Residents asked to use ‘contactless’ tax payment

TORRINGTON — The City of Torrington Tax Collector’s Office is urging taxpayers to take advantage of its available online payment platform to view and pay their bills during this period of increased social distancing due to COVID-19.

Torrington taxpayers can view and pay their real estate, personal property and motor vehicle taxes, as well as sewer usage fees, via the online platform provided by Electronic Bill Presentment and Payment provider Invoice Cloud.

“This easy-to-use, convenient method allows users to make onetime payments or schedule automatic payments by credit card or electronic check. Taxpayers can even pay by text message,” according to a statement.

Torrington City Hall is open, but taxpayers are strongly encouraged to pay taxes online. The Tax Collector’s Office has only one cashier available and with social distancing guidelines in effect, wait times will be significantly prolonged, according to the statement. The July tax bills were mailed on June 29 and technically are due July 1, but taxpayers have until Aug. 3 to pay without any interest or penalty.

“Online payments are a convenient way for residents to stay safe and make payments from home on their computer or mobile device,” said Torrington Tax Collector Launa Goslee. “When people realize how easy the online payment platform is to sign up for and use, they are embracing it.”

The Tax Collector’s Office is using Invoice Cloud to safely process online payments since 2018. Payments made by credit card include a percentage-based fee for use of the service, while payments made by electronic check have a nominal, 95-cent processing fee.

“With social distancing still having an effect on many day-today errands and transactions, more and more consumers are turning to online payment technology to easily take care of their bills,” said Bob Lapides, president of Invoice Cloud. “The online account setup is simple and then all it takes is a few clicks to process a payment using a computer or smartphone.”

For more information, contact the Tax Collector’s Office by phone at 860-489-2209 or visit www.torringtonct.org/tax-collectors-office.