Paying county taxes with credit card

[FG111]

At least in Sumter County, starting today on 10/26/2020, you will be able to view and pay your 2020 tax bill and if paid in full by November 30, a 4% discount is applied.

Currently Chase is offering 80,000 Bonus Points ($1,000 towards travel) w/ $4,000 spent on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. Annual fee is $95. Excellent credit is required. The typical $8000 tax bill would incur a $200 credit card convenience fee charged by the county. Many other credit cards are posting similar deals, check slickdealsdotnet. ( $300 cost for $1000 travel credits. )

For those of us who are without an escrow account, would paying your taxes with a credit card make sense?

[flusher]

I believe Sumter Cty. charges a 2 % service fee when paid with a CC, read your bill carefully

[retiredguy123]

I believe Sumter Cty. charges a 2 % service fee when paid with a CC, read your bill carefully
No. The fee is 2.5 percent.

$8,000 x 0.025 = $200.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Hmmm great credit card ??? $95 a year fee ( not so great I think) Bank of America no fee average a $1,000 to $2,000 cash back each year , they take out full payment every month from credit union , 50,000 limit 12 years never paid a dime in interest

[davem4616]

I've looked at doing this in the past...I have a card that gives me 2% back on everything...with the carrying fee for using a credit card it would basically be a wash...

I always used a credit card and earned points when making college tuition payments for the kids ....racked up a lot of miles and hotel points in that era

the nice thing about earning points is that they are not taxable...but at this point in my life I'd rather have the cash back and spend it the way I choose vs. being locked into points...(we like B&B's and Inns better anyway)

The interest rates on new CD's and money markets are a joke currently...but there are opportunities to make money on our every day expenditures

the AMEX Blue Cash Preferred Card offers 6% back on supermarket purchases (capped at $6K spent annually) and 3% back at gas stations (IMHO the monthly 20% savings on a $50 dollar gas card at Publix is still the best deal) and if you spend $3K in the first 6 months you get $300...there is an annual $95 fee...everything else is 1%...so I'll continue to use my 2% cash back card for everything else

paying the Florida taxes on the earliest date and saving 4% is a no brainer...might not be possible if you have an escrow account...but you could certainly have that conversation with your bank

[Stu from NYC]

We have the Sapphire card and the miles we got when getting it and than the annual pass to the United Club made it worth the annual fee.

In fact we each now have our own card. However since we have not flown in the past year not as attractive and plan to have conversation with Chase about the annual fee when it next comes up. Hopefully they will agree to waive it when I tell them I am about to cancel card.

My preferred card these days is a Sams m/C that only gives 1% on everyday stuff but 3% on travel and have racked us some nice cash back on our travel stuff.

Will do the math when we get our first Sumter county bill and decide what to do.

[Mrprez]

We have the Sapphire card and the miles we got when getting it and than the annual pass to the United Club made it worth the annual fee.

In fact we each now have our own card. However since we have not flown in the past year not as attractive and plan to have conversation with Chase about the annual fee when it next comes up. Hopefully they will agree to waive it when I tell them I am about to cancel card.

My preferred card these days is a Sams m/C that only gives 1% on everyday stuff but 3% on travel and have racked us some nice cash back on our travel stuff.

Will do the math when we get our first Sumter county bill and decide what to do.

You can go on line and see your bill right now.

[EdFNJ]

I just paid with taxes my card. Cost me 2% (sorry, it is 2.5% my very bad!) fee and no interest since I already paid it off but it gets me $850 in cash "bonus" minus the 2% (sorry, it is 2.5% my very bad!) Sumter courtesy fee and $95 fee for the card which I will cancel after the year.. Was well worth it to net $684.87 and now my wife will do the same. We have had well over 200 credit cards in the last 15 years 95% of which we have canceled, never paid a penny of interest, netted many thousands of $$$$ and our Fico scores are still in the mid 800's. There is a whole "industry" devoted to doing this. This was a Chase Sapphire Preferred card with 80,000 point ($800 cash or $1000 travel) bonus after $4K spend

My "everyday" goto card is the 2% Citi Bank double cash (no fee).

Chase rarely will waive a fee these days but if you are getting only 1% and paying a fee, dump it, you can do a LOT better.

[retiredguy123]

I just paid with taxes my card. Cost me 2% fee and no interest since I already paid it off but it gets me $850 in cash "bonus" minus the 2% Sumter courtesy fee and $95 fee for the card which I will cancel after the year.. Was well worth it to net $700+ and now my wife will do the same. We have had well over 200 credit cards in the last 15 years 95% of which we have canceled, never paid a penny of interest, netted many thousands of $$$$ and our Fico scores are still in the mid 800's. There is a whole "industry" devoted to doing this.

My "everyday" goto card is the 2% Citi Bank double cash (no fee).

Chase rarely will waive a fee these days but if you are getting only 1% and paying a fee, dump it, you can do a LOT better.
According to the Sumter County website, the fee to pay by credit card is 2.5 percent, not 2 percent.

[CWGUY]

:oops: :shrug:

[EdFNJ]

According to the Sumter County website, the fee to pay by credit card is 2.5 percent, not 2 percent. OMG, Dang Me! Why thank you! Yes it was! I will have to readjust my net amount by $15 from $60 to $75. I sit corrected. ;)

[Stu from NYC]

I just paid with taxes my card. Cost me 2% (sorry, it is 2.5% my very bad!) fee and no interest since I already paid it off but it gets me $850 in cash "bonus" minus the 2% (sorry, it is 2.5% my very bad!) Sumter courtesy fee and $95 fee for the card which I will cancel after the year.. Was well worth it to net $684.87 and now my wife will do the same. We have had well over 200 credit cards in the last 15 years 95% of which we have canceled, never paid a penny of interest, netted many thousands of $$$$ and our Fico scores are still in the mid 800's. There is a whole "industry" devoted to doing this.

My "everyday" goto card is the 2% Citi Bank double cash (no fee).

Chase rarely will waive a fee these days but if you are getting only 1% and paying a fee, dump it, you can do a LOT better.

Not using the Chase card these days so nothing to lose by waiting until they bill us for the fee.

Sams card remains our go to card. However if not going to spend much on traveling continues we will consider a better card.

We did like the free access to their lounge vis Chase. Great when we have long wait between flights especially coming home from Europe. That is worth a lot to us.

[Timothyimitchell]

The Citi Costco card is my cash back card. Great deal. Especially if shopping Costco.

[EdFNJ]

At least in Sumter County, starting today on 10/26/2020, you will be able to view and pay your 2020 tax bill and if paid in full by November 30, a 4% discount is applied.

Currently Chase is offering 80,000 Bonus Points ($1,000 towards travel) w/ $4,000 spent on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. Annual fee is $95. Excellent credit is required. The typical $8000 tax bill would incur a $200 credit card convenience fee charged by the county. Many other credit cards are posting similar deals, check slickdealsdotnet. ( $300 cost for $1000 travel credits. )

For those of us who are without an escrow account, would paying your taxes with a credit card make sense?


Yes, that is what I just did, same card, got it last week, however I don't see an $8000 tax bill as "typical." Maybe typical for where one lives but not typical for everyone. Our bill was $3020 inc bond. I guess living on the "other side of the tracks" has some advantages! :1rotfl:

[Stu from NYC]

The Citi Costco card is my cash back card. Great deal. Especially if shopping Costco.

When the new Costco finally open up down the road from the Hat factory will get their card.

[retiredguy123]

OMG, Dang Me! Why thank you! Yes it was! I will have to readjust my net amount by $15 from $60 to $75. I sit corrected. ;)
Ok, I get it. You think I'm nit picking. Sorry, I'm an engineer. I can't help it. But, I think it's outrageous that the county charges a "convenience" fee to pay taxes.

[Stu from NYC]

Ok, I get it. You think I'm nit picking. Sorry, I'm an engineer. I can't help it. But, I think it's outrageous that the county charges a "convenience" fee to pay taxes.

Not uncommon unfortunately. We came from Roanoke Cty and they did the same

[Mrprez]

It isn’t a convenience fee despite what they call it. It covers the transaction fees charged by the card processor.

[Velvet]

When I paid my Sumter county tax today they did not charge me a convenience fee. Is that because I used Citizens First Bank, I wonder? I did get the discount for early payment and this year’s property tax is almost the same as last years. Very happy that there was no great increase this year.

[Mrprez]

When I paid my Sumter county tax today they did not charge me a convenience fee. Is that because I used Citizens First Bank, I wonder? I did get the discount for early payment and this year’s property tax is almost the same as last years. Very happy that there was no great increase this year.

Did you use a debit card with a PIN number? They only charge $2.50 for that.

[Velvet]

Did you use a debit card with a PIN number? They only charge $2.50 for that.

I used the echeck option. I paid online. There was no extra charge of any kind.

[Mrprez]

I used the echeck option. I paid online. There was no extra charge of any kind.

They don’t charge a fee for echeck.

[EdFNJ]

Ok, I get it. You think I'm nit picking. Sorry, I'm an engineer. I can't help it. But, I think it's outrageous that the county charges a "convenience" fee to pay taxes. LOL! Understood. While I agree, it is only to use a credit card. If they didn't charge a fee you would be getting a discount on your taxes from the points they would have to pay to their processor. Then everyone who paid cash would complain they too should get a discount for cash! They use an outside processor and they CLAIM (I had spoken to them about it because I wanted to split the payment on 2 cards) they get nothing from the fee and do it as a "convenience" to make it easier for some folks to pay and for them to GET PAID with less delay. Credit card processors do charge a fee. 14 years ago it was 2.5+ % for our business. I'm sure it didn't change much. Up in NJ in our town there was a fee and my daughter has a fee in VA.

[bowlingal]

$8000 tax bill???? holy crap!

[Hiltongrizz11]

No it doesn't make sense. Pay yourself half the fee and call it a day. Debt is risky no matter the situation

[Travelhunter]

I didn’t see an indication of a discount
Does that happen after you enter your credit card information?

[Travelhunter]

I saw this on the Randy Musk website

PAYMENT OF REAL ESTATE TAXES

Tax statements are mailed out by November 1st of each year with the following discounts in effect for early payment:
4% if paid in November
3% if paid in December
2% if paid in January
1% if paid in February

[Sherrilee]

I can’t believe I sat here and read this all

[mtlee024]

At least in Sumter County, starting today on 10/26/2020, you will be able to view and pay your 2020 tax bill and if paid in full by November 30, a 4% discount is applied.

Currently Chase is offering 80,000 Bonus Points ($1,000 towards travel) w/ $4,000 spent on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. Annual fee is $95. Excellent credit is required. The typical $8000 tax bill would incur a $200 credit card convenience fee charged by the county. Many other credit cards are posting similar deals, check slickdealsdotnet. ( $300 cost for $1000 travel credits. )

For those of us who are without an escrow account, would paying your taxes with a credit card make sense?

I would never pay an annual fee for a CC, way to many great CC offerings for free and at low APR.

Why would you pay a $200 CC service fee when you can go in your cart to the tax office and pay by check with no fee.

[KRM0614]

At least in Sumter County, starting today on 10/26/2020, you will be able to view and pay your 2020 tax bill and if paid in full by November 30, a 4% discount is applied.

Currently Chase is offering 80,000 Bonus Points ($1,000 towards travel) w/ $4,000 spent on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. Annual fee is $95. Excellent credit is required. The typical $8000 tax bill would incur a $200 credit card convenience fee charged by the county. Many other credit cards are posting similar deals, check slickdealsdotnet. ( $300 cost for $1000 travel credits. )

For those of us who are without an escrow account, would paying your taxes with a credit card make sense?
That’s just stupid to pay your taxes by credit card the deals aren’t what they seem and the fee is a joke too

[EdFNJ]

I would never pay an annual fee for a CC, way to many great CC offerings for free and at low APR.

Why would you pay a $200 CC service fee when you can go in your cart to the tax office and pay by check with no fee.


Hmmm great credit card ??? $95 a year fee ( not so great I think) Bank of America no fee average a $1,000 to $2,000 cash back each year , they take out full payment every month from credit union , 50,000 limit 12 years never paid a dime in interest $200 fee ? For me it was $75. ;) You were missing the point. They GIVE YOU $840 when you get the card and spend $4000. Yea, it's a $95/yr fee + 2.5% charge from Sumter County, that IS AWFUL but you net FREE ~$685 or so. THEN YOU CANCEL THE CARD. Yea, $95 fee is terrible since you can get 2% cards for free. You just don't renew it after year 1. There are dozens of credit card deals like that out there but not quite like that one.

[EdFNJ]

$8000 tax bill???? holy crap! Yea, I can see $8G's taxes in some areas around here but it certainly isn't "typical" as posted by the OP.

[fastboat]

[QUOTE=FG111;1852601]At least in Sumter County, starting today on 10/26/2020, you will be able to view and pay your 2020 tax bill and if paid in full by November 30, a 4% discount is applied.

Currently Chase is offering 80,000 Bonus Points ($1,000 towards travel) w/ $4,000 spent on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. Annual fee is $95. Excellent credit is required. The typical $8000 tax bill would incur a $200 credit card convenience fee charged by the county. Many other credit cards are posting similar deals, check slickdealsdotnet. ( $300 cost for $1000 travel credits. )

For those of us who are without an escrow account, would paying your taxes with a credit card make sense?[/QUOTE

My wife and I just put away a specific amount each month for our tax bill and Home Owners Insurance bill. Works out find and most times we even get a little refund from our tax and insurance fund. Not about to pay some third party 100's of dollars to pay a bill when there's a much more sensible way of handling it. :coolsmiley::ho:

[Nucky]

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[44Apple]

The tax people are charging you what the credit card people are charging them. Don't want to pay the fee? Pay another way.

[Mrprez]

I will pay mine on the very last day via check. I earn more than 4% leaving the money invested.

[EdFNJ]

Not about to pay some third party 100's of dollars to pay a bill when there's a much more sensible way of handling it. If someone handed you an $850 cash or $1000 in travel gift if you paid the tax folks CC provider a $200 fee (in your case, but much less or much more for others) by using a credit card to pay your taxes would you accept that gift or refuse it?

[Pinball wizard]

When the new Costco finally open up down the road from the Hat factory will get their card.

The Susquehanna Hat factory???

[Pinball wizard]

If someone handed you an $850 cash or $1000 in travel gift if you paid the tax folks CC provider a $200 fee (in your case, but much less or much more for others) by using a credit card to pay your taxes would you accept that gift or refuse it?

Perfect explanation. No brainer.

I did it last year with Chase United Card. 100,000 miles.

[Stu from NYC]

The Susquehanna Hat factory???

Was wondering if anyone would get the reference.

Excuse me while I turn very slowly:bigbow:

[perrjojo]

Are you aware every time you open or close a credit card that it affects your FICO score? Did you know that even if you don’t use credit your FICO score even affects your insurance rates? Just an observation and not a judgement on what one should do.

[EdFNJ]

Are you aware every time you open or close a credit card that it affects your FICO score? Did you know that even if you don’t use credit your FICO score even affects your insurance rates? Just an observation and not a judgement on what one should do. If you are a "younger" person with not a lot of credit history/ageing you are absolutely correct. At our age it makes virtually zero difference assuming your credit is good to start. I (and my wife) have opened (and closed) well over 100 credit cards in the last around 10 years and have maintained a FICO always over 800 usually around 830. During that time time I have had a couple mortgage loans and auto loans with never a problem or a question since our balances and % of credit use is close to zero. The ONLY time I have been refused a credit card has been by Chase because they have a policy of no more than 5 hard inquiries over a rolling 2yr period but after calling their "reconsideration line" one was approved.When I bought a car last year the ONE idiot dealer where I purchased hit me with 5 credit inquiries from 4 oddball institutions + the manufacturer's credit company which was paid off anyway within 30 days. With all that my FICO dropped 11 points for 2 months.

So YES you are absolutely correct in some cases but at "our" age with long time established credit and good existing FICO it makes little or no difference but of course every person is different so YMMV.

[Pairadocs]

When the new Costco finally open up down the road from the Hat factory will get their card.

HAD to respond to this one, WHAT COSTCO ??? Closer than Winter Park ??? Gee, everyone has wanted that to happen for YEARS NOW !


:bigbow:

[Mrprez]

HAD to respond to this one, WHAT COSTCO ??? Closer than Winter Park ??? Gee, everyone has wanted that to happen for YEARS NOW !


:bigbow:

Might want to change the batteries in your sarcasm detector.😂😂😂

[Pinball wizard]

HAD to respond to this one, WHAT COSTCO ??? Closer than Winter Park ??? Gee, everyone has wanted that to happen for YEARS NOW !


:bigbow:

Congrats! You sucked one in!

:mademyday::coolsmiley::coolsmiley::mademyday::1ro tfl:

[NY2TV]

Unless you are getting an added bonus for having a new card, for most people paying by credit card is not the prudent thing to do. Even if your bill is only $3,000 you will pay a $75 convenience fee. Most credit cards get no more than 2% cash back which would be $60. So it is costing you $15. If you have the money in the bank (which I assume those of you who are paying the balance in full do) then just use the savings to pay the tax bill and save $15. If you don't have an escrow account, I suggest you open a separate bank account (one with no fees) and start putting 1/12th of your tax payment in account each month.

[EdFNJ]

Unless you are getting an added bonus for having a new card, for most people paying by credit card is not the prudent thing to do. Absolutely 100% correct however the first post in this thread was referring to an $800-$1000 bonus with a Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card after $4000 spend as a reason for paying taxes with a credit card. As usual message threads go way off the original track because people rarely read beyond the first few posts.