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Updated 2025 Tax Year

St. Charles County
Property Tax Guide

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

10 Official Sources
8 min read
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Section 1

How Property Tax Works

St. Charles Parish, Louisiana operates under a property tax system that funds essential local services including schools, law enforcement, fire protection, and infrastructure maintenance. The parish assesses property taxes based on 10% of fair market value for land and improvements, which is significantly lower than many other states. This assessment-to-market-value ratio helps keep property tax burdens relatively manageable for homeowners.

Property tax rates in St. Charles Parish vary by location within the parish due to different special taxing districts, school districts, and municipal boundaries. The combined state and local assessment rate totals 10% of fair market value, with the state contributing 5% and local parish contributing 5%. However, your actual tax bill depends on the specific millage rates applied in your area, which can differ between the East Bank and West Bank, as well as incorporated municipalities versus unincorporated areas of the parish.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRateDescription
State Assessment5% of FMVState-mandated assessment rate
Local Parish Assessment5% of FMVParish assessment rate
Total Assessment Base10% of FMVCombined assessment for FY 2025
Local Millage (West Bank)Varies by districtApplied to assessed value, specific rates vary
School District MillageVaries by districtApplied to assessed value for school funding
Municipal MillageVaries by cityAdditional millage for incorporated areas
Special District MillageVaries by serviceFire protection, drainage, library districts

Note: Millage rates are set annually and vary significantly by location within St. Charles Parish. Contact the St. Charles Parish Assessor's Office for specific millage rates applicable to your property's location and taxing districts.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in St. Charles 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 taxes in St. Charles Parish are triggered when there are changes in property ownership, new construction, or improvements that increase a property's assessed value during the tax year. Unlike the regular annual assessment, supplemental taxes are prorated based on the number of months remaining in the tax year after the change occurs.

For example, if you purchase a home in June that was previously assessed at a lower value, or if you complete a major renovation that increases your home's fair market value, the parish assessor will issue a supplemental assessment. The supplemental tax is calculated by taking the difference between the new assessed value (10% of the increased fair market value) and the previous assessed value, then multiplying by the applicable millage rate and prorating for the remaining months in the tax year. This ensures that property taxes reflect current property values and ownership throughout the entire tax year.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Fair Market Value: $300,000
  • Assessed Value (10% of FMV): $30,000
  • Less: Homestead Exemption: $7,500 (example)
  • Net Taxable Value: $22,500
  • Annual Tax (assuming 50 mills): $1,125
  • Monthly Payment: $94

Example 2: $600,000 Home

  • Fair Market Value: $600,000
  • Assessed Value (10% of FMV): $60,000
  • Less: Homestead Exemption: $7,500 (example)
  • Net Taxable Value: $52,500
  • Annual Tax (assuming 50 mills): $2,625
  • Monthly Payment: $219

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Fair Market Value: $1,000,000
  • Assessed Value (10% of FMV): $100,000
  • Less: Homestead Exemption: $7,500 (example)
  • Net Taxable Value: $92,500
  • Annual Tax (assuming 50 mills): $4,625
  • Monthly Payment: $385

Note: Millage rates vary by location. Tax credits require separate application and are not automatically applied. Contact the St. Charles Parish Assessor's Office for current exemption amounts and application requirements.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in St. Charles Parish require borrowers to maintain an escrow account for property taxes, especially for loans with less than 20% down payment. Your lender will estimate your annual property tax bill and divide it by 12 to determine your monthly escrow payment. This amount is collected along with your principal and interest payment each month.

Property taxes in St. Charles Parish are typically paid in multiple installments, with the first installment due September 1st, second installment due December 1st, and final installment due February 1st of the following year. Your lender will make these payments on your behalf from your escrow account. It's important to verify that your lender has the correct tax information and is making timely payments, as you remain ultimately responsible for ensuring taxes are paid even when using an escrow account. You can monitor payments through the St. Charles Parish Tax Collector's office or online payment portal.

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Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in St. Charles Parish for FY 2025-2026? A: Property taxes are due in three installments: first installment September 1, 2025; second installment December 1, 2025; and final installment February 1, 2026.

Q: What tax credits are available and do I need to apply? A: The homestead exemption is the primary tax credit available to owner-occupied residential properties. This credit requires application through the St. Charles Parish Assessor's Office and is not automatically applied. Additional exemptions may be available for seniors, veterans, or disabled persons, but all require separate applications.

Q: How does the homestead exemption work? A: The homestead exemption provides a credit that reduces your assessed value, and it also caps assessment increases to help limit property tax growth. You must apply for this exemption - it is not automatic. Contact the St. Charles Parish Assessor's Office for current exemption amounts and application procedures.

Q: When are properties reassessed? A: Louisiana law requires properties to be assessed annually, but significant reassessments typically occur every four years or when there's a change in ownership or improvements to the property.

Q: How do I appeal my property assessment? A: Assessment appeals must be filed with the St. Charles Parish Assessor's Office within specified deadlines, typically within 60 days of receiving your assessment notice. You can also appeal to the Louisiana Tax Commission if unsatisfied with the local decision.

Q: What are the penalties for late payment? A: Late payments incur penalties and interest charges. Contact the St. Charles Parish Tax Collector's Office for current penalty rates and payment options to avoid additional fees.

Q: Can I pay property taxes online? A: Yes, St. Charles Parish typically offers online payment options through their official website. You can also pay by mail, in person, or through your mortgage company's escrow account.

Q: Why do tax rates vary within St. Charles Parish? A: Different areas of the parish are served by different special taxing districts for services like fire protection, drainage, libraries, and schools. Each district sets its own millage rate, which is added to the base parish rate, resulting in location-specific total tax rates.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

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

01
Incentives and Support | St. Charles Parish, LAstcharlesparish.gov
02
Demographics | St. Charles Parish, LAstcharlesparish.gov
03
agenda st. charles city council meetingstcharlesil.gov
04
Home, Louisiana Department of Revenuerevenue.louisiana.gov
05
Tax Doc
Louisiana Tax Commissionstax.latax.la.gov
06
2005 Form 1040reginfo.gov
07
Tax Doc
Tax Year 2024 - Quadrennial Reappraisalapp.lla.state.la.us
08
Tax Doc
Louisiana Tax Commission Residential Property ...lla.la.gov
09
Louisiana Laws Table of Contentslegis.la.gov
10
St. Charles Parish - The official website of Louisianalouisiana.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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