Louisiana Special Assessment Level for Seniors for older homeowners

What this program is, in plain English

Louisiana offers property tax relief to older homeowners through some combination of a homestead exemption, a senior freeze that locks the assessed value, a circuit breaker credit tied to income, and a deferral that postpones the bill until the home is sold. Louisiana Department of Revenue / Louisiana Tax Commission sets the rules, but almost all of these are filed with your county assessor or treasurer, not with the state. Deadlines are once a year and missing one usually costs you the whole year, so call the county assessor and ask which relief you qualify for and when the form is due. A deferral is a loan against the house, not a discount, so ask what interest is charged before you sign. Homeowners age 65 or older who have a homestead exemption and meet income requirements can 'freeze' the assessed value of their homestead so it does not increase with future reassessments. Applied for through the parish assessor's office.

Who qualifies

• You are 60 or older.
• Income limit: Not yet verified — call to confirm

What to have ready

• Photo ID showing the address of the home you live in
• Proof of age, such as a driver's license or birth certificate
• Last year's property tax bill
• Proof of income for everyone who owns or lives in the home
• The deed or proof that you own and occupy the home

How to apply

This program is run by Louisiana Department of Revenue / Louisiana Tax Commission. Processing times vary by state.