One of the silver linings of city offices being shut down due to COVID-19 has been the move to allow New Orleans homestead exemption applications to be taken online instead of in-person.
The New Orleans Metropolitan Association of REALTORs recently posted the following news:
Orleans Assessor Erroll G. Williams announced an additional online service is now available to homeowners: They can file their New Orleans Homestead Exemption online at www.nolaassessor.com, without having to come into the office.
Acknowledging that the COVID pandemic increased his office’s on-going move to virtual and online services, Assessor Williams said the online portal at www.nolaassessor.com allows the application to be conducted online during a virtual meeting scheduled through the website. In-person meetings can also be scheduled through the same portal if the applicant prefers.
To file for a Homestead Exemption, one needs to have the following information available in an electronic format to share with the office employee conducting the virtual session:
- A valid Louisiana Driver’s License or Louisiana State I.D. (address must correspond to property’s address on application);
- A current unpaid Entergy bill for the property, with service location and mailing address being the same, showing standard residential usage; OR
- A landline telephone bill or cable bill (Direct, Dish or Cox).
Homestead Exemptions for new homeowners in Orleans Parish should be filed during the year the home is occupied, to be applied to the forthcoming property assessment year, said the Assessor. Assessor Williams reminded homeowners that as long as the property remains the owner’s primary residence (domicile), the Homestead Exemption is permanent and does not need to be applied for annually.
Every homeowner in Louisiana can claim one Homestead Exemption from property taxes for the first $75,000 of value of their home. The Assessor also reminded the public that it is a crime to claim more than one Homestead Exemption in the State of Louisiana. A Homestead Exemption Fraud Hotline available at www.nolaassessor.com welcomes reports of suspected Homestead Exemption abuse.
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