seek Property Tax Increase to Maintain Critical Services

The Will County Health Department is grappling with significant budget shortfalls as multiple federal grants have been terminated or reduced, potentially forcing the agency to seek additional property tax revenue...
Will-County-Land-Use-July-3.1

Crete Township Solar Project Approved Despite Township Objections

A 21-acre commercial solar project in Crete Township received a favorable recommendation from the Will County Land Use and Development Committee on Thursday, despite an official objection from the township....
Will-County-Public-Health-Safety-Committee-Meeting-July-3-2025

Health Department Opens Second Breast Milk Depot in Bolingbrook

The Will County Health Department has opened its second breast milk depot in partnership with Mother's Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes, expanding access to donated breast milk for...
Will-County-Land-Use-July3.2

Lockport Township Solar Farm Gains Committee Approval

The Will County Land Use and Development Committee on Thursday approved a special use permit for a 25-acre commercial solar energy facility in Lockport Township. The project, proposed by Daniel...
Will-County-Public-Health-Safety-Committee-Meeting-July-3-2025

Health Department Plans Back-to-School Fair July 12

The Will County Health Department will host a Back-to-School Health Fair Saturday, July 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Community Health Center, 1106 Neal Ave., Joliet. The...
Meeting-Briefs

Meeting Briefs: Will County Land Use & Development Committee for July 3, 2025

Green Garden Township Rezoning for Future Subdivision ApprovedThe committee recommended approval of a map amendment for an 81-acre property on South 88th Avenue in Green Garden Township. The applicant, represented...
Meeting-Briefs

Will County Public Health & Safety Committee July 3 Meeting Briefs

Grain Dust Complaint Prompts Investigation: Will County resident Tracy Henning of unincorporated Peotone addressed the committee about health problems she attributes to grain dust from a neighboring facility. Henning, who...