Convenience Fees

Anne Arundel County has partnered with Official Payments Corporation (OPC) to facilitate automated payments online for Real Estate, Utility and Personal Property bills. OPC assesses a convenience fee each time the service is used. Official Payments, Inc. is the same company used by the IRS, the State of Maryland, and many other government entities around the state of Maryland and the rest of the country.

>> Schedule of Convenience Fees 

Anne Arundel County receives no money from this convenience fee. Unlike a private for-profit business, the Anne Arundel County Government cannot absorb this fee as cost of doing business, or increase fees to all users to cover these costs. Credit card companies charge fees, usually absorbed by the business and factored into the price of the goods or service they charge consumers. Federal law prohibits charging two sets of prices or charging credit card users more for goods and services.

Anne Arundel County chose not to have taxpayers who use cash subsidize those who use credit.

We will continue to provide Anne Arundel County customers with the ability to make payments in person or by mail without any fee. Paying a convenience fee is a choice made only by those who chose to use the services of the Official Payments Corporation. We will always continue to accept payments by mail or in person.