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Assessors Office in Orleans Parish For 152 years, Orleans Parish operated under multiple Assessors. On January 1, 2011, Orleans Parish joined the rest of Louisiana in having only one Assessor. e Assessor today increasingly uses publicly-accessible online data systems to value property and maintain property records so that tax equity is achieved through a uniform, transparent and automated system. Every Property in Orleans Parish has value is is what the Assessor’s Office does: Place a value on land, homes, commercial buildings and other taxable property in Orleans Parish as fairly and accurately as possible. Fair value is the basis for fair taxation A uniform, transparent and automated property valuation system makes sure every property owner in Orleans Parish pays their fair share—no more or no less--to build and maintain a quality community. Actual property value v. Assessed value According to the State Constitution, 10 percent of the fair market value of your home can be assessed for property taxes. For example, a $100,000 home has an assessed value of $10,000. is is the value to which the millage tax rate is applied. Property taxes are levied by what is known as a “millage rate” One “mill” is one-tenth of one percent or .001. Voters set the tax rate on property Voters approve the rate by which various taxing authorities, such as the City of New Orleans or the Orleans Parish Public School System, levy taxes on residential and commercial properties. Some neighborhoods have voted to levy additional fees for their geographic district to support enhanced security, economic development or other special purposes. Two examples are the Downtown Development District and the Garden District Security District. There are 14 different public authorities that receive a portion of property taxes collected in Orleans Parish e largest beneficiary of property tax collections is the Orleans Parish School Board. e Honorable Erroll G. Williams is your Tax Assessor in Orleans Parish There is never a line “online” At www.nolaassessor.com, anyone has instant access to every property’s value in Orleans Parish. A tax estimator is also available at this site to help a taxpayer calculate real estate taxes. Taxpayers can also download important forms that must be completed and filed in person at the Assessor’s Office located on the fourth floor of City Hall, 1300 Perdido St., in downtown New Orleans. Office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday excluding holidays Contact the Assessor’s Office at: (504) 658-1300 FX (504) 504-658-1303 1300 Perdido Street | City Hall Room 4E01 | New Orleans, Louisiana 70112 What are property taxes? Property taxes are used to fund capital improvements, such as street repairs, public schools, and to keep government services, like police and fire, operating.

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Page 1: Assessors Office in Orleans Parish - NOLA.commedia.nola.com/politics/other/newsletter1.pdf · The largest beneficiary of property tax collections is the Orleans Parish School Board

Assessors Office in Orleans Parish

For 152 years, Orleans Parish operated under multiple Assessors. On January 1, 2011, Orleans Parish joined the rest of Louisiana in having only one Assessor. The Assessor today increasingly uses publicly-accessible online data systems to value property and maintain property records so that tax equity is achieved through a uniform, transparent and automated system. Every Property in Orleans Parish has valueThis is what the Assessor’s Office does: Place a value on land, homes, commercial buildings and other taxable property in Orleans Parish as fairly and accurately as possible. Fair value is the basis for fair taxationA uniform, transparent and automated property valuation system makes sure every property owner in Orleans Parish pays their fair share—no more or no less--to build and maintain a quality community. Actual property value v. Assessed valueAccording to the State Constitution, 10 percent of the fair market value of your home can be assessed for property taxes. For example, a $100,000 home has an assessed value of $10,000. This is the value to which the millage tax rate is applied.

Property taxes are levied by what is known as a “millage rate” One “mill” is one-tenth of one percent or .001. Voters set the tax rate on propertyVoters approve the rate by which various taxing authorities, such as the City of New Orleans or the Orleans Parish Public School System, levy taxes on residential and commercial properties.

Some neighborhoods have voted to levy additional fees for their geographic district to support enhanced security, economic development or other special purposes. Two examples are the Downtown Development District and the Garden District Security District.

There are 14 different public authorities that receive a portion of property taxes collected in Orleans ParishThe largest beneficiary of property tax collections is the Orleans Parish School Board.

The Honorable Erroll G. Williams is your Tax Assessor in Orleans Parish

There is never a line “online”At www.nolaassessor.com, anyone has instant access to every property’s value in Orleans Parish. A tax estimator is also available at this site to help a taxpayer calculate real estate taxes. Taxpayers can also download important forms that must be completed and filed in person at the Assessor’s Office located on the fourth floor of City Hall, 1300 Perdido St., in downtown New Orleans.

Office hours:8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.Monday through Friday excluding holidays Contact the Assessor’s Office at:

(504) 658-1300

FX (504) 504-658-1303

1300 Perdido Street | City Hall Room 4E01 | New Orleans, Louisiana 70112

What are property taxes?

Property taxes are used to fund capital improvements, such as street

repairs, public schools, and to keep government services, like police and

fire, operating.

Page 2: Assessors Office in Orleans Parish - NOLA.commedia.nola.com/politics/other/newsletter1.pdf · The largest beneficiary of property tax collections is the Orleans Parish School Board

Orleans Parish Taxing Authority/Purpose &Rate of Millage Levied (2011)City of New Orleans, Fire and Police ............6.40City of New Orleans, General .....................15.10City of New Orleans, Public Library ............3.14Board of Liquidation ....................................25.50Sewerage and Water Board ..........................16.43Audubon Institute, Zoo .................................0.32Audubon Institute, Aquarium ......................2.99Board of Assessors ..........................................0.00 (now collected in City General)School Board .................................................44.12Levee Board, Orleans East Bank District ..11.67Levee Board, Algiers District ......................12.76Law Enforcement District .............................2.90Economic Development ................................1.82Parkway and Recreation Department ..........3.00Capital Improvement .....................................1.82Street and Traffic Control ..............................1.90Police and Fire ...............................................10.47 (not covered by Homestead Exemption) Total Eastbank, Orleans .............................147.58Total Westbank Orleans .............................148.67 How does the Assessor determine a property’s value?A variety of tools are used to assess a property’s value, based on whether the property is residential or commercial, and whether or not the property produces income for the owner. When accurate and sufficient data is available, analyzing the sales prices of homes within a neighborhood is useful for setting residential value. However, depreciation schedules, construction costs, income and expense data may also play a part when determining a property’s value. ExemptionsA property owner may be exempt from a portion of property taxes if certain circumstances apply. The most common exemptions are for homeowners and non-profit organizations. The Homestead ExemptionA “domicile” is one’s permanent, owned residence. A person can have only one domicile. Every homeowner in Orleans Parish is able to claim an exemption from property taxes for the first $75,000 of value of their “domicile” or the home they occupy as their primary residence. The State Constitution Guarantees a Homestead Exemption for each eligible Louisiana Homeowner The Homestead Exemption was set by voters in 1980 at $75,000 and is sanctioned by Article VII, Section 20 of the Louisiana Constitution. The Homestead Exemption is permanent as long as the individual owns and resides at that property in Orleans Parish.

For example, the first $75,000 of a $100,000 home is exempt from all property tax millage, except for 10.47 mills dedicated to police and fire services in Orleans Parish. See the example below to calculate the property taxes on a $100,000 home.

Calculating your Property TaxesBecause of special security or development taxing districts levied by individual neighborhoods in Orleans Parish, as well as a special police and fire millage which is never exempt from payment by any homeowner, the best way to calculate your property taxes is to use the online tax calculator at www.nolaassessor.com.

The following sample property tax worksheet uses 2011 Orleans Parish millage rates and a home valued at $100,000. Orleans Parish millage rate, EastbankNo security district

Parish Millage Rate 0.14758Fire & Police .01047 Property Tax Calculation Sample

$100,000.00 Sales Price x 10% $ 10,000.00 = Assessed Value - 7,500.00 Less Homestead Exemption $ 2,500.00 = Taxable Value

$ 2,500.00 x .14758 $368.95 = Base Tax $ 10,000.00 (Orleans Parish Police & Fire x .01047 tax on “exempt” value) $104.70

$ 368.95 Property Tax + $ 104.70 + Police & Fire = $473.65 = Total Tax

Page 3: Assessors Office in Orleans Parish - NOLA.commedia.nola.com/politics/other/newsletter1.pdf · The largest beneficiary of property tax collections is the Orleans Parish School Board

One Home, One Homestead ExemptionA Homestead Exemption cannot be applied by one individual to more than one residential property in Orleans Parish. Nor does a Homestead Exemption apply to a property that an individual owns but is not their domicile. For example, someone cannot live in Atlanta and apply a Homestead Exemption to a home they own in Orleans Parish.

Factors that causes your property value to changeYour property can gain or lose value based on whether you make additions to the property. Maybe part of the property is destroyed in a fire. Or perhaps the neighborhood’s value decreases when a major industry leaves town. Perhaps national circumstances, like inflation, cause the prices on homes to rise. Property values and their assessed value will change. Changes in property values do not impact the property tax rateRemember, taxing authorities set the rate at which property is taxed. Assessors estimate the value of the property. If your property’s value increases, and the tax rate remains the same, you will most likely pay more property taxes because the calculation of the tax on more valuable property yields more revenue. Seniors and Adults with Disabilities: Special Assessment ProgramHomeowners over 65 years of age or homeowners with a documented disability may be able to “freeze” the value at which their home is assessed, if they meet certain conditions. The tax millage rate is applied to this frozen property value. This Special Assessment or “abatement” is permanent unless the individual dies or sells the property. The homeowner will receive an annual notification from the Assessor reconfirming the Special Assessment.

Age-related abatements or “freezes” must be documented by:1. a valid driver’s license and/or government photo ID; and,2. proof of income. Disability-related abatements must be documented by:1. a valid driver’s license and/or government photo ID; and,2. signed medical documentation proving permanent disability,

confirmed by the federal or state court of jurisdiction. Your Property Assessment is mailed to you once a yearProperty owners are provided with a homestead exemption application by mail from the Assessor’s Office no later than February of each year. Non-Profit Organizations can seek Property Tax ExemptionsNon-profit organizations must seek approval from the Assessor and regularly reapply for property tax exemption for any non-income producing properties in their possession. The list of all approved Non-Profit exemptions will be published.

To seek an exemption, a Non-Profit Organization must provide this documentation to the Assessor’s Office:1. State of Louisiana Non-Profit Exemption Application;2. Determination Ruling Letter from the Internal Revenue

Service (IRS);3. IRS T-900 Form;4. Articles of Incorporation; and5. State of Louisiana Non-Profit Certification.

All Non-Profit properties will be inspected regularly by the Assessor’s Office to determine continued eligibility.

How to file for a Homestead ExemptionTo claim a Homestead Exemption, a person must appear in person at the Assessor’s Office and provide:1. Proof of ownership (act of sale, proof of warranty deed);2. A valid Louisiana driver’s license;3. A recent utility bill for that property;4. A completed Homestead Exemption form.

All Homestead Exemption applications are approved by the Assessor. A homeowner receives an annual notification from the Assessor that their homestead exemption remains valid.

Page 4: Assessors Office in Orleans Parish - NOLA.commedia.nola.com/politics/other/newsletter1.pdf · The largest beneficiary of property tax collections is the Orleans Parish School Board

Commercial Properties DivisionAll issues regarding tax assessments and exemptions for commercial, multi-family, industrial and other income-producing properties are coordinated between the Assessor’s Office and other state agencies, particularly the Louisiana Tax Commission, Louisiana Economic Development, the Industrial Development Board, and other relevant parties. Related forms are available at www.nolaassessor.com for download. Forms must be submitted in person to the Assessor’s Office.

Property Tax Liens and SalesProperty owners interested in redeeming their property from tax sales and liens should contact the City of New Orleans Bureau of Treasury at (504) 658-1701 or visit the Bureau of Treasury at City Hall, Room 1W17, 1300 Perdido St., in downtown New Orleans.

Property Valuations And Public RollsThe Orleans Parish Assessor utilizes a computer-assisted mass appraisal system for maintaining property data, images, values and notifications, to achieve greater tax equity through a uniform, transparent automated system. The public can access this data at www.nolaassessor.com.

In addition to updating and maintaining images of property in Orleans Parish, property size, costs, depreciation schedules, construction costs, income and expense data, sales information and fair market value are collected and analyzed by the Assessor to set property values and update them regularly. The Assessor employs trained personnel to collect and update this information.

The State of Louisiana Tax Commission requires the Assessor to re-value all property in a parish every four yearsThe next property re-evaluation occurs in 2012. A property reevaluation may occur outside the normal reassessment period only when properties within a neighborhood or geographic area of the parish experience damage, demolition, renovations or additions, or some significant discrepancy.

Property valuations are mailed to property owners by the Assessor’s Office after each re-valuation.A property valuation will also be mailed to the owner if the property’s value has changed by more than 10 percent. If there is no property valuation change, the property owner will only receive a property tax bill from the City Bureau of the Treasury. Property Owners can Dispute Their AssessmentWhen a property owner disagrees with the estimated market value the Assessor has placed on a property, the owner is allowed to personally appeal to the Assessor for revaluation during 15

working days when the tax rolls are open for public inspection on August 1. Instructions for appeals are on your property valuation notice or you may contact (504) 658-1300. The appeal forms are also at the www.nolaassessor.com website. Grounds for Appeal on your Property ValuationYou do not appeal your property assessment to your Assessor because you think your taxes are too high. That is a discussion to take up with the taxing authorities.

Property assessment appeals are made to the Assessor because you think the value placed on your property is too high because of inaccurate estimations on its size (i.e., the living area of your home is 1600 square feet not 2000), or that other neighboring properties have been valued or recently sold at a market value less than the estimated value of your property.

What is a Neighborhood? A neighborhood can be described as a geographical area within the City that has a high degree of uniformity. Although, homes may vary in size, the age, construction-type and overall charater within the neighborhood should be similar. The appeals process starts in the Assessor’s OfficeWhen visiting during the Open Rolls Period in August, bring as much information as you can to dispute the assessment. Once this period ends, the assessment rolls are closed and certified. The taxpayer can then appeal to the local Board of Review to further submit protest, if necessary.

Formal Appeals start after meeting with the AssessorIf a property owner is not satisfied with the resolution of an appeal to the Assessor, an appeal can be made to the Orleans Board of Review. The Board of Review appeal hearings are usually conducted within 30 days of the closing of the Assessor’s Office books. The property owner must present the evidence about the valuation of the property.

The Board of Review’s decisions can be appealed by the taxpayer or the Assessor to the Louisiana Tax Commission. If either party is not happy with the LTC’s ruling, the state court system serves as the final level of appeals.

The Assessor’s Office if your ally in helping a property owner review the facts about a property’s record, its features, and its comparison to other neighboring properties so an accurate, fair value can be set.

Please note that your Assessor does not set the tax rate, mail out tax bills or collect payments for taxes. All questions about payment of municipal taxes should be directed to the City Bureau of the Treasury, (504) 658-1701 or visit Room 1W17, City Hall, 1300 Perdido St., New Orleans.

1300 Perdido Street | City Hall Room 4E01 | New Orleans, Louisiana 70112 | (504) 658-1300