State Summary

• Tax Collection Method: Deeds
• Primary Bidding Type: Bid-down Percentage of Ownership
• Redemption Period: 3 years
• Redemption Interest Rate/Flat Penalty: 12% simple interest per annum + 5% flat penalty

Is Louisiana a tax lien or a tax deed state?
Louisiana is a redeemable tax deed state.

What is the name of the parish official whom typically collects property taxes in Louisiana?
Typically, the Sheriff's office collects parish taxes. The actual collector of taxes in the Sheriff's office is often called the Ex-Officio Tax Collector. In some cases, larger cities in Louisiana collect the property taxes of their residents.

When are property taxes due in the state of Louisiana?
Property tax payments for the year of assessment are due on December 30.

When do property taxes become delinquent in the state of Louisiana? 
Property tax payments for all parishes in Louisiana become delinquent beginning December 31 in the year of assessment. At that point, all unpaid tax bills are subject to accruing interest at a rate of 1% per month or any part of a month.

What is the name of the county official whom typically conducts tax lien sales in Louisiana?
The Sheriff. Sometimes referred to as the Ex-Officio Tax Collector

When does the typical Louisiana parish hold their annual tax deed sale?
The annual tax deed sale for most Louisiana parishes is held in May. 

What are the registration requirements for the typical Louisiana tax deed sale?
Typically, there are no extensive registration requirements for Lousiana parishes, and investors have up to the day of the sale to register.

What is the bidding type used at a typical Louisiana tax deed sale?
The Bid Down Percentage of Ownership method is used at a public outcry or online auction (Orleans is one parish that has an online auction). This bidding method comes into play when a property has more than one bidder. Competing bidders then bid down the percentage ownership they are willing to share with the current property owner. Issues regarding percentage ownership will only come into play if the current property owner doesn't redeem the tax deed within the three-year redemption period.

If there is no competition (only one bidder) for an offered tax deed, the bidder may purchase the tax deed for the minimum bid amount.

What forms of payment are generally accepted at a typical Louisiana sale?
Acceptable forms of payment may vary by Louisiana parish, but parishes are allowed by law to accept the following payment methods: cash, cashier's check, certified check, money order, credit card, or wire transfer.

What are the general terms of payment for the typical tax deed purchased at a Louisiana tax deed sale?
Most Louisiana parishes require full payment the day of the sale.

What is the maximum return (interest rate and/or flat penalty rates) investors earn while they hold the redeemable tax deed?
The state-mandated interest rate is 12% per annum, or 1% accrual per month. There is also a 5% flat penalty that is assessed and added immediately to the total amount due. Taking these figures in account, the best possible return on the investment would be 41% (36 months x 1% + 5% penalty) if the taxpayer redeemed the tax deed just prior to the end of the 36-month redemption period.

What is the redemption period for redeemable tax deeds in Louisiana?
The redemption period is three years and starts on the day that the tax deed is purchased by the investor.

Are tax deeds offered "over-the-counter" in Louisiana?
Yes, some Louisiana parishes offer "over-the-counter" tax deeds. These properties are typically properties that have been adjudicated to the parish tax authority after an unsuccessful attempt to sell the properties at a public tax sale.

What is the name of the county official whom typically determines the values of properties on a annual basis?
Assessor.

For more information on the life cycle, requirements, and administering of tax liens in the state of Louisiana, refer to Title 47: Revenue and Taxation in the Louisiana Revised Statutes.

Louisiana Parish Reference