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Website FAQ

Common Website Questions:

  1. Is there a fee to pay vehicle renewal or property taxes online?
  2. Why is paying by Debit or Credit more expensive than paying by e-Check?
  3. What is an e-Check?
  4. Why is the convenience fee for Debit and Credit Card transactions a separate transaction on my bank statement?
  5. My bank account is showing multiple convenience fee charges. How do I get these duplicate charges removed?
  6. I want to use my Debit Card but the System keeps updating the payment method to Credit Card. Why doesn’t the system allow my transaction to process as a Debit Card?
  7. Can I pay for both property tax and vehicle registration in a single transaction?
  8. Can you make a partial payment?
  9. Can I use more than one payment method per transaction?
  10. I never received an email confirmation. How can I confirm my payment was successful?
  11. I made a payment by e-Check but the funds have not been taken out of my account. How long does it take for an e-Check to process if I pay online?
  12. Why was my e-Check returned?
  13. I received notification of a returned e-Check but the website shows I have nothing due. Do I really owe on the returned e-Check?
  14. I have completed my payment but cannot figure out how to log out of my account?
  15. Payment information that is stored on the site is incorrect. How do I correct?
  16. I never received a renewal notice so I don’t have my Web PIN. How can I get a duplicate copy of my renewal?
  17. I renewed my plates online but have not received my stickers. Has my renewal been processed?
  18. I have a charge on my account from a County Treasurer but I do not remember completing the transaction. How do I find out what the charge is for?
  19. What if this website is down or for some reason I am unable to use this site?

Answers to Common Website Questions:

  1. Is there a fee to pay vehicle renewal or property taxes online? (Back to Top)

Yes, a nominal Administrative Fee of $0.30 is charged for all completed transactions.  This fee supports the development, enhancement, maintenance and hosting of the Iowa Tax and Tags system.

For Credit and Debit Card transactions, a Convenience Fee is also charged which is paid directly to the card processor for merchant service fees.

Assessed Fees by Payment Method:

  • Electronic Check - $0.30 Admin Fee “cheaper than a postage stamp”
  • Debit Card - $0.30 Admin Fee + $3.25 Convenience Fee
  • Credit Card - $0.30 Admin Fee + 2.20% Convenience Fee    
  1. Why is paying by Debit or Credit more expensive than paying by e-Check? (Back to Top)

There is a substantial difference in the cost to process Credit or Debit Cards vs. an Electronic Check (e-Check).  An e-Check uses the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network to move funds which costs just a few cents per transaction to process.  Credit and Debit Cards process through the Card Networks which charges a percentage fee based on the amount of the transaction.  The current convenience fee that our payment processor charges is 2.20% for Credit Cards and a flat $3.25 for Debit Card transactions.   

The county treasurers understand that customers expect multiple payment options when paying online so we do offer Credit and Debit cards as payment options but the fee charged to process the transaction is passed onto the taxpayer who wishes to use this form of payment.

All businesses that accept debit or credit cards are charged merchant fees to process the transaction.  The only difference is that the fee is built into the price of goods and services which inflate prices for all customers including those paying by check or cash.  The county cannot raise taxes in order to absorb the merchant fees and therefore, in order to offer taxpayers the option of paying by credit or debit card, a convenience fee must be charged to cover the additional transaction cost. 

  1. What is an e-Check? (Back to Top)

An electronic check is a method of electronically transferring funds from your bank account to the county's bank account. We are not able to accept electronic checks drawn on savings accounts, money market accounts, IRAs, or credit card checks.

There is a non-refundable Admin Fee of $0.30 when paying by electronic check.

You may be assessed a surcharge for a dishonored e-Check not to exceed $30.00 as provided under Iowa Code section 554.3512 and 331.553(7). 

  1. Why is the convenience fee for Debit and Credit Card transactions a separate transaction on my bank statement? (Back to Top)

The convenience fee charged for credit and debit card transactions is charged directly by the card processor and is not deposited with the county. 

  1. My bank account is showing multiple convenience fee charges. How do I get these duplicate charges removed? (Back to Top)

Transactions completed by credit and debit cards are processed in two separate transactions.  The convenience fee that is charged directly by the card processor is charged first, just moments before the tax/vehicle portion of the payment.  If there is an issue processing the larger tax/vehicle amount (daily limit, non-sufficient funds, etc.) the convenience fee will be automatically voided by the processor.  The funds for the voided payment are released back to your bank right away but it may take up to 3 business days for your bank to make the funds available. 

  1. I want to use my Debit Card but the System keeps updating the payment method to Credit Card. Why doesn’t the system allow my transaction to process as a Debit Card? (Back to Top)

In a PIN-less debit card environment, such as the internet where your card is not swiped or a PIN entered, payment processors rely on what is called a Bank Identification Number (BIN), to determine how to process the card.

The BIN, also referred to as the Issuer Identification Number (IIN), is the first 6 or 8 digits of a payment card number (credit cards, debit cards, etc.). The numbers identify the institution that issued the card, the card brand and the card type (credit or debit).

The Card Type listed in the BIN detail is what the payment processor uses to determine how a card is to be processed in a PIN-less debit card environment.

Your Payment Method was changed because the Card Type for the card you are using is different than the payment method you selected. The reason we allow various payment methods to be selected is due to the fact that this situation does not apply in all cases. 

  1. Can I pay for both property tax and vehicle registration in a single transaction? (Back to Top)

No, IowaTaxAndTags.org currently does not support payment of both property tax and vehicle renewal in a single transaction. 

  1. Can you make a partial payment? (Back to Top)

Partial payments are allowed on Property Tax payments.  However, Vehicle Registration Renewals are required to be paid in full. 

  1. Can I use more than one payment method per transaction? (Back to Top)

No, IowaTaxAndTags.org currently does not support the use of multiple payment methods in a single transaction.  

  1. I never received an email confirmation. How can I confirm my payment was successful? (Back to Top)

An email confirmation was sent to the email address entered when completing your transaction.  Sometimes, confirmation emails are caught in a spam or junk folder, so be sure to check there first!  If it isn’t there, contact your County Treasurer and they will be happy to confirm your transaction and resend the confirmation email.

If you can’t wait for your County Treasurer to confirm your transaction was successful, you can confirm one of two ways: 

  • Successful payments are reflected in real-time, within the balances due that are listed on IowaTaxAndTags.org. To confirm a payment was successful, simply search for your Parcel or Vehicle information to see the current balance.
  • For Debit and Credit Card transactions, you can confirm the funds have been pulled from your account. 
  1. I made a payment by e-Check but the funds have not been taken out of my account. How long does it take for an e-Check to process if I pay online? (Back to Top)

Electronic check transactions typically take 1 to 5 business days to settle.  If there is a problem with your e-Check, you will be contacted directly by your County Treasurer’s Office to resolve the issue. 

  1. Why was my e-Check returned? (Back to Top)

When your electronic payment is returned, you will get notification from your county treasurer that includes the ‘Return Reason’.  The ‘Return Reason’ is determined by your bank and not by the county.  For more information on returned payments, go to our Returned e-Checks page.  

  1. I received notification of a returned e-Check but the website shows I have nothing due. Do I really owe on the returned e-Check? (Back to Top)

Your County Treasurer may not cancel your payment in the county system right away and depending on the return reason, may give you time to make good on the return prior to cancelling your payment.

  • Property Tax Returned Payments:  For returned e-Checks on property tax returns, the online balance due will not be updated until after the county cancels the taxes within the county real estate system.  It is important to follow the repayment instructions included in the returned e-Check notification. NOTE: If you have a returned e-Check on the 1st installment of a tax bill, paying the 2nd installment on IowaTaxAndTags.org will NOT make good on the returned e-Check.  The payment will be applied to the 2nd installment in the county's real estate system and the 1st installment will remain unpaid and subject to late interest.
  • Vehicle Renewal Returned Payments: For returned e-Checks on vehicle registration renewals, the online balance will continue to show as paid.  Be sure to follow the repayment instructions from your county treasurer.  NOTE: Failure to make good on your vehicle renewal returned payment will cause your registration to be cancelled within the State Vehicle System and no further renewal notices will be sent on the unregistered vehicle(s).  In addition, a STOP will be placed on your DOT record which will prevent you from titling or registering additional vehicles in the State of Iowa. 
  1. I have completed my payment but cannot figure out how to log out of my account? (Back to Top)

IowaTaxAndTags.org offers both a guest checkout option and a logged in user account option.

For the ‘Guest Checkout’ option, you are never logged into an account so to end your payment session, simply close your internet browser.

  1. Payment information that is stored on the site is incorrect. How do I correct? (Back to Top)

IowaTaxAndTags.org only saves customer information for those taxpayers who have signed up for a user account.  If you are a guest user (not logged into an account), and are seeing information being pre-populated in the payment fields (payer name, email, phone number and/or account information), the information is being saved by your internet browser, not the website.  To remove the information, you will need to clear the browsing data from your internet browser. 

  1. I never received a renewal notice so I don’t have my Web PIN. How can I get a duplicate copy of my renewal? (Back to Top)

Renewal Notices are created and mailed by a third party and counties do not have the capably to reprint renewal notices.  Fortunately, you do not need a renewal notice to renew online, you just need your plate number along with a Web PIN; Audit Number; or the Driver’s License Number of the primary owner.

The Audit Number that is included in the bottom left portion of your current vehicle registration. 

If you do not have your Web PIN; Audit Number; or the Driver’s License Number of the primary owner, you can contact your county treasurer to obtain your Web PIN. 

  1. I renewed my plates online but have not received my stickers. Has my renewal been processed? (Back to Top)        

Vehicle registration renewals are processed by your county and are typically processed and mailed on the next business day.  If you do not receive your registration renewal within 20 days, contact your County Treasurer to receive a duplicate registration sticker.    

  1. I have a charge on my account from a County Treasurer but I do not remember completing the transaction. How do I find out what the charge is for? (Back to Top)

IowaTaxAndTags.org processes vehicle renewal and property tax payments so a charge from your County Treasurer is most likely related to a property tax or vehicle transaction completed online, by phone or in-office.

Still not sure what the transaction is for?  Send an email to your county treasurer and include the following information so the treasurer can research further:

  1. Your Name
  2. Date of the Transaction
  3. Amount of the transaction
  4. The Last 4 Digits of your Account Number 
  1. What if this website is down or for some reason, I am unable to use this site? (Back to Top)

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, by phone or in the County Treasurer's office.