Hempstead Town residents can now auto-pay taxes, officials announce

Hempstead Town residents can now automatically pay their property taxes through a new online payment system established by town tax receiver Donald Clavin.

The new program should make paying school and general tax bills easier for residents, Clavin said at a news conference Tuesday.

"That's what we should be doing in government, making it more convenient and finding ways to also save taxpayers money," he said.

Officials said the program is the first of its kind offered by a town or city on Long Island.

Residents interested in the program can set up auto payments from a credit card or a checking account. The fees for using the service are 2.35 percent for credit card payments and 90 cents for checking account payments, Clavin spokesman Mike Deery said.

The billed amounts are charged about 10 days before the taxes are due, ensuring participants will avoid late fees, Clavin said.

"It will give them the peace of mind that their taxes can be set up with a payment system where they don't have to worry," he said.

Clavin noted that private companies commonly offer auto-payment options.

"Government should function more like the private sector," he said.

Residents interested in participating in the service can sign up on the Hempstead Town website, hempsteadny.gov.