MEDIATE RELEASE                                    
Friday, January 12, 2018                                

EXPLOSIVE GROWTH IN INTERNET TAX PAYMENTS
Tax Payment Deadline is Tuesday

(Columbia, SC) “We have the easiest ‘search and pay’ website in South Carolina and our citizens are using it in record numbers,” said Richland County Treasurer David Adams in revealing an explosive growth in internet tax payments.  “Our citizens are finding out just how easy we make it to pay taxes online and they’re taking full advantage of it.  Internet payments have doubled since 2012, and internet payment revenues have increased 226% in that time.”

There were 83,943 internet payments made in 2017, a 16.2% increase from 2016 and representing 16.0% of all tax bills collected.  The use of technology and payment options (including the addition of QR codes on tax bills with Auditor Paul Brawley’s Office) has helped the Treasurer’s Office maintain the same number of employees while increasing accuracy and efficiency, and allowing staff to individually help our citizens. 

Since 2012 the number of people paying in person at the Treasurer’s office has remained stable increasing only 2.1%.  

“More people are becoming comfortable conducting their business on-line, and they are finding just how easy we make it in Richland County to meet their tax obligations,” continued Treasurer Adams. “Nobody likes to pay taxes, but our office continues to give people options to help them find new ways to pay, and the numbers show we are succeeding.”

To make payments on-line 24 hours a day, visit: www.rcgov.us/treasurer    

 In-Office Payments    Internet Payments    Internet Revenues
2017    159,133                       83,943            $46,048,143.86
2012    151,941                       37,124            $14,106,144.40

One part of the new federal tax law is sending some taxpayers rushing to pay their taxes early.

RICHLAND COUNTY, SC (WIS) -Threats by the Department of Revenue to shut off money generated from the Penny Tax could have a severe financial impact, according to the Richland County Treasurer.

The Richland County Treasurer’s Office in conjunction with the Richland County Information Technology Department created the QR Codes that Auditor Paul Brawley added to tax bills in October of 2013.  This month, the Treasurer’s Office is proud to announce over $1 Million has been paid using this method.

Richland County announced that the South Carolina Department of Revenue approved its plan to extend property tax payment deadlines (for non-vehicle taxes) an additional 30 days.  The plan to delay the mailing of tax bills by Auditor Paul Brawley, and to delay the additional penalties by Treasurer David Adams, was unanimously supported by Richland County Council on Monday, October 12th.