Online Payment FAQ’s
Select a topic:
General
What are the benefits of paying a bill online?
Paying online with an electronic check or credit/debit card saves time, gives you the flexibility to pay how and when desired, and saves money (no more stamps, paper checks or envelopes), and eliminates dependence on the US Postal Service. Invoice Cloud will store your information for future use – but only if you choose to store it.
Is there one account number for all of my bills?
No, account numbers vary for the different tax types. For instance:
- Real Estate - Parcel ID
- Motor Vehicle and Boat Excise - Registration Number/License Plate Number
- Personal Property and Sewer Use - Account Number
If I pay different bills (i.e. property tax and sewer) do I need to register all of them?
Yes, one time registration is required for each bill type to access the resident portal. You need to register for each of the bill types and accounts you wish to pay online. If you own two parcels you will need to register both parcels. If you register your accounts with the same email and password you will get a list of account to choose from in your customer portal. Once the initial registration process has been completed, viewing and paying future invoices will be in place. Motor vehicle bills will not automatically show in your customer portal from year to year. You will need to register each motor vehicle bill every year.
Can I put my sewer bill on Auto-Pay, but keep my real estate taxes as a scheduled payment?
Yes, each bill type operates independently. When you sign up for Auto-Pay, you will be asked to select which bill type you want to put on Auto-Pay. Those bills selected will be paid on the last possible day to pay without penalty.
Using the System
How does the system work?
It is very simple. Here are the 3 steps taken by taxpayers:
- You receive email notification or access account via the town website by clicking on the “View or Pay Your Bill” button.
- Customer locates and views invoice and either enters payment information for a One Time Payment or registers to schedule a payment.
- Customer receives an email confirmation with their payment amount and payment process date.
I cannot locate my bill.
Please scroll down on the page to view the matching items at the bottom. Otherwise, try re-reading the instructions for the search criteria. You may be entering more than one search criteria for Real Estate or Personal Property bills, which may only require one out of two fields.
When I try to pay my bill, it asks for credit/debit card information and I want to pay by electronic check.
Under “How would you like to pay” click on the drop-down box and choose EFT Check.
Will I receive a confirmation that my bill has been paid?
Yes, however an email address is required to receive the confirmation.
Do I need to register to pay a bill?
Registration is not required for One Time Payments. One Time Payments require that you enter your payment information each time you make a payment.
Why should I register to pay a bill?
Registering gives access to all of your invoices regardless of type and all of the features of the payment portal. These features include the ability to view all current invoices, see previous invoices and payment dates, update your profile information, access the online customer service system, schedule payments for a specific dates, and sign up for Auto-Pay. By registering you also avoid having to enter your payment information each time you pay a bill.
How Do I Register?
Registering is easy and can be done when you make a payment. There are two ways you can make a payment.
When you receive an email notification that your bill is ready to paid, simply click on the “View Invoice or Pay Now” button. You will be directed to Tax Collector’s “Pay and/or View Bills Online” site, powered by Invoice Cloud. Once there, you will be given the opportunity to register or make a One Time Payment. If you choose to register, you will be asked to provide a password and accept the terms and conditions to use the system. The payment information you enter in your profile will then be securely encrypted and saved for your next visit.
You can go directly to the town’s website and click on the “Pay or View your Bill” button. You will then be directed to the town’s “Pay and/or View Bills Online” site, powered by Invoice Cloud. Once there, you will need to locate your account and be given the opportunity to register or make a one time payment. If you choose to register, you will be asked to provide a password and accept the terms and conditions to use the system. The payment information you enter in your profile will then be securely encrypted and saved for your next visit.
How do I find my account number to login?
Once you have registered, you will need only your email address and password to log in. To login the first time you use the system, you will need your account number or customer ID from your bill. The “locate your bill” screen gives instructions regarding the required information.
I forgot my Password, how do I find it?
You should click on “Forgotten Password?” at the bottom of the login screen. You will need your account number and email address to retrieve your password. If you’re unable to locate this information, you may call the Tax Collector’s office, and after verifying your identity, we can provide you with the information.
Can more than one person pay bills online for the same account?
There are two ways that payment responsibilities can be shared. If the other payer is part of your household, you may choose to share your login information with that individual. In a situation where personal financial data is not shared, you may forward your email notification to the individual, who will then click on the “View or Pay Now” button and elect to make a one time payment. They will need to enter their name, email address, address and payment information. They will receive the payment confirmation. You can verify their payment by viewing the invoices in your account. Anyone can pay any bill with an outstanding balance at any time.
Payment
What forms of payment can I use?
You can pay by credit or debit card or you may issue an electronic check from your bank account (checking or savings). Please check the town’s website for the credit and debit cards that are eligible.
How can I make a payment?
Yes, your bill can be paid in any of the following ways:
- Email notification based payment – click the “View invoice or Pay Now” button in your email
- Web based online payment – login to online bill pay via our website
- Phone payments – call (844) 200-2032, phone payments can not be made in the office.
Paper check – sent by whatever means you choose, including US Postal Service. Please note that payments made through online services other than the town’s must be received by the last day to pay in order to be considered on time.
What is a service or convenience fee?
A non-refundable fee added to an invoice to cover various administrative costs associated with billing and accepting payment.
Which bills can I pay online?
You can pay real estate, motor vehicle and personal property tax. You may also pay sewer use bills. You cannot pay sewer hook-up fees online.
What are the costs for paying online?
There are no signup costs or subscription fees. The non-refundable service fee when using an ACH transfer (electronic check) from your checking or savings account is $0.95 per transaction.
The non-refundable service fee when using credit or debit cards is a 2.99% fee or a minimum of $3.95. The service fee is automatically calculated based upon the type of credit card used and the dollar amount of the bill being paid and is shown on the payment page before you submit your payment for processing.
There are fees imposed by Invoice Cloud for returned payments, and your bank may charge you a fee based on the bank's fee schedule.
May I pay my tax bill by credit card at the Tax Collector’s office?
No, we don't currently accept credit/debit card payments in the office.
How should I enter my credit/debit card information?
The information you enter on the payment screen must be exactly the same as it appears on your credit/debit card. This information is required to authorize your payment.
Can I use more than one payment method per transaction?
Yes, you may use one payment method for part of the transaction and another payment method for other parts of the transaction.
How long does it take for a credit/debit card transaction to process if I pay online?
Credit/debit card transactions typically take 48 hours to settle. An authorization is issued immediately; however, it takes 48 hours for the money to be moved.
How long does it take for an EFT (electronic funds transfer) transaction to process if I pay online?
EFT transactions typically take 48 – 72 hours to settle.
What information do I need to make a payment?
If you are registered, the only information you need to have available to complete a payment transaction is your email address and password. If you make a One Time Payment, then you will also need your bank account or credit card information and your account number.
When can I pay?
You can make payment or review your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is always a good idea to pay or schedule a payment at least few days before the due date to allow for processing time.
Can I tell if my payment has been posted?
Yes, simply login to your account and select “View paid or closed invoices”. If you are a registered customer, you will receive an email notification.
Will I have online access to my account?
Yes, you will have 24/7 access to your account for invoice review and payment, payment history and customer service requests.
How long will my payment history be maintained?
24 months is the standard retention period. If you need more history please contact the Tax Collector's office.
Will I be able to print a copy of my bill?
Yes, each invoice is presented in PDF and HTML format. Electronic storage is recommended because it saves paper and has a beneficial impact on our environment.
How do I change my account information?
Simply log into your account and change any of your personal information under the My Profile tab. If you are unable to change some of your information, you may need to call the Tax Collector’s office and have them change it for you.
What is a partial payment?
A partial payment occurs when only part of an invoice is paid. Please contact the Tax Collector’s office for more information.
Why am I being charged a late fee?
If you feel that this fee has been assessed in error or you would like more information about late fee charges, please contact the Tax Collector’s office.
Advanced Features
What is Auto-Pay?
If you elect to opt in to Auto-Pay, it means that your bills will be paid automatically on the last day to pay without penalty using your default credit card or bank account. This will avoid any late fees and free you from having to remember when to pay.
Can I cancel Auto-Pay?
Yes, simply go into your profile and uncheck the auto-pay box that you had previously checked when you elected to opt into Auto-Pay.
I signed up for Auto Pay but do not see any information under “My scheduled payments.”
The Auto Pay date will not appear under scheduled payments. Auto Pay will be debited from the customer’s account on the last day to pay without penalty. Auto-pay is an automated process which pays your balance in full each billing cycle at 2am on the last day to pay without penalty; scheduled payments are manually entered by you for the date you choose for each bill you choose.
What are scheduled payments?
Scheduled payments are scheduled individually by you for each bill on your specified date.
Can I change a scheduled payment?
Yes, as long as it is changed before the date it was scheduled to be paid.
What if I already have auto-pay or a scheduled payment set up with my bank?
You will need to contact your bank and cancel your automated or scheduled payment before the payment is due (typically payments are made several days in advance of the last day to pay without penalty, so don’t wait until the last minute).
What is Account Linking?
Self Service Account Linking means that Payers are able to view and pay all open bills with a single transaction. When registering bills under the same email address, payers are given the option to link the related accounts within the service. Linked accounts provide the following efficiencies:
- Faster, simpler payments across bill types. For example, a customer with three real estate tax bills, two personal property bills and six motor vehicle bills can login to any one account and view, manage preferences (Auto Pay, Paperless setting etc.) and pay all of the accounts at the same time.
- Linked accounts can access the same encrypted credit card and bank account information, so payers only need to enter it once.
- Multiple first email notifications scheduled for the same day, are grouped into one email rather than sent separately, resulting in fewer notifications for taxpayers.
- Upon receipt of the email notification, the taxpayer can view or pay all bills together, including any open or unpaid bills from other bill types. This is particularly useful for customers with multiple parcels and multiple motor vehicles.
- Payment receipts are always sent out individually.
- Editing an email or password changes it for all accounts in the linked group, however, changing an address, auto-pay or paperless setting is only for the accessed account.
Getting Help
Who do I contact with questions about a bill?
If you are unable to find the information you need in your online payment history or open invoices, please call the Tax Collector’s office at 203-431-2779.
I accidentally deleted my current email notification, what should I do?
If you are registered, you can login via the town website and view the bill there, or you can call the Tax Collector’s office and ask them to resend the email.
What if this website is down or for some reason I am unable to use this site?
Please be aware that interest and fees will not be waived if this website is inoperable for any reason or if data entry errors occur. If the website is inoperable, payments can be made by mail or at the Tax Collector’s Office.
If I have additional questions or I am having trouble registering, who should I call?
The Tax Collector’s office at 203-431-2779 can answer most questions, but if the website is down or inoperable, please call Invoice Cloud customer service at 901-737-8686.
Security
Is my information secure?
Invoice Cloud uses the highest standards in Internet security. Account information displayed within the customer and biller portals is truncated to protect confidential data. Any information retained is not shared with third parties.
Are my credit card and checking account information safe when I pay online?
Absolutely. Invoice Cloud will safely store all of your financial information using Payment Card Industry (PCI) Compliant systems. This includes truncating (abbreviating) account numbers so that even the tax collector’s office does not see your complete account information.
What is PCI Compliance and why is it so important?
PCI stands for Payment Card Industry, and compliance with the industry standards is a requirement for those that accept the major credit cards and for software providers who have applications which involve the transmission and/or storage of credit card information. If breaches are found on systems that are not PCI compliant, the major credit card companies have the ability to levy significant fines on the offending parties.
Who has access to my account?
You and the Tax Collector’s authorized staff. No one will have access to your financial information as all account, routing and credit card numbers are truncated, so you never have to worry about security. As a security precaution, we don’t even show your full financial information back to you.