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Permalink Reply by Bill G on August 18, 2008 at 6:34

Remohes....dont you love it how are government always diggs its nails in a little deeper in the tough times.....ex: Great depression "The New Deal" 911 " Homeland security act" Now its the housing market crash! Can't they let nature just take its course....either it be economicaly, socialy or physicaly.....you can only delay the inevidible you can't fix nor deny it...only one can do that.

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Permalink Reply by Mit on August 18, 2008 at 7:26

I have seen a lot of stories in the media about the various things local governments can do or should do with the gas lease and royalty money. One option I have not seen is a proposal to LOWER property and sales taxes. DeSoto Parish's Police Jury doubled their budget in a single lease auction earlier this summer.

Instead of the possibilty of lowering taxes, we are worried about our taxes increasing.

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Permalink Reply by GetSmart on August 18, 2008 at 8:00

He's leading in the polls, so all I can say is if you don't want him and his higher taxes (I don't) then we need to get out and spread the word. You know if windfall taxes are imposed on the O&G; we the consumers are going to bear the burden.

Most important of all, make sure you show up at the polls on election day.

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Permalink Reply by Joan Williams on August 21, 2008 at 18:06

Funny you should ask..........I live in Bossier Parish and about 2 weeks ago I received a notice from the Bossier Parish tax assessor's office. And you can guess what was about.....letting me know the property tax on my house was going up...and get this....it is going to be 3 times as much as it was last year ! I called their office and when asked if this had anything to do with the shale they said NO. I guess it was just a coincidence that it tripled this year when the shale was discovered. LOL
My mother's tax is going from nothing to about 250.00. I do not think the value of our houses have tripled in a few years. Both our homes are almost 30 years old ! LOL
Go figure.......

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Permalink Reply by Tech75 B1 on August 21, 2008 at 21:18

The state mandates a reassessment every four years, sometimes more often as in the case with Webster Parish because of some irregularities in the previous Tax Assessor's administration. 2008 is a state mandated reassessment year so everyone's taxes should go up unless property values in that parish have decreased. Also, if any new tax elections passed, like schools, roads, etc.

What has happened in the past in Webster is--in large subdivisions as houses sold for more and more each year, the new home owners were paying property tax based on the value of their property at sale while long time home owners right next door were still paying on the value of their homes when bought 30 years ago. When irregularities were uncovered, the state instructed Webster to do a total reassessment outside the normal reassessment year. Because they could not complete it within one year, then the next year also became a "reassessment year". Every "reassessment year" initiates another law that requires all taxing bodies to collect their maximum millage at least once after reassessment or they lose their ability to collect that millage for the remainder of their tax period (which is generally 10 years for most public services).

Increases in reassessed value is generally a good thing. It means your property will probably sell for more. I don't know anyone who would sell their property for what they paid for it 30 years ago. If you are willing to take the increase in property value at sale or to the bank for a home equity loan, then you have to be willing to pay an increase in tax.

More than you ever wanted to know? (grin)

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Permalink Reply by VSC DeSoto South on November 10, 2008 at 17:34

For anyone concerned.
The tax statement came for 40 acres.
It was only $223.

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Permalink Reply by P.G. on November 10, 2008 at 19:53

I wonder if we go into a prolonged recession if they'll lower assessments? It would only seem fair wouldn't it?

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Permalink Reply by VSC DeSoto South on November 11, 2008 at 4:42

I think the tax rate for property in LA is low compared to what I pay for 2 properties on the west coast.
$223 is less than 1/10 th of what I pay for those.

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Permalink Reply by P.G. on November 11, 2008 at 6:06

That's comparing apples to oranges.
Homes are priced a lot higher out on the left coast aren't they?
Besides, it must not bother those folks out there because they keep electing officials who have no problem raising taxes.

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Permalink Reply by The_Baron on November 11, 2008 at 9:06

Look at the millage rates. The assessed value times the millage rate is the tax. this is how to compare taxes from location to location.

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Permalink Reply by The_Baron on November 11, 2008 at 6:09

Assesments will be based on the "fair market value".

The Assesssor will track the going sales prices in each area. The Average is used to reassess properties every four years. If you just bought a property the actual sales price will be the value.

In Louisiana, farmland, wetlands, timberland, etc. is assessed at a reduced rate from the fair market value. Usually it is valued at 10% of fair market value.

If land prices rise because of the shale, IT is reasonable to assume that assessed values will also rise.

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Permalink Reply by VSC DeSoto South on November 11, 2008 at 7:44

Not sure when the property valuation date is in LA, but I had assumed they would have increased this year's values since the prices of land started going up in the late winter and early spring.
I am not complaining though, I will pay the $223 and hope it stays low for next year and the years to come.

Of course the LA land has no structure so it is agric, timber assessment only, the other properties have residences on them and the whole tax structure is higher in CA, WA and OR.

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