You may qualify to freeze the value of your property and keep your taxes from being raised through assessment.
Every year property owners have an opportunity to review the information on the assessed value of their property. This is a 15 day period when assessment lists are open for public inspection, usually in September. The last reassessment of property by the Assessor’s office as required by the State of Louisiana was in 2008. Reassessments are made every four years. The next reassessment of property will be in 2012.
If you are 65 years of age or older, have a service connected disability rating of 50% or greater, or are permanently and totally disabled as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court or as certified by a state or federal administrative agency you may also qualify for a special assessment. In 2009 your adjusted gross income must be $64,410 or less. A “special assessment” freezes the value or assessment of your property. This means that the value of your property shall not be increased above the total assessment shown on the tax roll in the year that you qualify for the special assessment level. Property owners will still pay taxes, but the value of their property will not be increased as long as they are residing on this same property. This will apply only to property receiving homestead exemption.
The one page application can be obtained at the Assessor’s office in Donaldsonville or Gonzales. Applicants must provide name, address, birth date, social security number, and adjusted gross income reported on Federal Income Tax Returns for the year prior to applying. Incomes must be combined if you and your spouse file separately. Contact the Assessor’s office at 647-8182 for more information.
