Many St. Charles Parish residents will see an increase in their property taxes this year, with some homeowners expecting a 75 to 100 percent increase.
St. Charles Parish Assessor Tab Troxler said this increase is because property values in the parish grew an average of 30 percent this year from pre-pandemic levels. Troxler said even though tax rates have declined this year, most residents will still see higher taxes because of the increase in property values nationwide.
Troxler said he thinks this will be the largest tax bill residents will pay over the next four years.
“I anticipate as the tax roll continues to grow the taxing authorities are going to start cutting taxes slightly each year,” he said. “So the good news is this is the highest [residents] will pay.”
By law, all Louisiana parishes must reassess property values every four years. Last year’s property taxes were based on a Jan. 1, 2019 assessment of property values. This year’s property taxes are based on a Jan. 1, 2023 assessment. Troxler said property values increased after the COVID-19 pandemic because of inflation.
Residents who bought a home before this year’s reassessment typically paid taxes on the 2019 assessed value of their home. This year, they will have to pay property taxes on the 2023 assessed value of their home, according to Troxler. An assessment is different from a fee appraisal. While an appraisal decides the value for a single home on the date of the appraisal, an assessment decides the fair market value for a group of homes on a certain date.
A final tax rate, which will decide the exact amount of property taxes residents will pay, will be set by Sept. 1 when all taxing authorities send their rates to the assessor’s office. Property taxes are due on Dec. 31. Residents will receive their tax bill in November.
So far, no taxing authorities have increased their tax rates this year. The assessor’s office is waiting for rates from the Sheriff’s office, Pontchartrain Levee District and Lafourche Basin Levee District.
While most residents’ taxes will increase, residents who qualify for a property value freeze will likely see a decrease in their taxes because of the lower millage rates, according to Troxler. Residents who are 65 and older and have an adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less qualify for the freeze. This means their property values will not change this year.
There are other ways to save. Most homeowners qualify for a homestead exemption which saves about $775. Disabled veterans and their surviving spouses may also qualify for an added homestead exemption. This year, volunteer firefighters and full time public employees who are first responders may qualify for an added $25,000 of homestead exemption.
Unmarried surviving spouses of a person who died while on active duty or while performing their duties as a law enforcement, fire protection, or emergency medical officer may also be eligible for an added homestead exemption.
Residents received mailed notices this month with the updated values for their properties. Troxler said the property value increase caught some residents by surprise.
“I assure you I have done as much or more as any assessor in the state to look at this and put out a bunch of information around this,” Troxler said.
He said his office hosted three informational town hall sessions this summer to prepare residents for the increase in property values. The assessor’s web page also includes reassessment information, including informative videos on how reassessment works. The office sent brochures to residents as well.
The assessor’s office will hold an informational session on Wednesday, Aug. 21 at the West Regional Library in Luling. At the session, which begins at 6 p.m., residents can apply in person for programs that help lower property taxes.
