Property Tax Bill Questions and Answers from Assessor Erroll G. Williams for the week of January 3, 2013

Individuals are appearing at the Assessor’s Office with their property tax bills in hand at City Hall. Here are some answers to frequent questions from tax payers.

My property tax bill has the words “Business Personal Property Tax” on it. Is the bill wrong?

The tax bills are issued by the City, not the Assessor’s Office, but though the City notice has an inaccurate description on it, the 2013 bills are still correct and should be paid at the City Treasury or online. 

Where do I pay my property tax bill?

According to the City Treasury, citizens may view and pay their property tax bills online by visiting http://www.nola.gov/pay-taxes. To pay online, you will need your tax bill number. Credit or debit card payments are accepted, but a 2.49% processing fee is added. There is no convenience fee to pay using your checking account. Citizens may also mail their payments to P.O. Box 60047, New Orleans, LA  70160-0047. Using the payment stub provided on the bill will ensure accurate posting. Mailed payments must be postmarked by January 31, 2013 to receive timely credit. For questions about property tax payments, please call the Bureau of the Treasury at (888) 387-8027 or visit Room IW09 in City Hall.

I would like to discuss why my property taxes increased. Who do I see?

The Property Tax Millage Rate, which determines how much taxes you will pay on your property assessment, is set by the City Council. The Assessor does not set the tax rate. However, if you are just realizing your property assessment increased for the 2013 tax year, you are welcome to visit the Assessor’s Office. Any appeals about your property assessment cannot be filed until August, 2013 and successful appeals will be applied to the 2014 tax bill.

My homestead exemption, age or disability freeze or other special assessment was not applied to my property tax bill.

Homestead exemptions are permanent and do not need annual reapplication. If your homestead exemption is not applied to your 2013 property tax assessment, please visit our offices as soon as possible with the following information:

1. Proof of ownership;
2. A current photo ID with an address which corresponds to the property;
   
3. A recent unpaid electricity bill for the property in question.
   

Homeowners who are 65 years of age or older, have a permanent disability, or are the documented surviving spouse of a member of the armed forces or Louisiana National Guard killed in action, missing in action, or a prisoner of war may be able to “freeze” the value at which their home is assessed if they meet certain conditions. The homeowner must have a Homestead Exemption applied to the property for which he/she is seeking the Special Assessment and an adjusted gross income of $69,463 for the 2012 tax year. The tax millage rate is applied to this frozen property value. Other than age-related freezes for homeowners 65 and older, all Special Assessments must be reapplied for annually. Age-related abatements or “freezes” must be documented by:

1. A valid Louisiana photo ID/driver’s license (address must correspond to property on application); and 
   
2. Proof of income.
   

The homeowner must be age 65 by August 1st in the year preceding the year the freeze goes into effect.

Disability-related abatements or “freezes” must be documented by:

1. A valid Louisiana photo ID/driver’s license (address must correspond to property on application); and 
   
2. A signed medical document proving permanent disability that is confirmed by the federal or state court of jurisdiction; or
   
3. A service-connected disability of over 50 percent, with a Veterans Administration letter of determination.
   

This and more information can be found at www.nolaassessor.com.