Debit card processing fee for Fairfax Co property tax... (credit, purchases)

[USAFReb]

So I just paid my wife's car tax online with a debit card. The county charged me something like $4 for a "processing fee". I though this new law prevented banks from charges these fees?? If that's the case...why if Fairfax Co. charging a processing fee?? I thought the banks' losses were supposed to be the consumer's gains???

[boyd888]

Third Party Processor FAQ's*- Fairfax County, Virginia

Fairfax County uses a third party processor for credit/debit payments. The $4 is charged by the processor as their fee for their service.

It has nothing to do with banks. Don't like it? Mail a check next year.

[USAFReb]

Yeah...been to that website before. I also know the third party processor is not paying as much swipe fees as they used to...just wondering why/if the reduction will be passed on to the taxpayer or if the third party guys just get a bump in profits. Also...thanks for the "cute" reply about mailing a check...uncalled for, but cute none the less...

[pcity]

You can pay it directly from your checking account online (the "e-check" option) and there are no fees.

This is the way it works for just about every government entity or utility. There is always an extra fee for credit/debit- there are costs associated with processing those transactions and it wouldn't be fair to distribute those costs to the other taxpayers. E-check is almost always free.

[USAFReb]

I usually use the e-check, but for some reason it didn't go through this time, so I just paid with the debit card. The fee is no big deal for an "every once in awhile" payment, I was just wondering when the impact of the new regulations might kick in. They way it looks is some banks will be charging monthly debit card fees to make up for lost revenue, while retailers/third party processors continue to charge the same prices.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by USAFReb

I usually use the e-check, but for some reason it didn't go through this time, so I just paid with the debit card. The fee is no big deal for an "every once in awhile" payment, I was just wondering when the impact of the new regulations might kick in. They way it looks is some banks will be charging monthly debit card fees to make up for lost revenue, while retailers/third party processors continue to charge the same prices.

I received a notice that Well Fargo is dropping the rewards program associated with business debit card purchases as a result of the new law. They apparently can't afford it with the lower fees.

[USAFReb]

My USAA debit card did the same, and I assume it was for the same reason.