Selma property owners can now avoid lines by paying property taxes online in just a matter of clicks.

The City of Selma Tax and License Department has launched a new website for property owners to pay their taxes online at www.selmatax.com.

“We do want to provide a better customer service for our customers,” said tax and license director Kim Lewis.

Lewis said the new service has been implemented to give customers a different method of payment as well as to avoid lines.

“That’s one of the main factors,” said Mayor George Evans. “On tax day or tax week, people will bring out chairs sometimes just to sit down.”

Lewis said the website has been active for two months and people seem to like it.

There is no registration process to use the online service. First time users will have to accept a disclaimer. Afterwards, a popup will appear and explain how to use the site.

Customers just simply enter their name, account number or parcel number into the search bar to find their account.

From there, they can select their lot and make a payment through PayPal and print a receipt if needed.

“It will tell you whether or not those taxes were paid or if they are currently delinquent,” Lewis said.

The site also gives a tax breakdown and details on the lot. Due date and previous payment dates are also given.

A small fee is added to use the online service. The fee is 2.2 percent plus 30 cents per transaction. There is no charge to view property records. Lewis said the fee is what PayPal charges business per transaction.

Evans believes this service will be useful for the elderly and residents who have busy schedules.

He said this is just one of the ways the city is providing a better quality of life and hopes to be able to provide more services in the future.

“Years ago everything was done manually, and now we can do it technology wise,” Evans said. “We’re making progress. A little bit at a time, but we’re making progress.”

For more information about the site, call the tax and license department at (334) 874-2112.