property taxes, again :(

[Anonymous]

In need of some advice. I need to pay property taxes soon. What would be the best way to pay my property taxes? 3000 bucks I have a few general credit cards (no cash back). Could I do something creative like Walmart Bluebird to at least get some form of financial benefit out of paying out that cash? Thanks 

[Anonymous]

Why not just pick up a rewards card? You would be able to use it other places as well instead of getting 0 cash back. If I'm not getting paid to use a credit card, I wouldn't even bother. I would just use a debit card.

[Anonymous]

bluebird isnt gonna give you any real benefit either. Paypal debit card gets ya 1% back. Otherwise maybe pick up a quicksilver or a double cash, or something with a healthy sign up bonus would really maximize

[takeshi74]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Could I do something creative like Walmart Bluebird to at least get some form of financial benefit out of paying out that cash?

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Do they charge a fee for paying property tax with a card?

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your post. I hadn't thought about paying with a card, but I am going to check that out. I wouldn't mind the rewards at all. 

[Country_Feller]

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@takeshi74 wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

Could I do something creative like Walmart Bluebird to at least get some form of financial benefit out of paying out that cash?

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Do they charge a fee for paying property tax with a card?

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I have never been charged any fees and I pay my personal home and rental property taxes by cc.

[Anonymous]

What I feel certain is true is that some govt offices charge you fees and some don't.  Depends on your city and and state and county.  The OP should first find out what is the case where he lives.

A good rule of thumb is this.  If an entity has many competitors offering a similar service or product (e.g. an oil change or dinner at a Thai restaurant) then it will typically not charge you an extra fee for use of a credit card.  Because it doesn't want to lose your business.

But if it has a captive audience (the customer can't go anywhere else) then the entity may well demand that you pay an additional fee (to compensate it for the swipe fee it incurs when you pay with your CC).  Paying your taxes is a good example of this.  It's not like you have a lot of choices about who you get to pay your taxes too.  That's why, for example, you have to pay extra fees when you use a CC to pay your federal taxes.

There are exceptions to both.  But they tend to be exceptions that prove the rule.

[Kb109]

As far as rewards go, I don't know how you can get rewards for paying property taxes. I believe they register as a cash advance. I recommend using a balance transfer check to pay them. Write it out to yourself, deposit into bank, and send check for property taxes. You won't get any points/cash back rewards, but if you're lucky you'll have 0% interest for X amont of time. There is usually a 3% fee, though. Depending on which card you use.