Warren expands tax payment options amid virus pandemic
Five methods available to residents
No one looks forward to paying taxes. But Warren Treasurer Lorie Barnwell has enhanced property tax payment options for residents to make the process safe and convenient during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It may sound like a little deal but it is a really big deal because this is one of the biggest bills most people pay,” said Barnwell. “And all of these payment methods that are available now will continue to be available even beyond the COVID pandemic.”
There are five methods available to residents for property tax payment — mail, drop box, online via the cityofwarren.org web site, by calling the treasurer’s office, and paying at any Warren branch of Comerica Bank. Barnwell notes there are many residents who prefer to pay in cash and, with Warren City Hall being closed, she felt it was important to continue to offer that option.
To pay at a Warren Comerica Bank, you must bring your tax coupon and cash, check or a money order for payment. You do not need to have an account at Comerica in order to use the tax payment service. Residents using this option will receive a receipt at the time of payment and the payment will go directly into the city’s tax account.
“We always had the option to pay some city bills at Comerica but we have expanded the program because of the pandemic,” said Barnwell. “We have a lot of residents that really want to pay in cash or really want that receipt right away and I’m glad they still have that option and can do it safely.”
In fact, many residents who had previously come to City Hall to make inperson payments have told Barnwell the Comerica option is much more convenient and that they are more than willing to continue to pay property taxes using that method.
“They can stay in their car at the drive through and everyone stays safe,” said Barnwell.
Barnwell notes there are two drop boxes: one behind City Hall and another at the Burnette Library branch at Civic Center South on Van Dyke Avenue near Nine Mile Road. Residents who pay via mail, drop box, phone or online can request a payment confirmation by emailing paymentconfirmation@cityofwarren. and asking for it to be sent to them.
“We are trying to be understanding that there are people who need to pay cash and are trying to make it as easy as possible for them to do that,” said Barnwell. “Also, if people are using a payment method they have not used in the past, we want to make sure they are comfortable.”
Prior to COVID-19, Barnwell
says mail and in-person were the two most popular methods for property tax payment. When the online payment portal was launched in 2019, $13 million in summer taxes were paid online; this year over $20 million summer taxes were paid using the online option.
“Part of that is COVID,” said Barnwell, “but I think it is also that residents are getting more comfortable with other options.”
Barnwell reminds residents that seniors aged 62 and over, veterans, and disabled residents making less than $40,000 per year have a deferred payment option available to them. This extends the date of payment to Feb. 14 without penalty and allows residents to make monthly payments which Barnwell says helps those on a fixed income.
The treasurer’s office also will be upgrading its method for depositing tax payments once they are received. Currently, deposits are prepared and taken to the bank by someone from the treasurer’s department with a police escort. The new software, which was approved unanimously by the City Council at Tuesday’s meeting, will allow the treasurer to process payments in the city’s system and make deposits to Comerica remotely.
“Those checks will clear faster and the controller and my office will be able to account for things faster and find problems quicker,” said Barnwell. “Plus there will be less police escorts to the bank which is safer and demands less use of police resources.”