Third Party Firm Helps US Collect Tax Revenues

by Mike Godfrey, Tax-News.com, New York

10 January 2002

Official Payments Corporation has reminded US taxpayers that the fourth instalment of Federal Form 1040ES Estimated Tax Payments for tax year 2001 is due January 15, 2002, and says that it is accepting credit card payments for these taxes through midnight on the 15th via www.officialpayments.com and 1-800-2PAY-TAX(SM). Use of these systems for federal estimated payments eliminates the need to mail in a paper form.

In addition, Official Payments processes State Estimated Tax payments for tax year 2001 in the following 13 states: AL, CA, CT, IL, KS, MD, MN, NJ, NY, OH, OK, VA, and WI, as well as the District of Columbia.

Official Payments has agreements with the Internal Revenue Service, 20 state governments, the District of Columbia and more than 1,000 county and municipal governments across the United States to collect a variety of credit card payments for taxes and fees. In 2000, Official Payments collected and processed over $925 million in federal, state and local government payments.

American Express(R), Discover Card(R) and MasterCard(R) are the cards accepted by the federal and state programs. Taxpayers using cards with bonus rewards programs can, depending on their card's program, earn rewards, points, cash back or airline frequent flyer miles for paying their taxes.

Official Payments Corporation is the leading provider of electronic payment options to government entities. Citizens are now using Official Payments Corp. to pay government taxes and fees on federal, state, and local levels. Using trusted and proven systems, says the firm, consumers are paying everything from federal income taxes to speeding citation fees, via Internet and telephone. Official Payments Corp. is dedicated to enabling government payments via the fastest, smartest, most secure methods available.

Says the company: 'By working as a partner with federal, state, county, and municipal government entities, Official Payments Corp. brings the highest level of safety and security to its systems. We work directly with our government partners including the Internal Revenue Service, 20 states, the District of Columbia and 1000+ municipalities to design systems around four core concepts: security, reliability, audit capability and customer service.

' For our clients, we process a variety of payments including estimated, extension, balance-due, and past-due personal income taxes; sales and use taxes; business license fees; real estate, personal property and school district taxes; unemployment and disability taxes; college tuition and fees; fines for speeding and other traffic rule violations; fines for parking rule violations; and water, electricity, and gas bills.

' Initially, citizens made their payments via our Interactive Voice Response (IVR) toll-free telephone payment system. In 1999 we added an Internet capability, enabling citizens to make payments and gain customer service information over our Web site. As a partner of both consumers and government, Official Payments Corp. is committed to making all types of payments to the government go fast, smart, and safe.'

Recommended