Where and how to pay your TEP bill
Tucson Electric Power (TEP) gives you four main ways to pay: online through their website, by phone, by mail, or in person at a payment location. The fastest and most convenient method is online at tep.com — you can log into your account and pay immediately without waiting for processing time. You will need your account number, which appears on your bill.
If you prefer to pay by phone, call TEP's customer service line at 520-623-8772. A representative can process your payment over the phone using a debit card or bank account. This method takes a few minutes and you get a confirmation number on the spot.
Mailing a check or money order is slower but works if you do not have online or phone access. Write your account number on the check, and mail it to the address printed on your bill. TEP typically receives mail payments within 5 to 7 business days, so plan ahead if your due date is coming up soon.
You can also pay in person at TEP's customer service offices or authorized payment locations around Tucson. Visit tep.com/pay to find the nearest location and its hours. Bring your bill or account number and cash, check, or debit card.
Key Takeaways
- Online payment at tep.com is the fastest option and lets you pay any time without calling or visiting an office.
- Phone payments through 520-623-8772 work the same day and give you a confirmation number immediately.
- Mail payments take 5 to 7 business days to reach TEP, so send them at least a week before your due date to avoid a late fee.
- In-person payment at a TEP office or authorized location is available if you prefer to hand over cash or speak to someone face-to-face.
- Your account number appears on your bill and you will need it for any payment method except in-person cash payments.
Setting up automatic payments to avoid missed due dates
Automatic payment removes the risk of forgetting to pay and incurring a late fee. TEP calls this AutoPay, and you can set it up through your online account or by calling customer service. You choose the date each month when the payment comes out of your bank account or is charged to your debit card.
To enroll online, log into your TEP account, go to the billing section, and select AutoPay. You will enter your bank account or card details once, and TEP will charge you automatically on the date you choose. Most people pick a date a few days after they get paid, so the money is there when the charge goes through.
If you set AutoPay to the same date as your due date, the payment may not arrive in time if there are processing delays. Instead, choose a date at least 3 to 5 days before your due date to give the bank time to process the transaction. You can change your AutoPay date or cancel AutoPay at any time through your account.
Understanding your due date and late payment fees
Your due date appears on your bill, usually 20 to 25 days after the bill is issued. TEP considers a payment late if it arrives after that date. A late fee is added to your next bill if you miss the due date, and the amount varies depending on your bill size — TEP charges a percentage of your balance rather than a flat fee.
If you know you will miss the due date, contact TEP before that date arrives. Customer service can sometimes work with you on a payment arrangement, especially if this is your first late payment. Calling ahead is much better than ignoring the bill, because TEP can disconnect your service if your account falls too far behind.
If your payment is already late, pay as soon as you can. The late fee is already on your account, but paying quickly stops additional charges from piling up and reduces the risk of service disconnection.
What to do if you cannot pay your full bill
If you are struggling to pay your TEP bill, you have options before your service gets cut off. TEP offers a Budget Billing Plan that spreads your annual costs into equal monthly payments, which can make bills more predictable and easier to budget for. You can ask about this when you call customer service or through your online account.
TEP also has a Payment Arrangement program for customers who fall behind. If you cannot pay your full balance by the due date, you can contact TEP to set up a plan where you pay part of the bill now and the rest over the next few weeks. This keeps your service on while you catch up.
If you are low-income, you may be able to get help through LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program), which is run by the state of Arizona. LIHEAP can pay part or all of your bill directly to TEP. Contact your local Community Action Partnership office or call 211 to learn about you meet the income limits and how to apply.
Reading your bill to find your account number and due date
Your TEP bill is organized into sections that tell you what you owe and when. At the top of the first page, you will see your account number — a string of digits that identifies your service address. Write this number on any check you mail and have it ready when you call to pay by phone.
Below the account number, look for the Due Date or Payment Due By line. This is the last day TEP will accept your payment without charging a late fee. Next to it, you will see the Amount Due, which is the total you owe for that billing period.
If you have a balance from a previous month that you did not pay, it will show as Previous Balance at the top of the bill. Your current bill amount is added to any unpaid balance, so the total amount due includes both. If you are on a payment arrangement, your bill will show how much of the arrangement you have paid and how much is left.
Updating your contact information and payment method
TEP uses your phone number and email address to send you reminders about your due date and alerts if there is a problem with your account. If you move, change your phone number, or want to update your email, log into your account at tep.com and go to the account settings or profile section. You can make these changes yourself without calling.
If you set up AutoPay and your debit card expires or your bank account changes, update that information in your account as soon as possible. An expired card will cause your AutoPay to fail, and TEP will send you a notice that the payment did not go through. You then have a short window to pay before a late fee is added.
If you do not have online access or are not sure how to update your information, call customer service at 520-623-8772. They can update your contact details and payment method over the phone in a few minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for an online payment to show up on my TEP account?
Online payments usually show as received within 24 hours, though TEP may take up to 2 business days to post the payment to your account. If you are paying close to your due date, pay at least 2 days early to be safe. You will get a confirmation number immediately after you submit the payment online.
Can I pay my TEP bill with a credit card?
TEP does not accept credit cards directly through their website or phone line. You can pay with a debit card or bank account online, by phone, or in person. Some third-party payment processors may allow credit card payments, but they typically charge a fee that TEP does not.
What happens if I pay after my due date?
A late fee will be added to your next bill. The amount is a percentage of your balance, not a flat fee. If you continue to miss payments, TEP can disconnect your service. If you have already missed a due date, pay as soon as you can to stop additional charges.
Can I set up AutoPay for a different amount each month?
AutoPay charges the full amount due each month, which changes based on your usage. You cannot set it to a fixed amount. If you want more control over how much you pay each month, you can pay manually instead or set up a Budget Billing Plan, which gives you the same payment amount every month.
Is there a fee to pay my bill online or by phone?
No. TEP does not charge a fee for online or phone payments made directly through their website or customer service line. Payments are free regardless of which method you choose.