Independence County Tax Collector Paul Albert has teamed with two Arkansas companies, ACT and DataScout, LLC, to help the taxpayers of Independence County pay and review property through a ‘one-stop shop’ using the website www.actdatascout.com/independencear, according to a release from Albert’s office.
The site allows taxpayers to view current or delinquent statements and historical taxes; pay in real-time; change their mailing address; download a receipt, email the collector; and connect with Albert’s office’s Facebook for deadline reminders and courthouse closings.
For the past two years, ACT has been developing a web-based system for county collectors that consolidates the number of third party vendors on which a collector must rely to conduct their day-to-day business. The ACTCollect system serves as the collector’s daily software capable of taking payments; reconciling daily and monthly settlements; accepting credit cards in real-time; and many other aspects associated with the duties of the collector, the statement said.
The new system also provides many benefits to the taxpayers in several ways while creating efficiencies within the office. ACTCollect is directly connected to the collector’s ActDataScout.com public record website, which will now have the ability to accept credit card payments 24 hours a day.
Payments made at www.actdatascout.com/independencear are credited in real-time. Real-time credit card acceptance for delinquent personal property taxes will quickly allow for vehicle license renewal even if the collector’s office is closed. If the taxpayer provides an email address, a receipt will be emailed immediately.
“The decision to change software systems was not taken lightly,” said Albert. “However, at the end of the day, we are upgrading to a web-based system that will increase our technological capabilities, save the county money, reduce the reliance on many vendors working together, provide real-time credit card transactions, and give the taxpayers a more efficient system for paying online.
Albert asks that taxpayers have patience during this transition and not to hesitate to call his office at (870) 793-8823 or email him at collectorindependence@gmail.com if you experience any issues.
“There is no doubt we will experience some hiccups and potential issues during this conversion,” Albert said. “We believe the efforts of the conversion and potential speed bumps are worth the change.”
It is the Independence County Collector’s office’s goal to quickly respond and attempt to fix any issues that may occur during the transition.
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