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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Jefferson County
Property Tax Guide

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

7 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
0.8%-1.2% of assessed value, varies by special taxing districts
1st Due
Dec 31
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Jefferson Parish (County), Louisiana operates under a millage-based property tax system that funds essential local services including schools, libraries, fire protection, drainage, and general parish operations. The parish assessor evaluates all real and personal property to determine assessed values, which are then subject to various millage rates set by different taxing authorities within the parish.

Property tax rates in Jefferson Parish vary significantly by location due to special taxing districts, with effective rates typically ranging from 0.8% to 1.2% of assessed value. The parish uses a mill system where each mill represents $1 of tax per $1,000 of assessed value. Your actual tax rate depends on which special districts your property falls within, such as school districts, fire districts, drainage districts, and municipal areas. The Jefferson Parish Assessor's Office, led by Thomas J. Capella, CLA, strives to assess all property "as accurately and as equitably as possible" while providing taxpayers with comprehensive information about their assessments and available tax relief programs.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

Note: FY 2025-2026 final millage rates are not yet available. Rates shown are representative and vary by special taxing district location.

ComponentEstimated MillsDescription
Parish General5.75General parish operations and services
School District25.00-35.00Jefferson Parish School Board (varies by district)
Fire Protection8.00-12.00Fire department services (varies by district)
Drainage3.00-5.00Flood control and drainage maintenance
Library4.50Jefferson Parish Library system
Recreation2.00-3.00Parish recreation facilities and programs
Municipal0.00-8.00City taxes (if applicable)
Total Range48.25-72.25Varies significantly by location

Special taxing districts within Jefferson Parish can significantly impact your total millage rate. Properties in incorporated areas may have additional municipal taxes, while rural areas may have different fire and drainage district rates. Contact the Jefferson Parish Assessor's Office at https://www.jpassessor.com/ for your specific millage breakdown.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Jefferson 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 Jefferson Parish are additional property taxes triggered by significant changes to property ownership or improvements that occur after the annual assessment date. Common triggers include new construction completion, major renovations that increase property value, subdivision of land, or changes in property use classification.

When a supplemental assessment occurs, the additional tax is calculated on the difference between the new assessed value and the previous assessed value, prorated for the remaining portion of the tax year. For example, if you complete a $100,000 home addition in March that increases your assessed value by $80,000, you would owe supplemental taxes on that $80,000 increase for the remaining 9 months of the tax year. At a 60-mill rate, this would result in approximately $3,600 in supplemental taxes ($80,000 ÷ 1,000 × 60 mills × 9/12 months). Supplemental tax bills are issued separately from regular annual tax bills and have their own payment deadlines.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home with Homestead Exemption

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • Assessed Value (10% in LA): $30,000
  • Less: Homestead Exemption: -$7,500 (first $75k of assessed value)
  • Net Taxable Value: $22,500
  • Tax Rate: 60 mills (example rate)
  • Annual Tax: $1,350 ($22,500 × 0.060)
  • Monthly Escrow: $113

Example 2: $600,000 Home with Homestead Exemption

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • Assessed Value (10% in LA): $60,000
  • Less: Homestead Exemption: -$7,500
  • Net Taxable Value: $52,500
  • Tax Rate: 60 mills
  • Annual Tax: $3,150
  • Monthly Escrow: $263

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home (No Exemptions Applied)

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • Assessed Value (10% in LA): $100,000
  • Net Taxable Value: $100,000
  • Tax Rate: 65 mills (higher district rate)
  • Annual Tax: $6,500
  • Monthly Escrow: $542

Note: Homestead and other exemptions require application and are not automatic. Additional exemptions may be available for seniors, veterans, disabled persons, and first responders.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Jefferson Parish require borrowers to establish an escrow account for property taxes and insurance. Your lender collects monthly payments equal to 1/12th of your estimated annual property tax bill, holds these funds in escrow, and pays your taxes directly to the parish when due. Lenders typically conduct annual escrow analyses to adjust monthly payments based on actual tax bills and any changes in assessed value or millage rates.

Property taxes in Jefferson Parish are generally due by December 31st each year, and lenders usually make payments in late November or December to avoid penalties. You can verify that your taxes have been paid by visiting the online payment portal at https://jpso.com/1287/Pay-Taxes-Online or contacting your lender directly. If you're purchasing a home mid-year, closing costs will include prorated property taxes, and your lender may collect additional months of escrow reserves to ensure adequate funds are available for the next tax payment. Always review your annual escrow statement carefully and contact your lender if you notice discrepancies or significant changes in your monthly payment.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
  • See how rising taxes will change your monthly payment
  • Plan ahead instead of being surprised by "shortage" letters
Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Jefferson Parish for FY 2025-2026? A: Property taxes are typically due by December 31st annually. Specific payment dates may vary, so check with the Sheriff's Office tax collection department for exact deadlines.

Q: What tax credits are available and do they require application? A: Several tax credits are available including Homestead Exemption (reduces first $75,000 of assessed value by up to $7,500), Senior Citizens Exemption, Veterans' Exemptions, and Disability Exemptions. ALL require application and are NOT automatic - contact the Assessor's Office at https://www.jpassessor.com/ for applications.

Q: How does the Homestead Exemption work? A: The Homestead Exemption provides up to $7,500 reduction in assessed value and caps annual assessment increases. It does NOT reduce your home's market value but limits how much your assessed value can increase each year for tax purposes. You must apply to receive this benefit.

Q: Are there special exemptions for first responders and firefighters? A: Yes, volunteer firefighters and first responders may qualify for additional tax exemptions. Applications must be submitted by September 1st, 2025 for the current tax year and require notarization.

Q: When are properties reassessed? A: Louisiana conducts property reassessments every four years. The Jefferson Parish Assessor may also conduct interim assessments for new construction or significant property improvements.

Q: How do I appeal my property assessment? A: Assessment appeals must be filed with the Jefferson Parish Assessor's Office within specified timeframes. Contact their office for appeal forms and procedures at https://www.jpassessor.com/.

Q: What happens if I pay my taxes late? A: Late payments incur penalties and interest charges. Properties with delinquent taxes may eventually face tax sale proceedings.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Yes, you can pay property taxes online at https://jpso.com/1287/Pay-Taxes-Online through the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office portal.

Q: Why do tax rates vary within Jefferson Parish? A: Different areas of the parish fall within various special taxing districts (school, fire, drainage, municipal) that each levy their own millages, resulting in different total tax rates depending on your property's location.

Q: How do special district taxes affect my bill? A: Special districts provide specific services like fire protection, drainage, or recreation facilities. Each district sets its own millage rate, which is added to your total tax bill based on your property's location within those district boundaries.

Verified Sources

Backed by 7 Official Government Sources

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

01
County
Jefferson County Assessorjpassessor.com
02
County
Jefferson County Assessor & Treasurer - Property Details - 10 ...trueweb.jeffcowa.us
03
County
Jefferson County Property Taxnacdashboard.nara.gov
04
County
Jefferson County Tax Rates Updated 8/22/2024jeffersoncountyny.gov
05
On motion by Councilman Rau and seconded by Councilman Smith ...mcclibraryfunctions.azurewebsites.us
06
Tax Doc
Louisiana Tax Commissionstax.latax.la.gov
07
43 21 - IIS Windows Servertest.co.jefferson.wa.us
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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