Louisiana guide · Property tax
The Louisiana homestead exemption, and how to file it by parish
If you own and live in your Louisiana home, the homestead exemption takes the first $7,500 of assessed value off your parish property taxes. Homes are assessed at 10% of market value, so that covers roughly the first $75,000 of value. It is not automatic: you file once with your parish assessor, and it stays in place as long as you own and live there.
Reviewed by Nicole Gaudet, REALTOR®
Updated September 27, 2026
The math
What the exemption saves
The exemption applies to parish ad valorem taxes. City taxes can still apply inside city limits, and your bill depends on the millage where you live.
Sources: La. Const. Art. VII §20; Ascension Parish Assessor; East Baton Rouge Parish Assessor.
Eligibility
Who qualifies
One homestead exemption per owner, on the home you live in.
You qualify if
- You own the home
- You live in it as your primary residence
- You own and occupy it by December 31 of the tax year
- You have a signed application on file with the parish assessor
Good to know
- It is not granted automatically when you buy
- Once approved, you do not reapply each year
- File again if the title changes or you move
- Check the tax notice the assessor mails each fall
Sources: EBR Parish Assessor; West Baton Rouge Parish Assessor; Ascension Parish Assessor.
Filing
How to file, by parish
Every parish assessor runs its own filing. Call ahead and ask which documents they want before you go.
| Parish | How to file | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Ascension | Online through the assessor's homestead application, or in person at the Gonzales, Donaldsonville or Prairieville office | Stays in place while you own and live there |
| East Baton Rouge | In person at the Main office, Coursey branch or Central branch | Own and occupy by Dec. 31 of the tax year |
| West Baton Rouge | Online through the assessor's homestead application; office 225-344-6777 | Apply by Dec. 31 of the year you buy |
Sources: Ascension, East Baton Rouge and West Baton Rouge parish assessors. Other parish? Ask us and we will point you to the right office.
Special assessment level
The assessment freeze
Once you have the homestead exemption, some owners can also freeze their assessed value. It freezes the assessment, not the tax rate, so the bill can still change if millage changes.
Who can apply
- Age 65 or older
- A VA service-connected disability rating of 50% or higher
- Permanently and totally disabled, as certified by a court or agency
Income limit
- Combined adjusted gross income at or under $102,700
- The limit is adjusted for inflation beginning in tax year 2026, so confirm this year's number with your assessor
Sources: Ascension Parish Assessor; EBR Parish Assessor.
Veterans
Extra exemptions for disabled veterans
Veterans with a VA service-connected disability rating get an added exemption on top of the homestead exemption.
| VA rating | Added exemption |
|---|---|
| 50–69% | Next $2,500 of assessed value |
| 70–99% | Next $4,500 of assessed value |
| 100%, or individual unemployability | Full exemption from parish property taxes |
Sources: EBR Parish Assessor; West Baton Rouge Parish Assessor. Surviving spouses may keep these benefits in some cases; ask your assessor. Buying with a VA loan? See our VA home loans guide.
Straight answers
Homestead exemption questions
Is the homestead exemption automatic when I buy?
No. You need a signed application on file with your parish assessor. Once it is approved, it stays in place as long as you own and live in the home.
Ascension Parish Assessor
How much does it save?
It removes the first $7,500 of assessed value, which is about the first $75,000 of market value. In East Baton Rouge the assessor puts the typical savings at about $750–$800 a year, depending on your value and millage.
La. Const. Art. VII §20 · EBR Parish Assessor
When is the deadline?
You must own and live in the home by December 31 of the tax year. West Baton Rouge accepts applications through December 31 of the year you buy. Filing soon after closing is the safest habit.
EBR and West Baton Rouge parish assessors
Do I have to reapply every year?
No. You file again only if the title changes or you move to a different home.
EBR and West Baton Rouge parish assessors
Does the assessment freeze stop my taxes from going up?
It freezes your assessed value, not the millage. If tax rates change, your bill can still change.
EBR Parish Assessor
Keep reading
Next
Next step
Buying or just closed?
We will point you to the right assessor's office and what to bring. No obligation.
General information about Louisiana property tax exemptions, current as of September 27, 2026. Nicole Gaudet is a licensed Louisiana real estate salesperson, not a tax advisor, attorney or assessor. Confirm eligibility and deadlines with your parish assessor.