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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Orleans County
Property Tax Guide

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

6 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
Varies by district due to multiple special taxing districts (school, fire, levee, municipal bonds)
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Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Orleans Parish (County), Louisiana operates under a property tax system that funds essential local services including schools, law enforcement, fire protection, roads, and municipal services. Property taxes in Orleans Parish are administered by the Orleans Parish Assessor's Office, with two locations serving residents: East Bank at 1300 Perdido St and West Bank at 225 Morgan St, both operating Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:00pm. The parish uses market value assessment with various tax credits available to qualifying property owners.

Property tax rates in Orleans Parish vary significantly by location within the parish due to multiple special taxing districts, including school districts, fire districts, levee districts, and municipal bonds. Effective tax rates typically range from approximately 0.8% to 1.4% of assessed value, though individual properties may experience different rates depending on their specific taxing district combination. Property owners should note that most tax credits and assessment limitations require annual application and are not automatically applied.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentMillage RateDescription
Parish GeneralVariesBasic parish services and operations
School BoardVariesOrleans Parish School Board operations
Levee DistrictVariesFlood protection and levee maintenance
Fire DistrictVariesFire protection services (varies by district)
Municipal BondsVariesVoter-approved bond payments
LibraryVariesPublic library system
Criminal JusticeVariesCourt and law enforcement facilities

Note: Specific millage rates for levy year 2025 are set annually and vary by property location within Orleans Parish. The 2025 property tax rates have not yet been finalized as they are typically set in early 2025. Property owners should check the Louisiana Tax Commission website or contact the Orleans Parish Assessor's Office at https://nolaassessor.com/ for current rates applicable to their specific address, as rates differ significantly between taxing districts within the parish.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

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

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 property taxes in Orleans Parish are triggered by specific events that change a property's assessed value during the tax year, primarily ownership transfers and new construction or major improvements. When property changes hands, the assessor may reassess the property at current market value, potentially resulting in a supplemental tax bill for the difference between the old and new assessed values, prorated for the remaining portion of the tax year.

For new construction, supplemental taxes apply once the improvement is completed and adds value to the property. The supplemental assessment is calculated based on the added value multiplied by the applicable tax rate for that district, then prorated from the completion date through the end of the tax year. For example, if a $100,000 home addition is completed in July and the local tax rate is 1.2%, the supplemental tax would be approximately $600 (half-year) in addition to the regular annual property tax bill.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Property

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • Assessed Value (10% of market): $30,000
  • Less Homestead Credit (if applied for): -$7,500
  • Net Taxable Value: $22,500
  • Annual Tax (assuming 1.0% rate): $225
  • Monthly Escrow: $18.75

Example 2: $600,000 Property

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • Assessed Value (10% of market): $60,000
  • Less Homestead Credit (if applied for): -$7,500
  • Net Taxable Value: $52,500
  • Annual Tax (assuming 1.0% rate): $525
  • Monthly Escrow: $43.75

Example 3: $1,000,000 Property

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • Assessed Value (10% of market): $100,000
  • Less Homestead Credit (if applied for): -$7,500
  • Net Taxable Value: $92,500
  • Annual Tax (assuming 1.0% rate): $925
  • Monthly Escrow: $77.08

Note: All tax credits require annual application. Actual rates vary by special taxing district location within Orleans Parish. Homestead credit amounts and eligibility requirements should be verified with the assessor's office.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Orleans Parish require property tax escrow accounts, where monthly property tax payments are collected along with mortgage payments and held until tax bills are due. Lenders typically collect 1/12 of the annual property tax amount each month, plus a cushion of 2-3 months. The lender pays property taxes directly to Orleans Parish on behalf of the homeowner when bills are issued.

Property owners with escrow accounts should verify that their lender has current contact information and that tax bills are being paid timely. The Orleans Parish Treasury Department, which handles tax collections, provides online verification services. Homeowners can check payment status and view their tax bills online at https://www.nola.gov/finance/treasury/. If you receive a tax bill despite having an escrow account, contact your lender immediately as this may indicate a payment processing issue that could result in late fees or penalties if not resolved promptly.

How HonestCasa Helps
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Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Orleans Parish? A: Property tax due dates vary by taxing district within Orleans Parish. Most property taxes are due by December 31st of the levy year, though some special districts may have different schedules. Check your specific tax bill or contact the Treasury Department for exact due dates.

Q: What tax credits are available and do they require application? A: Orleans Parish offers several tax credits including Homestead Exemption, Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze, Disability Exemption, and Veterans' Exemptions. All tax credits require annual application through the Orleans Parish Assessor's Office and are not automatically applied.

Q: How does the Homestead credit work? A: The Homestead credit provides up to $7,500 reduction in assessed value for owner-occupied homes, and more importantly, limits annual assessment increases to 10% even if market value rises more. You must apply annually, and the credit only applies to your primary residence where you live as of January 1st.

Q: When can I appeal my property assessment? A: Property assessment appeals must be filed within 30 days of receiving your assessment notice. Contact the Orleans Parish Assessor's Office at https://nolaassessor.com/ for appeal forms and procedures.

Q: What are the penalties for late payment? A: Late payment penalties typically include interest charges and additional fees. Unpaid taxes can eventually result in tax sale proceedings. Contact the Treasury Department for specific penalty rates and payment arrangements.

Q: Can I pay property taxes online? A: Yes, Orleans Parish offers online property tax payments through https://www.nola.gov/finance/treasury/. You can pay by electronic check or credit card, though credit card payments may include processing fees.

Q: Why do tax rates vary within Orleans Parish? A: Property tax rates vary because different areas of Orleans Parish are served by different combinations of special taxing districts including fire districts, school zones, levee districts, and municipal improvement districts. Each district sets its own millage rate.

Q: How often are properties reassessed? A: Louisiana law requires properties to be reassessed every four years, though significant improvements or ownership changes can trigger interim reassessments. The Orleans Parish Assessor's Office maintains current assessment schedules on their website.

Verified Sources

Backed by 6 Official Government Sources

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

01
County
Orleans County Assessornolaassessor.com
02
Tax Doc
Louisiana Tax Commissionstax.latax.la.gov
03
Tax Doc
News - Articles - January 2025 - 2025-01-08 Tax Billsnola.gov
04
Tax Doc
Treasury - Topics - How taxes are calculatednola.gov
05
Tax Doc
Property Tax - View Orleans Parish Tax Rollsnola.gov
06
County
County of Los Angeles - Treasurer and Tax Collectorttc.lacounty.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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