Frequently Asked Questions

What Does The Assessor Do?

The Assessor is required by the Louisiana Constitution to list and value all property subject to Ad Valorum Taxation on an assessment roll each year. The assessed value is a percentage of "fair market value" or "use value". The property is assessed on the percentage of values as follows:

LAND - 10% of "fair market value" or "use value"

RESIDENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS- 10% of "fair market value"

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY or PERSONAL PROPERTY- 15% of "fair market value"

PUBLIC SERVICE PROPERTY- 25% of "fair market value" Electric Cooperative Properties - 15% of "fair market value"

(These properties are valued and assessed by the Louisiana Tax Commission)

The Natchitoches Parish Assessor's Office must appraise and assess approximately 23,000 parcels of property.

What The Assessor Does Not Do?

The Assessor does not make the laws which affect property owners. The tax laws are made by the Louisiana Legislature. The rules and regulations for assessments are set by the Louisiana Tax Commission. Property taxes are levied by the taxing bodies, such as the police jury, school board, fire districts, etc., and are collected by The Sheriff's Office as the Tax Collector. The amount of taxes you pay is determined by the “tax rate” applied to your property's assessed value. The tax rate is determined by all the taxing agencies within a district, city, parish or those fixed by the Constitution. The tax rate is the basis for the budget needed to provide for services such as schools, fire protection, law enforcement, roads, etc

How is your assessment determined?

The Assessor must first arrive at the “fair market value” for your property. Fair Market Value is defined as “the price agreed upon between a willing and informed buyer and a willing and informed seller under usual and ordinary circumstances; it shall be the highest price estimated in terms of money which property will bring if exposed for sell on the open market with reasonable time allowed to find a purchaser who is buying with knowledge of all the uses and purposes to which the property is best adapted and for which it can be legally used.” Keeping current with cost of construction, changes in zoning, financing and economic conditions which may affect property values are other duties of the Assessor. The Assessor uses the three nationally recognized appraisal approaches to value, those being cost , income and market. This data is then correlated into a final value estimate by the appraiser. This value is then applied to the appropriate percentage required by law to determine your “assessed value”. Improvements shall be added to the rolls on January 1, following the year the improvements were completed. Value of the improvements will be indexed to the date of the last reappraisal. Louisiana Law dictates the Assessor to reappraise and reassess real property, at least once every four years. Personal property is to be reappraised on an annual basis.

What is Homestead Exemption?

The "homestead exemption" is an exemption of parish and state ad valorem or property taxes to the extent of $7,500 of assess value and a maximum of 160 acres. To be eligible for homestead exemption, property must be your primary residence and occupied by you.

What If I Disagree With The Assessor's Value Of My Property?

As a taxpayer, you have certain rights and responsibilities. If you have furnished the Assessor's Office with all the appropriate and legal information asked of you, you have the legal right to question your assessed value. If your opinion of the value of your property differs from the Assessor's, by all means come to the Assessor's Office and discuss the matter with him. The Assessor or his staff will be more than happy to review your assessment. If, after discussing the matter with the Assessor, a difference of opinion still exists, there is a legal process to appeal your assessment. The Assessor will be more than happy to explain that process.