CHARLESTON, W. Va. – Paying your state personal income taxes by credit card can now be accomplished because of a partnership between the State Tax Department, State Treasurer’s Office and Official Payments Corporation.

Official Payments is a private credit card payment services provider that gives West Virginia Taxpayers an option to use their Visa, Discover, American Express, or MasterCard to pay any personal income taxes due the state or business billing notice.

"We are continually trying to find ways to streamline transactions between the citizens of West Virginia and state agencies," said Tax Commissioner Rebecca Craig. "In today’s economy most people are comfortable with making payments with credit cards because their record keeping is centralized."

Official Payments Corp. offers people and business the ability to pay taxes by telephone or over the internet. The credit card provider charges a convenience fee based on the amount of the transaction. The fee is $1 for payments up to $40 and a 2.5 percent of the payment amount greater than $40. The state receives no part of the convenience fee.

"Each year a larger percentage of our population uses the internet to conduct business and we must keep pace with the changes so that citizens can make transactions from the comfort of their homes," said Treasurer Perdue. "These payments are instantaneous and paperless."

To make a payment by credit card, taxpayers have several options. They can call, toll free, 1-800-272-9829 or visit www.officialpayments.com. For telephone payments, enter the West Virginia jurisdiction code 5700 when prompted.

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