A convenience fee equal to 2.5% of the tax amount due including penalty will be added to your total payment.
The convenience fee does not go to the County of Alameda.
The convenience fee is added to cover the fees charged by the credit card processor and banks,
which are based upon a percentage of the transaction. All credit card merchants pay these fees,
but commercial merchants can set the price of goods and services high enough to cover the fees.
They typically charge the same price for credit card, check, and cash payments.
The County of Alameda cannot raise prices to cover these fees nor can we absorb the cost.
We must collect 100% of the taxes due. Therefore, in order to offer our customers the option of
paying by credit card, we must add a convenience fee.