How to Easily Pay Your Bills to the City of Newton

Paying your bills on time is an important part of life. For many residents of Newton, Massachusetts, some of those bills come from the city itself. Paying your city bills ensures essential services can continue without interruption. However, the payment process doesn’t need to be complicated. Read on to learn how you can easily pay your City of Newton bills online, by phone, by mail or in person.

Online Bill Pay

The easiest way for most people to pay their City of Newton bills is online The city offers a quick and convenient online payment system through their website Here are some key things to know about paying your city bills online

• Access the online payment system through the City of Newton’s website. Look for the “Pay a Bill” link at the top of the home page This takes you to the online payment portal

• Through the online system you can pay your bills for property taxes, excise taxes, water bills, parking tickets and more.

• Your account number and any special PINs you need to pay certain tax bills online are what you’ll need. This information is on your paper bill.

• The online system accepts Visa, MasterCard and Discover credit and debit cards.

• Payments made online are usually processed the next business day You’ll get a confirmation email with details of the transaction

• You can opt to have your bills paid automatically each month by setting up recurring payments.

Paying online is fast, easy, and allows you to avoid lines or extra trips to city offices. I always recommend setting up online bill pay if possible. It saves time and gives you peace of mind knowing your payments are handled each month.

Pay by Phone

If you prefer to speak to someone directly, you can also pay your City of Newton bills over the phone. Here is what you need to know to pay by phone:

• Call the Treasury Department at (617) 796-1120 to make a payment.

• You can pay your property taxes, excise taxes, water bills, and parking tickets over the phone.

• You’ll need your account number and any special PIN ready when you call.

• Only credit and debit card payments are accepted over the phone.

• There is a processing fee for paying by phone with a card. The fee varies based on the type of bill being paid.

• Payments are usually processed the next business day.

Paying by phone is convenient if you would rather speak directly to a representative. Just be aware that fees apply when paying by credit or debit card over the phone. Still, it provides a quick way to pay on the spot.

Pay by Mail

Paying your city bills by mail is a simple option if you would rather send a physical payment. Here is how to pay your City of Newton bills by mail:

• Your paper bill will include a payment coupon and mailing address for payments.

• Detach the coupon and enclose it with your payment. This ensures your payment is applied correctly.

• Make checks or money orders payable to the City of Newton. Do not send cash through the mail.

• Use the mailing envelope provided with your bill or send to the address on the payment coupon.

• Payments are usually processed within a week of being received.

• Consider mailing your payment at least 5-7 days before the due date to ensure it arrives on time.

Paying by mail allows you to send a paper check or money order as payment. Just make sure to mail it early enough to avoid late fees if paying close to the due date.

Pay in Person

For those who prefer to pay their bills in person, you can visit the Treasury Department office to make a payment. Here are some tips for paying city bills in person:

• Payments can be made in-person Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm.

• The Treasury office is located at 1000 Commonwealth Avenue in Newton Centre.

• You will need to present your bill or bring your account number. Cash, checks, money orders and credit/debit cards are accepted.

• There are no additional service fees for paying in person with cash, check or money order.

• Credit and debit card payments do have a processing fee that varies based on bill type.

• In-person payments are processed the same day during business hours.

Paying in person gives you the ability to talk to a representative at the Treasury office and make your payment on the spot. This can be a good option if you have questions about your bill.

AutoPay and Recurring Payments

One of the easiest ways to ensure you never miss a City of Newton bill payment is to enroll in AutoPay or set up recurring payments. Here is how these services work:

• AutoPay automatically deducts the amount due each month from your specified bank account.

• Recurring payments let you charge your bill to the same credit or debit card each month.

• You need to enroll in these services through the online payment system or by contacting the Treasury office.

• Once enrolled, you don’t need to do anything further. Your bills are paid automatically on the due date each month.

• You can cancel or edit these services at any time if your account information changes.

Automating your city bill payments gives you peace of mind knowing they are handled each month. It also avoids late fees from forgotten bills. I highly recommend looking into AutoPay or recurring payments.

Late Payments and Other Fees

It’s important to pay your City of Newton bills by the due date to avoid any late fees or penalties. Here is some key information on late payments and fees:

• Bills not paid by the due date will incur late fees that vary based on the type of bill.

• Late property tax payments also accrue interest charges starting 30 days past the due date.

• There are also fees for returned checks and rejected electronic payments.

• Unpaid bills for water service or property taxes can result in liens being placed on your home.

• Parking fines double if not paid within 21 days and are reported to the state’s parking ticket system.

• Failure to resolve unpaid bills may result in collection actions.

Review your bills closely and be sure to note the due dates to avoid late fees. Setting payment reminders can help prevent accidentally missing a payment as well.

Payment Assistance and Hardship Programs

If you are having difficulty paying your City of Newton bills, there may be assistance programs available:

• The city offers payment plans for overdue property taxes and water bills in certain situations.

• Low-income residents may qualify for water bill discounts through the Senior Citizens Discount Program.

• The city partners with non-profits like Newton Community Pride on additional aid programs for qualifying residents.

• The city’s website has more details on bill assistance programs and eligibility requirements.

Don’t hesitate to contact the city’s Treasury office if you are experiencing financial hardship. There are resources available so your basic city services are not interrupted.

Helpful Contacts for Bill Pay Questions

If you need any help with your City of Newton bills, here are some key contacts:

• For general questions, call the Treasury Department at (617) 796-1120

• Email questions to [email protected]

• Speak to a representative in person at 1000 Commonwealth Ave in Newton Centre

• Contact individual departments like the Water Department for bill-specific questions

• Visit the city website at www.newtonma.gov for online resources

The staff at the Treasury office are available to help answer any bill pay questions you many have. Don’t hesitate to reach out by phone, email or in person if you need assistance.

Paying your city bills on time is an important responsibility. Fortunately, Newton offers quick and easy ways to pay online, by phone, by mail or in person. Sign up for automated payments to make bill pay even simpler. And if you need help, be sure to reach out to the available bill assistance programs and resources. Stay on top of your City of Newton bills with these tips and you can avoid late fees while keeping those essential services running smoothly.