Arkansans visiting state revenue offices will save a few bucks on credit card fees when they pay for state services — like renewing their driver’s licenses — after the state Department of Finance and Administration announced today it would take on some of the cost.
Credit card fees at state revenue offices have been 2.75% with a $2 minimum. Starting Aug. 1, the fees have been reduced to 1.6% with no minimum. The change is expected to save Arkansans more than $2.45 million each year, the department said in a press release Thursday.
The change will apply to transactions at the state’s 134 revenue offices. The agency already absorbs credit card fees on online transactions, department spokesman Scott Hardin said.
The reduction in credit card transaction fees is not a result of any change in the state’s arrangement with credit card companies but due to Gov. Sarah Sanders looking for “creative ways to streamline services,” department secretary Jim Hudson said in the press release.
“We owe our customers a great experience with as little cost to them as possible,” Hudson said.
The Department of Finance and Administration will also replace what it called outdated payment terminals with 800 new devices with chip readers by the end of the year.