Show All Answers

1. What is the Easy Pay Program?

The Easy Pay program allows Chesapeake residents the ease and convenience of pre-authorized monthly tax payments. Payments are automatically deducted monthly or on the due date from your bank account as you direct for real estate taxes, retiree insurance premiums, or stormwater fees. Never worry again about missing a due date.

2. How does it work?

Upon completion of the authorization form, the City notifies your financial institution of the amount that will be debited from your account. Your financial institution withdraws this amount as you direct and forwards it to the City.

3. When will my account be debited?

If you authorize monthly payments, the debit will occur on the fifth (5th) of the month. If you authorize payment on the due date, your account will be debited on the due date of the bill.

4. After I submit my enrollment form, how long will it take before my account is debited?

Sixty (60) days. It takes 30 days for the pre-note verification (bank account verification), and the following month your account can be debited.

5. Must my monthly payment be estimated by the City or may I select a monthly payment figure?

The Treasurer's Office configures your monthly debit based on your yearly real estate taxes in order for taxes to remain current and assure payment in full.

6. How much will it cost me to sign up for this service?

There is no charge from the City. In fact, you will save by not paying for checks or money orders, and you will save postage costs if you currently mail in your tax payments.

7. How will I know that my financial institution paid my bill?

The automatic payment plan works like a check in every way. Instead of receiving a canceled check with your monthly bank statement, the payment will appear as a line item on your statement in the same way that automated teller transactions appear.

8. What if my Easy Pay debit is declined by my bank due to non-sufficient funds, closed account, etc.?

The City will treat this the same as a returned check. A $35.00 returned item fee will be charged in addition to any fees your financial institution may charge. After two returned debits, you will be removed from the Easy Pay program.

9. What do I do if I change financial institutions or move from one location to another?

Contact the Treasurer's Office in writing prior to the first of the month to ensure that changes are made to the current month's debit. Please provide your new savings, checking, or credit union account number, or your address change information. If your Easy Pay debit is declined due to a closed account, a $35 returned item fee will be assessed to you in addition to any fees charged by your financial institution.

10. What if the amount of my bill changes?

We will notify you in writing that your tax amount has changed.

11. Can I cancel Easy Pay at any time?

Written notification must be received prior to the first of the month to ensure stopping the pre-authorized debit.

12. Since the City operates on a fiscal year of July to June, when is the best time to sign up for Easy Pay?

Applications are accepted during open enrollment in April, May, and June. Monthly debits are deducted from August through May for current-year taxes. Quarterly debits are deducted on the due date for each quarter.