Pike County’s new delinquent tax collection an early success

By TOM KANE

MILFORD, PA — If you live in Pike County and are delinquent in your taxes, you can now pay them by using MasterCard, Visa and American Express credit cards.

“People can pay in installments or all at once using their cards,” said Cynthia Gehris, Tax Claim Bureau director for Pike County.

Gehris made her remarks to the county commissioners at their meeting on July 6. .

The program has been in place since May 2, 2005.

“In a few months, we’ve collected $34,000, which is not a usual occurrence in such a short time,” Gehris said.

In May, Pike taxpayers owed about $10 million. Now, the figure is around $7 million.

“The credit card program was part of the reason why there are fewer delinquency,” Gehris said. “It’s working very well.”

“The debt is carried by the credit card company; the county gets its money right away,” said Commissioner Chairman Harry Forbes.

The three percent convenience charge associated with the use of credit cards also goes to the county, Gehris said.

Only delinquent taxes can be collected this way, she said.

“When it becomes common knowledge that delinquent taxes can be paid in this way, a lot more people will use the method,” Forbes said.

As for the payment of current taxes by non-delinquent taxpayers, Forbes said taxpayers cannot take advantage of the program.

“However, there’s a bill working its way through the state legislature to allow quarterly and monthly payment of taxes by all taxpayers,” he said. “Perhaps when that regulation goes into affect, it may be the next step to have the credit card method for everyone.”

In other board action, the commissioners announced that a public meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 20 at 7:00 p.m. at the Wallenpaupack Area High School by the Pike County Conservation District to discuss a possible Gypsy Moth Suppression Program for 2006.

For more information or to ask for a “Request for Treatment” form, call the conservation district at 570/226-8220 or visit the district’s website at pikeconservation.org .