How Property Tax Works
Lafourche Parish property taxes fund essential local services including public schools, parish government operations, law enforcement, fire protection, and infrastructure maintenance. The parish uses an assessment-based system where property is typically assessed at a percentage of fair market value, with various millage rates applied by different taxing authorities. Property taxes are levied each November 1st based on assessed values as of the prior January 1st.
The effective tax rate in Lafourche Parish varies significantly by location within the parish due to multiple overlapping special taxing districts, including school districts, fire protection districts, drainage districts, and other special assessments. Property owners may be subject to different combinations of these district taxes depending on their specific location. The parish follows Louisiana's constitutional framework for property taxation, with various homestead protections and exemptions available to qualifying property owners.