The Assessor is required by the Louisiana Constitution to list, value and enumerate all property subject to ad valorem taxation on an Assessment Roll each year. The “ad valorem” basis for taxation means that all property should be taxed “according to value” which is the definition of ad valorem. The Assessed Value is a percentage of “Fair Market Value” or “Use Value” as prescribed by law. The Assessor’s Office must appraise and assess approximately 15,000 parcels of property. All public service properties are assessed by the Louisiana Tax Commission.
What does the assessor do?
What does the assessor do?
The Assessor is required by the Louisiana Constitution to list, value and enumerate all property subject to ad valorem taxation on an Assessment Roll each year. The “ad valorem” basis for taxation means that all property should be taxed “according to value” which is the definition of ad valorem. The Assessed Value is a percentage of “Fair Market Value” or “Use Value” as prescribed by law. The Assessor’s Office must appraise and assess approximately 13,000 parcels of property. All public service properties are assessed by the Louisiana Tax Commission.
The Assessor
DOES NOT RAISE OR LOWER TAXES
The Assessor does not make the laws which affect property owners. The Constitution of the State of Louisiana, as adopted by the voters, provides the basic framework for taxation, and tax laws are made by the Louisiana Legislature. The rules and regulations for assessment are set by the Louisiana Tax Commission. The tax dollars are levied by the taxing bodies, such as the Policy Jury, School Board, etc., and are collected by the Sheriff’s Office as Ex- Officio Tax Collector.
The Assessor’s Office has nothing to do with the total amount of taxes collected. The Assessor’s primary responsibility is to find the “Fair Market Value” of your property so that you may pay only your fair share of the taxes.
The amount of taxes you pay is determined by a “Tax Rate” applied to your property’s Assessed Value. The Tax Rate is determined by all the taxing agencies within a district, city, or parish, and those rates fixed by the Constitution. They include School District, Police Jury, Law Enforcement District, Fire Districts, etc. The Tax Rate is the basis for the budget needed or demanded by the voters to provide for services such as schools, roads, law enforcement, fire protection, etc. Tax Rates are simply those rates which will provide funds to pay for those services.
How is your assessment determined?
To arrive at “Fair Market Value” for your property, the Assessor must know what “willing sellers” and “willing buyers” are doing in the marketplace. He must also keep current on cost of construction in the area and any changes in zoning, financing, and economic conditions which may affect property values. The Assessor uses the three nationally recognized appraisal approaches to value, those being cost, income, and market. This data is then correlated into a final value estimate by the Appraiser. After your appraisal has been made, the appropriate percentage of value required by law is calculated as your “Assessed Value.”
Why does my taxes go up when my property tax has not changed?
There are two ways that taxes can go up without your property changing:
- Increase in millages by the Taxing Bodies (Police Jury, School Board, Recreation Districts, etc.) as approved by a majority of the voters in the Parish or District.
- Inflation – The Assessor is required by law to assess at current value, which is represented by the replacement cost of the improvement and market value or use value of the land. The same trend that affects us at the grocery store affects the value of your property-that being inflation. When you sell your property, inflation is the “Good Guy” who helps you get more for it. When the Assessor appraises your property for tax purposes, inflation becomes the “Bad Guy.”
What if i disagree with the assessor's value of my property?
As a property owner, you have a right to appeal your assessment. To appeal your assessment you must contact your Assessor’s Office. It would be helpful to provide information such as a recent appraisal, an opinion of value from a Licensed Realtor or any information documenting adverse conditions that may directly affect the value of your property. If, after discussing the matter with the Assessor, a difference of opinion still exists, you may appeal your assessment to the LaSalle Parish Board of Review. If the Board, after hearing your petition, agrees with the Assessor, you may appeal this decision to the Louisiana State Tax Commission. If the Commission agrees with the Board and the Assessor, you can then plead your case before the courts should you choose to do so.
How are taxes calculated?
Tax Rates are based on millages, bond issues, and fees that have been voted by registered voters in the various districts which have been established by the Legislature or Constitution. The tax monies collected for the districts go to pay for schools, roads, law enforcement, fire protection, and other services that the taxpayers demand and desire from local government.
To calculate the taxes on your property, you must take the Assessed Value, which is a percentage of “Fair Market Value”, and multiply it by the appropriate tax or millage rate to arrive at the amount due. If, as an example, you have $1,000 of taxable Assessed Value and the appropriate Tax Rate is 170 mills, you would pay $1000 X .170 = $170 in taxes. If your home is valued at $100,000 and Assessed at 10 percent, or 10,000, and you are eligible and have signed for Homestead Exemption, you would calculate your taxes as follows:
| Residential Example | $100,000 (Fair Market Value Land and Improvements) x 10% (Assessment Level for Residential Property) $10,000 (Assessed Value) -7,500 (Maximum Homestead Exemption) 2,500 (Taxable Value) x .170 (Parish Tax Rate 170 mills) $425 (Total Parish Taxes Due) |
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NOTE: The example is for Parish Taxes only as Homestead Exemption does not apply to City Taxes or extra “fees”. |
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| Commercial Example | $200,000 (Fair Market Value Commercial Improvements) x 15% (Assessment Level for Commercial Imp.) $30,000 (Assessed Value Improvements) $100,000 (Fair Market Value Commercial Land) x 10% (Assessment Level for Commercial Land) $10,000 (Assessed Value Land) $40,000 (Taxable Value Land and Improvements) x .170 (Parish Tax Rate 170 mills) $6,800 (Total Parish Taxes Due) |
Property Assessment
LAND
10% of “Fair Market Value”
RESIDENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS
10% of “Fair Market Value”
PROPERTY
Commercial and Personal property – 15% of “Fair Market Value”
(NOTE: Commercial land is assessed at 10% of “Fair Market Value”.)
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