Ruling Re-Opens Local Tax Spigots at Maryland CUs

CUMBERLAND, Md. – A new ruling by the state treasurer’s office once again will allow area credit unions to accept payments for water and sewer bills, as well as tax payments. The ruling countermands an opinion rendered last summer that credit unions were barred from accepting such payments because they are not expressly allowed to do so–as banks are. But the state treasurer has ruled that credit union may continue to accept county payments, such as board of education activities funds, county property taxes, and water, sewer and refuse collection assessments. Officials in Allegany County, who requested the new ruling, plan to notify the area’s credit unions by letter. The second ruling was sought after numerous residents complained that they had been submitting payments at their credit unions for years and would be inconvenienced if the practice was barred.