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To the Editor, Asbury Park Sun,

Today I went to pay my taxes in Asbury Park.  I was pleased that the last quarter started the convenience of paying by credit card.  However, I was told that I had to input my own information. I was surprised but as I am a fairly fast typist set out to input my information on the computer.

This required 4 screens to include block and lot number, address, etc. and credit card on the last screen.  I put in my credit card number, and the amount due of $842.32 came up automatically.  However, along with my due amount of $842.32, there was an additional charge of $24.85 to process the payment.  I was shocked.  I was prepared for a nominal fee of $1 and some change, but this was ridiculous. Who receives this penalty? I have never been charged to use a credit card.

I called for help and a very nice woman came out, I quickly canceled the transaction. She said that the Council decided upon this process. I can’t believe that paying by credit card presents such a problem.  Consider that a higher quarterly tax would require a higher penalty as the rate is a percentage of the amount due.

Who devised this labor-intensive method to pay?  To add a ridiculous rate to the process adds insult to injury.  Is this how far Asbury Park has come?

Dolly Sternesky

Sunset Avenue

[This letter represents the opinion of its writer and is not representative of any opinion of the Asbury Park Sun staff. All readers are welcome to submit Letters to the Editor to news@asburyparksun.com for our consideration. For guidelines on letter-writing and submission, click here.]

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