Erroll G. Williams, Assessor
Orleans Parish Assessor’s Office
FAQ
What does the Assessor's Office do?
What does the Assessor NOT do?
How do I dispute my Assessment?
What is a millage/How are my property taxes spent?
How do I calculate property taxes?
How often is property valued?
How do I pay my taxes online?
What is Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA)?
How does the Assessor define a 'neighborhood' for valuation purposes?
What causes my property value to change during a valuation period?
When are assessment notices mailed to property owners?
Do changes in property values impact the property tax rate?
How to file for a Homestead Exemption
How to file for 100 Percent Disable Veterans Exemption
How to qualify for an Age Freeze
How to qualify for Disability Freeze
How does my Non-Profit apply for an exemption?
What does the Assessor's Office do?
Every property in Orleans Parish has value. The Assessor's Office places a value on land, homes, commercial
buildings and other taxable property in Orleans Parish as fairly and accurately as possible.
The Orleans Parish Assessor utilizes a Computer-Assisted Mass Appraisal system for maintaining property data
and values to achieve greater tax equity through a uniform, transparent automated system. The public can access
this data through our Search Records function and can learn more by downloading our informational flyer, The
Mass Appraisal Process.
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What does the Assessor NOT do?
Please note that your Assessor does not set the tax rate, mail out tax bills, seize or sell property for any reason,
nor collect payments for taxes. All of these questions should be directed to the City Bureau of the Treasury, (504)
658-1701 or visit Room 1W40, City Hall, 1300 Perdido St., New Orleans.
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How do I dispute my Assessment?
When a property owner disagrees with the estimated market value the Assessor has placed on a property, the
owner is allowed to personally appeal to the Assessor for review during the open rolls period, weekdays from July
15 to August 16. Instructions for appeals are on your property valuation notice or you may contact (504) 754-8811.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a property owner must schedule an appointment, walk-ins will not be
allowed entry. Meeting with a staff member in-person should be viewed as a last resort. If possible, please submit
an appeal online or schedule a virtual or telephone appointment with staff through our website
nolaassessor.com or by calling our office at (504) 754-8811.
Be sure to bring documentation to support what you think the assessed value of the property should be. This
includes a recent appraisal, builder's contract, insurance documents, and/or pictures. All pictures must be recent,
printed, and dated.
Alternatively, you may file a formal appeal online or by dropping the appeal documents off at the Assessor's Office.
Instructions on how to appeal your assessment are included with your revaluation notice. You may submit an
appeal throughout the open rolls period (July 15 - August 16) plus three business days after the closing of the
rolls.
You do not dispute or “appeal” your property assessment to the Assessor’s Office because you think your taxes
are too high. That is a discussion to take up with the taxing authorities. Property assessment appeals are made
because you think the value placed on your property is too high because of inaccurate estimations on its size (i.e.,
the living area of your home is 1600 square feet not 2000), or that other neighboring properties have been recently
sold at a relatively lower market value than the estimated value of your property.
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What is a millage/How are my property taxes spent?
Property taxes are levied by what is known as a millage rate. One mill is one-tenth of one percent or .001. There
are many different public authorities that receive a portion of property taxes collected in Orleans Parish, or
millages. Click here to view historical millage rates.
Property taxes pay for schools, street repairs, water and sewerage systems, levees, and to keep government
services – like the police and fire departments – operating. Some neighborhoods have voted to levy additional
fees for their geographic district to support enhanced security, economic development or other special purposes.
Two examples are the Downtown Development District and the Garden District Security District. Below is a
complete list of parish-wide millages.
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How do I calculate property taxes?
The best way to calculate your property taxes is to use our online Tax Estimator. However, due to the number of
special security and development taxing districts levied by individual neighborhoods in Orleans Parish, we cannot
guarantee the estimate will be 100 percent accurate as it does not take these into account.
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How often is property valued?
The Louisiana Constitution requires the Assessor to review the value of all properties in a parish at least once
every four years. Circumstances, such as those which occurred after Hurricane Katrina, may prompt an
extraordinary property reevaluation when properties within a neighborhood or geographic area of the parish
experience damage, demolition, renovations/additions, or some significant change.
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How do I pay my taxes online?
You can pay your taxes online by visiting http://www.nola.gov/HOME/Pay-Taxes/.
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What is Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA)?
The Orleans Parish Assessor employs a Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA) system to make the
revaluation process as fair, equitable and comprehensive as possible. The key ingredient in a CAMA system is
data: gathering, analyzing and reporting, and integrating it into a functional formula that helps keep property
valuations current and accurate.
Your Assessor's Office reviews properties to determine their valuation. Detailed and accurate inspection data,
along with land sales, land uses and imaging, and maps, are entered into the CAMA system to create
neighborhoods. An assessment neighborhood shows uniformity for similar property characteristics rather than
exclusively geographic boundaries. A Geographic Information System, or GIS, enhances the property assessment
functions of CAMA. GIS integrates data and pictometry to capture, manage, analyze and display all property
information in Orleans Parish in a geographically-referenced format. This enables the individual to view,
understand, question, interpret and visualize data in ways that reveal relationships, patterns and trends in the form
of maps and reports which define neighborhoods in a way more conducive to assessment planning.
Your Assessor's office is committed to CAMA in order to meet a high standard of fair and effective government.
For more information see The Mass Appraisal Process.
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How does the Assessor define a 'neighborhood' for valuation purposes?
An assessment "neighborhood" is a geographical area within Orleans Parish that has a high degree of uniformity
in character, even though the size, age and construction-type of homes vary.
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What causes my property value to change during a valuation period?
Your property can gain or lose value. Assessed property value changes due to market fluctuations on a local,
regional and national basis.
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When are assessment notices mailed to property owners?
A Notice of Assessment will be mailed by the Assessor's Office to the owner if the property's value has changed
since the last assessment. The open rolls period is from July 15 to August 15 in any given year to discuss your
Notice of Assessment.
Do changes in property values impact the property tax rate?
Remember, taxing authorities - not the Assessor - set the rate at which property is taxed; the Assessor estimates
the value of the property. If your property's value increases and the tax rate remains the same, you will most likely
pay more in property taxes because the calculation of your taxes is based on the estimated fair market value of
the property. The Louisiana Constitution requires residential properties and land to be assessed at 10 percent of
their fair market value. For example, a $100,000 home has an assessed value of $10,000. This is the value to
which the tax millage rate is applied Commercial and industrial buildings are assessed at 15 percent of their fair
market value.
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How to file for a Homestead Exemption
To claim a Homestead Exemption all owners who occupy the property must present the following documents to
this office:
•
A completed homestead exemption application (application can be downloaded here) .
•
A copy of your valid Louisiana Driver's License/State ID that reflects the property address.
•
A copy of a current unpaid Entergy, cable, or landline telephone bill (account must be in the applicant's
name). Both the service location and mailing address on any bill provided must match the address of the
property for which the exemption is being applied. The bill provided must also show standard residential
usage. (Please note we do not accept Sewerage and Water Board bills).
•
If you claim(ed) a homestead exemption elsewhere, proof of cancellation must be provided before a
homestead exemption can be issued.
Once you have gathered the necessary documents you may click here to schedule a virtual appointment (via
Zoom) or an in-person appointment.
If there is more than one applicant on the form, each person must be present for either appointment type chosen
(this requirement also applies to married couples). The person on the virtual appointment must visually match the
person on the ID.
Please be prepared to submit all documents to a Customer Service Representative at the time of your
appointment. If all documents are not provided, you will need to reschedule your appointment. For virtual
appointments, please be prepared to submit all documents electronically (via email).
If you do not wish to schedule an appointment, you may come as a walk-in to either of our Eastbank (City Hall) or
Westbank (Algiers Courthouse) locations. All applicants must be present and the documents outlined above must
be provided at the time of your visit.
How to file for 100 percent Disabled Veterans Exemption
To receive a freeze for the current year, the completed application and supporting documentation must be
received no later than three business days after the close of the assessment rolls. In Orleans Parish, the
assessment rolls close annually on August 15th. If the 15th falls on a weekend, the assessment rolls will remain
through the following Monday.
To qualify for a 100% Disabled Veteran’s Freeze you must have a Homestead Exemption on the property you’re
applying for and provide:
A completed Special Assessment Level Freeze application (application can be downloaded here)
An electronic copy of your valid Louisiana Driver's License/State ID that reflects the property address
A Veterans Administration (VA) letter of determination or notice of award that confirms that you have a
service-connected disability of 100% or that you are 100% unemployable
The address on any award letter provided must correspond to the address on the
application
A copy of proof of household income from all sources. Acceptable proof of income includes: Social
Security Award Letter, Retirement/Pension Award, signed copy of previous year's Form 1040 from
your Federal Income Tax Return
**All Federal Income Tax returns must be signed in the "Your Signature" box located on the
second page of your Form 1040, or on the third page of Form 1040-SR. Applications that include a tax
return that has not been signed will not be processed.
Please note that all income information must be on a letterhead from the issuing agency. Our office does not
accept bank statements or W-2s as proof of income.
Once you have gathered the necessary documents you may click here to schedule a virtual appointment (via
Zoom) or an in-person appointment.
Please be prepared to submit all documents to a Customer Service Representative at the time of your
appointment. If all documents are not provided, you will need to reschedule your appointment. For virtual
appointments, please be prepared to submit all documents electronically (via email).
If you do not wish to schedule an appointment, you may come as a walk-in to either of our Eastbank (City Hall) or
Westbank (Algiers Courthouse) locations. All applicants must be present and the documents outlined above must
be provided at the time of your visit
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How to qualify for an Age Freeze
To qualify for an age-related freeze, the homeowner must be at least 65 by December 31st of the year in which
they wish to receive the freeze (special assessment level). Additionally, the applicant must meet the income
requirement set forth by the Louisiana legislature.
To receive a freeze for the current year, the completed application and supporting documentation must be
received no later than three business days after the close of the assessment rolls. In Orleans Parish, the
assessment rolls close annually on August 15th. If the 15th falls on a weekend, the assessment rolls will remain
through the following Monday.
Once obtained, the Age Freeze is permanent.
To receive an Age Freeze the property owner must have a Homestead Exemption on the property and provide:
•
A completed Special Assessment Level Freeze application (application can be downloaded here).
•
A copy of your valid Louisiana Driver's License/State ID that reflects the property address.
•
A copy of proof of household income from all sources. Acceptable proof of income includes: Social Security
Award Letter, Retirement/Pension Award, signed copy of previous year's Form 1040 from your Federal
Income Tax Return.
**All Federal Income Tax returns must be signed in the "Your Signature" box located on the second page of
your Form 1040, or on the third page of Form 1040-SR. Applications that include a tax return that has not been
signed will not be processed.
Please note that all income information must be on a letterhead from the issuing agency. Our office does not
accept bank statements or W-2s as proof of income.
Once you have gathered the necessary documents you may click here to schedule a virtual appointment (via
Zoom) or an in-person appointment.
Please be prepared to submit all documents to a Customer Service Representative at the time of your
appointment. If all documents are not provided, you will need to reschedule your appointment. For virtual
appointments, please be prepared to submit all documents electronically (via email).
If you do not wish to schedule an appointment, you may come as a walk-in to either of our Eastbank (City Hall) or
Westbank (Algiers Courthouse) locations. All applicants must be present and the documents outlined above must
be provided at the time of your visit.
How to qualify for a Disability Freeze
Disability Freezes must be reapplied for annually.
To receive a freeze for the current year, the completed application and supporting documentation must be
received no later than three business days after the close of the assessment rolls. In Orleans Parish, the
assessment rolls close annually on August 15th. If the 15th falls on a weekend, the assessment rolls will remain
through the following Monday.
To obtain a disability freeze you must have a Homestead Exemption on the property and provide this office:
A completed Special Assessment Level Freeze application (application can be downloaded here)
A copy of your valid Louisiana Driver's License/State ID that reflects the property address
A copy of a current state or Federal Declaration of Disability (such as a current Social Security Award
letter that states that you are entitled to monthly disability benefits), OR a Veterans Administration (VA)
letter of determination or notice of award that confirms that you have a service-connected disability of
50% or more (The address on any award letter provided must correspond to the address on
the application)
A copy of proof of household income from all sources. Acceptable proof of income includes: Social
Security Award Letter, Retirement/Pension Award, signed copy of previous year's Form 1040 from
your Federal Income Tax Return
**All Federal Income Tax returns must be signed in the "Your Signature" box located on the
second page of your Form 1040, or on the third page of Form 1040-SR. Applications that include a tax
return that has not been signed will not be processed.
Please note that all income information must be on a letterhead from the issuing agency. Our office does not
accept bank statements or W-2s as proof of income.
Disability Freeze applications must be submitted yearly no later than three business days after the close of the
assessment rolls in Orleans Parish.
Once you have gathered the necessary documents you may click here to schedule a virtual appointment (via
Zoom) or an in-person appointment.
Please be prepared to submit all documents to a Customer Service Representative at the time of your
appointment. If all documents are not provided, you will need to reschedule your appointment. For virtual
appointments, please be prepared to submit all documents electronically (via email).
If you do not wish to schedule an appointment, you may come as a walk-in to either of our Eastbank (City Hall) or
Westbank (Algiers Courthouse) locations. All applicants must be present and the documents outlined above must
be provided at the time of your visit.
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How does my Non-Profit apply for an exemption?
Non-Profit Organizations must apply to the Assessor's Office for property tax exemptions for any non-income
producing properties in their possession.
To obtain an exemption, a Non-Profit Organization must provide this documentation to the Assessor's Office:
1. State of Louisiana Non-Profit Exemption Application;
2. Determination Ruling Letter from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS);
3. IRS T-900 Form;
4. Articles of Incorporation; and
5. State of Louisiana Non-Profit Certification.
All Non-Profit properties will be inspected regularly by the Assessor's Office to determine continued eligibility.
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EAST BANK: City Hall, 1300 Perdido Street, City Hall Room 4E01 • (504) 754-8811
WEST BANK: Algiers Courthouse, 225 Morgan Street • (504) 368-7642
Office Hours (East and West Bank): Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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