How Property Tax Works
St. John the Baptist Parish operates under Louisiana's property tax system, where property taxes fund essential local services including schools, parish government operations, law enforcement, fire protection, and infrastructure maintenance. The parish uses a millage-based system where tax rates are expressed per $100 of assessed value, with the current combined rate at 4.4999% (44.999 mills) for the 2025 tax year.
Property tax rates in St. John the Baptist Parish vary significantly by location within the parish due to overlapping special taxing districts, including school districts, fire protection districts, drainage districts, and other municipal service areas. Your actual tax rate depends on which special districts serve your property location. The parish assessor determines assessed values, while various taxing authorities set their individual millage rates that combine to create your total property tax bill.
Assessment values are based on fair market value as of the assessment date, and property owners may be eligible for various tax credits and exemptions that require separate applications. Most tax relief programs are not automatic and have specific application deadlines and qualification requirements.