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Updated 2025 Tax Year

St. Martin County
Property Tax Guide

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

10 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
Varies by location due to multiple overlapping special taxing districts (school, drainage, fire protection)
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

St. Martin Parish, Louisiana operates under a millage-based property tax system that funds essential local services including law enforcement, parish operations, school districts, and various special taxing districts. Property taxes are levied on the assessed value of real and personal property, with assessment ratios set by state law. The parish uses these revenues to support the Sheriff's Department, parish government operations, drainage districts, and other local services that benefit residents and property owners.

Property tax rates in St. Martin Parish vary significantly by location within the parish due to multiple overlapping special taxing districts, including school districts, drainage districts, fire protection districts, and other municipal service areas. The total effective tax rate for any property depends on which combination of these districts serve that particular location. Property owners should expect their actual tax rate to differ from the parish-wide average based on their specific address and the services provided in their area.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate (Mills)Description
Sheriff's General Fund17.91Law enforcement services and operations
Parish General FundVariesBasic parish government operations
School DistrictVariesLocal school district operations and debt service
Drainage DistrictsVariesFlood control and drainage maintenance
Fire ProtectionVariesFire department services (where applicable)
Municipal ServicesVariesCity services (incorporated areas only)

Note: These rates apply to the FY 2025-2026 levy year. Only the Sheriff's General Fund rate of 17.91 mills is confirmed from recent data. Total effective rates typically range from 25-60+ mills depending on location and applicable special districts. Contact the St. Martin Parish Assessor's Office for complete rate information specific to your property address.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in St. Martin 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 St. Martin Parish are triggered by changes in property ownership, new construction, or improvements that increase a property's assessed value during the tax year. When these events occur, the parish calculates additional taxes based on the difference between the old and new assessed values, prorated for the portion of the tax year remaining after the change took effect.

For example, if you purchase a home in June that was previously assessed at $150,000 but now has a market value of $250,000, supplemental taxes would be calculated on the increased assessed value for the remaining months of that tax year. The assessment would be adjusted to reflect current market value, and you would receive a supplemental tax bill for July through December. Similarly, completing a home addition or major renovation triggers a supplemental assessment for the added value.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • Assessed Value (10% of market): $30,000
  • Homestead Exemption: $7,500 (up to $75,000 market value)
  • Net Taxable Value: $22,500
  • Tax Rate: 35 mills (estimated total)
  • Annual Tax: $787.50
  • Monthly Escrow: $65.63

Example 2: $600,000 Home

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • Assessed Value (10% of market): $60,000
  • Homestead Exemption: $7,500
  • Net Taxable Value: $52,500
  • Tax Rate: 35 mills (estimated total)
  • Annual Tax: $1,837.50
  • Monthly Escrow: $153.13

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • Assessed Value (10% of market): $100,000
  • Homestead Exemption: $7,500
  • Net Taxable Value: $92,500
  • Tax Rate: 35 mills (estimated total)
  • Annual Tax: $3,237.50
  • Monthly Escrow: $269.79

Note: Homestead exemption requires annual application and limits assessment increases rather than reducing market value. Actual tax rates vary by specific location within the parish.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in St. Martin Parish require property tax escrow accounts for borrowers with less than 20% down payment or upon request. Lenders collect monthly payments equal to 1/12th of the annual property tax bill along with your mortgage payment. The servicer holds these funds in a non-interest-bearing escrow account and pays your property taxes directly to the parish when due in December.

Escrow accounts are analyzed annually, typically in the fall before tax bills are issued. If your property taxes increase due to reassessment or rate changes, your monthly escrow payment will be adjusted accordingly. Louisiana law allows lenders to collect up to two months of additional payments as a cushion. If your account has a surplus exceeding $50, the lender must refund the excess or offer to reduce future monthly payments. Property owners can verify their tax payments and escrow account accuracy by checking with both their mortgage servicer and the St. Martin Parish Tax Collector's office.

How HonestCasa Helps
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Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due for the current fiscal year? A: Property taxes are due by December 31st each year and become delinquent on January 1st of the following year. The first installment option is typically available with payment due November 1st, becoming delinquent December 10th.

Q: What tax credits are available and do they require application? A: The primary tax credit is the Homestead Exemption, which exempts up to $75,000 of market value ($7,500 assessed value) for owner-occupied residences. This credit REQUIRES annual application with the Assessor's Office and is NOT automatic. Additional credits may be available for disabled veterans, seniors, or other qualifying circumstances.

Q: How does the Homestead Exemption work? A: The Homestead Exemption provides a credit that reduces your taxable assessed value by up to $7,500 annually. It also caps assessment increases to limit dramatic tax bill changes. You must file an application with supporting documentation - it does not automatically apply when you purchase a home.

Q: When are properties reassessed? A: Louisiana requires property reassessment every four years. The St. Martin Parish Assessor conducts these comprehensive revaluations to ensure assessments reflect current market conditions. Property owners can appeal assessments during specified periods following reassessment notifications.

Q: What are the penalties for late payment? A: Properties with delinquent taxes after January 1st are subject to interest charges and penalties. Continued delinquency can result in tax sale proceedings where the parish sells the tax debt to investors who can eventually claim property ownership.

Q: Can I pay property taxes online? A: Contact the St. Martin Parish Tax Collector's office to confirm current online payment options and accepted payment methods for property tax bills.

Q: Why do special district taxes vary by location? A: St. Martin Parish contains multiple special taxing districts for services like drainage, fire protection, and municipal services. Your property's location determines which districts serve your area and therefore which taxes apply to your property.

Q: How do I find my exact tax rate? A: Contact the St. Martin Parish Assessor's Office with your property address to determine the specific combination of millages that apply to your location, as rates vary significantly within the parish based on applicable special districts.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

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

01
St. Martin Parish Sheriffapp2.lla.state.la.us
02
Tax Doc
STAX Portallatax.la.gov
03
St. Martin Parish Governmentapp.lla.state.la.us
04
St. Martin Parish Assessorapp.lla.state.la.us
05
Tax Doc
Secured Property Taxes General Informationttc.lacounty.gov
06
Tax Doc
Unsecured Property Taxes - Treasurer and Tax Collectorttc.lacounty.gov
07
Homestead Exemptionlegis.la.gov
08
HLS 243ES-15legis.la.gov
09
Tax Doc
Louisiana Property Tax Basicshouse.louisiana.gov
10
Date: To: From: Reference: 2016-17 Budget Subjectcao.lacity.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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