Staff photo - LeAnne Akin At the computer in her office, Tax Commissioner Melinda Williams views an ad valorem tax bill which can now be paid online

While paying taxes may be the unpleasant parting of you from your money, get ready for the convenience of online payment of your Barrow County ad valorem taxes.

And soon, your vehicle tag renewals can also be handled online, according to Barrow County Tax Commissioner Melinda Williams.

Williams' offices has been working with the county's Information Technology (IT) department, headed by Sebastian Ododa, to put the finishing touches which enable Barrow County business and property owners to pay their tax bills online at www.barrowga.org

Now live, the site allows citizens and businesses to search their bills by name, parcel numbers or addresses. The site also allows viewing and/or printing your respective bills online as long as you have an Internet connection. The information available is real-time, said Williams, who is pleased to have the convenience available for customers who otherwise would come into the office or mail in their payment.

If your total bill is $40 or less, a $1 convenience fee will be added to your bill. For amounts over $40, a convenience fee of 2.5 percent will be added to the tax bill using the online payment method. The mode of payment includes Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover cards.

"The county is working very hard in providing and delivering convenient services to its citizens," said Williams, who compliments Ododa on his persistence at seeing the project through.

"We are very excited with the direction the county is taking in using its resources to harness and utilize the power of technology in providing real time, convenient and efficient services to our citizens," said Williams.

Vehicle tag renewals will start online beginning for those whose birthdays are in September. Williams said once the availability of tag online renewal is available, the link will be added to the county's website to take you to the Georgia Department of Revenue site. You will seek out Barrow County and then access your tag bill by using a Renewal Identification Number (RIN) which will be included on your mailed prebill.

Currently, 45 of Georgia' 159 counties, including Walton, Hall, Gwinnett and Clarke, are currently equipped for online tag renewals.

Williams said those with September birthdays should be able renew online during August.

The local tag office would download information from the State about the previous day's renewals and print out and mail the documents to the individual. The funds would be direct deposited into the county's account, providing convenience and accuracy.

Especially for those Barrow Countians who work out of town, Williams said the convenience of online tag renewal and ad valorem tax payment could help avoid late penalties.

Those renewing tags online can use a debit or credit card. Those paying in the office are assessed a $1 fee for debit card use and 3 percent for credit card use.

For Williams, who has worked in the tax office for 23 years, the technology of computers has proved a time saver.

"I remember when we had to type out all those tag forms when people came into the office," said Williams, who also recalls looking through boxes and boxes of property tax bills.

The mailing out of tag prebills for birthday renewals was another time-saving advance for the tax and tag offices across Georgia, says Williams. World Marketing has the state contract for that endeavor.

To contact and get more information about online payment services offered through the Barrow County website, visit www.barrowga.org or call (770) 307-3106 about Property Tax Payment or Vehicle and Tag renewal payment.

You can also pay speeding tickets online at www.barrowga.org. Direct questions about traffic fines to Barrow County Probate Court at (770) 307-3045 ext. 4469.

Originally published Sunday, June 29, 2008