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Updated 2025 Tax Year

De Soto County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in De Soto County, LA. Rates, due dates, exemptions, and how it affects your monthly payment.

9 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
Approximately 1% effective rate, varies significantly by taxing district and location within parish
1st Due
Dec 31
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

De Soto Parish property taxes fund essential local services including public schools, law enforcement, fire protection, road maintenance, and parish government operations. Property taxes in Louisiana are administered at the parish level, with De Soto Parish following state guidelines for assessment and collection procedures.

Property tax rates in De Soto Parish vary significantly by location within the parish due to multiple overlapping special taxing districts. These districts may include school board millages, fire protection districts, drainage districts, and other special assessments that create different total tax rates for properties in different areas. The Louisiana state average effective rate is approximately 1%, but your actual rate will depend on your specific property location and the combination of taxing districts that apply to your area.

Tax bills are calculated by multiplying your property's assessed value (after any applicable tax credits) by the total millage rate for all taxing districts serving your location. Assessment ratios in Louisiana are 10% of fair market value for residential property, meaning a $300,000 home would have an assessed value of $30,000 before any credits are applied.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate (Mills)Description
Parish GeneralVariesBasic parish government operations
School BoardVariesDe Soto Parish School Board operations
Fire ProtectionVariesLocal fire district (location dependent)
Drainage DistrictsVariesFlood control and drainage (location dependent)
Special AssessmentsVariesVarious local improvement districts
Total Rate Range40-80+ millsActual rate depends on property location

Note: Specific millage rates for FY 2025-2026 are set annually and vary by special taxing district. Contact the De Soto Parish Assessor's Office at (318) 872-3110 for exact rates applicable to your property address. One mill equals $1 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in De Soto County, property taxes are due in two installments:

First Installment
Dec 31
Delinquent after Dec 10
Pro tip: If you pay through mortgage escrow, your lender splits these payments across your monthly mortgage. If you pay directly, set calendar reminders to avoid late penalties.
Section 4

Supplemental Tax Bills

Supplemental taxes in De Soto Parish are additional tax bills issued when property undergoes changes that affect its assessed value during the tax year. The most common triggers include ownership transfers, new construction completion, or significant improvements that increase the property's value.

When a supplemental assessment occurs, the parish calculates the difference between the old and new assessed values, applies the current millage rate, and prorates the additional tax for the remaining months in the tax year. For example, if a $100,000 home improvement is completed in July, increasing the assessed value by $10,000 (10% of improvement value), the supplemental tax would be calculated on this $10,000 increase for the remaining 6 months of the tax year.

Property owners receive a separate supplemental tax bill that becomes due 30 days from the date of issuance. This is in addition to the regular annual property tax bill and cannot be appealed through the normal assessment appeal process since it reflects actual changes to the property.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • Assessed Value (10%): $30,000
  • Homestead Credit Applied: -$7,500 (requires application)
  • Net Taxable Value: $22,500
  • Tax Rate (estimated): 60 mills
  • Annual Tax: $1,350
  • Monthly Escrow: $112.50

Example 2: $600,000 Home

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • Assessed Value (10%): $60,000
  • Homestead Credit Applied: -$7,500 (requires application)
  • Net Taxable Value: $52,500
  • Tax Rate (estimated): 65 mills
  • Annual Tax: $3,412.50
  • Monthly Escrow: $284.38

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • Assessed Value (10%): $100,000
  • Homestead Credit Applied: -$7,500 (requires application)
  • Net Taxable Value: $92,500
  • Tax Rate (estimated): 70 mills
  • Annual Tax: $6,475
  • Monthly Escrow: $539.58

Note: Tax credits require annual application and are not automatic. Rates vary by special district location.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in De Soto Parish require property tax escrow accounts for loans with less than 20% down payment. Your lender collects monthly tax payments as part of your mortgage payment and holds these funds in an escrow account to pay your annual property tax bill when due.

Property taxes in De Soto Parish typically become due in January when tax rolls are published, though the exact date varies annually. Your lender will receive the tax bill directly from the parish and pay it from your escrow account. Lenders are required to conduct annual escrow analyses to ensure adequate funds are collected, which may result in payment adjustments if taxes increase or decrease significantly.

You can verify your tax payments and view your property record through the De Soto Parish Assessor's website or by contacting their office. If you pay taxes independently (without escrow), you're responsible for ensuring timely payment to avoid penalties and potential tax sale proceedings.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
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Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in De Soto Parish for FY 2025-2026? A: Property taxes become due and payable when tax rolls are published, typically in January. Contact the De Soto Parish Tax Collector at (318) 872-0556 for exact due dates.

Q: What tax credits are available and do I need to apply? A: The primary credit is the Homestead Exemption, which provides up to $7,500 in assessed value reduction. You must apply annually between January 2 and April 1 at the Assessor's office - it is not automatic.

Q: How does the Homestead credit work? A: The Homestead credit reduces your assessed value by up to $7,500 and caps annual assessment increases at 10% for qualifying owner-occupied residences. You must file an application to receive this credit.

Q: How often are properties reassessed? A: Louisiana requires reassessment every four years, but the Assessor may update values annually based on market conditions and property improvements.

Q: What are the penalties for late payment? A: Late payments incur penalties and interest charges. Properties with delinquent taxes may eventually be subject to tax sale proceedings.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Contact the De Soto Parish Tax Collector's office at (318) 872-0556 to inquire about online payment options and accepted payment methods.

Q: How do I appeal my property assessment? A: Assessment appeals must be filed with the De Soto Parish Assessor's office within specific deadlines. Contact their office at (318) 872-3110 for appeal procedures and forms.

Q: Why do tax rates vary within the parish? A: Different areas have different combinations of special taxing districts (fire, drainage, school zones) that create varying total millage rates depending on your property's location.

Q: What if I'm over 65 or disabled? A: Additional exemptions may be available for seniors and disabled property owners. Contact the Assessor's office to inquire about special programs and application requirements.

Q: How do special district taxes work? A: Special districts provide specific services like fire protection or drainage and levy additional millages on properties within their boundaries. Your total tax rate includes all applicable district millages for your location.

Verified Sources

Backed by 9 Official Government Sources

Every fact in this guide is sourced from official county, state, and federal documents.

01
County
Assessor Portal - COUNTY OF LOS ANGELESportal.assessor.lacounty.gov
02
County
Los Angeles County Office of the Assessor Public Portalportal.assessor.lacounty.gov
03
Tax Doc
Louisiana Property Tax Basicshouse.louisiana.gov
04
DeSoto Parish Assessorapp.lla.state.la.us
05
Tax Doc
Louisiana Tax Commissionstax.latax.la.gov
06
Revenue Information Bulletin No. 20-021dam.ldr.la.gov
07
Frequently Asked Questions - CivicPlus.CMS.FAQobms.us
08
Louisiana Laws Table of Contentslegis.la.gov
09
Tax Doc
Tax Year 2024 - Quadrennial Reappraisalapp.lla.state.la.us
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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