Tax rates are based on millage, bond issues, and fees that have been voted by registered voters in the various districts which have been established by the Legislature or Constitution. The tax dollars collected for the districts go to pay for schools, roads, law enforcement, fire protection, and other services that the taxpayers demand and desire from local government. To calculate the taxes on your property, you must take the assessed value, which is a percentage of "fair market value", and multiply it by the appropriate tax or millage rate to arrive at the amount due. If, as an example, you have $1000 of taxable assessed value and the tax rate is 120 mills, you would pay $1000 x .120 = $120 in taxes. If your home is valued at $100,000, and you are eligible and have signed for homestead exemption, you would calculate your taxes as follow:

$100,000(Fair Market Value)x 10%(Level of Assessment)= $10,000(Assessed Value)- 7,500(Maximum Homestead Exemption)= 2,500(Taxable Value)x .120(Tax Rate)= $300.00(Total Parish Taxes Due)

Note: This example is for parish taxes only as homestead exemption does not apply to city taxes.

When additional taxes are voted by the people, an individual's property tax bill will increase. Also, when market value increases, naturally, so does the assessed value. If you were to make improvements to your existing property, for instance, add a garage, an additional room, or a swimming pool, the "fair market value" increases, and therefore, the assessed value would also increase. The assessor has not created the value. People make value by their transactions in the marketplace. The assessor simply has the legal and moral responsibility to study those transactions and appraise your property accordingly. 

Our Office is not responsible for the mailing out of Tax Notices. Each individual Tax Collector mails out their own notices. If you did not recieve your Notice you can call the Parish Tax Collector's Office (318)368-2511. If you have not reiceved your City Tax Notice you would need to call whichever city is applicable to your assessment. Even if you do not recieve a tax notice, it is your responsibility to be sure that the property taxes have been paid.