More than 400 property owners attended a meeting in Lakeview on Aug. 13 to learn more about property tax appeals. (Danae Columbus)
District D Councilman Jared Brossett, who chairs the council’s Budget Committee, has issued the following statement regarding upcoming hearing notifications for Orleans Parish property owners appealing their tax assessments:
“As a council member and Budget chairman, I am very concerned about the implications recent increases in property tax assessments will have on homeowners, renters and our affordable housing stock. New Orleans has always been a vibrant community with a diverse mix of socio-economic classes. Rising assessments threaten the fabric of our communities by further aggravating the city’s affordability crisis and forcing term residents out of their homes. With more than 70 percent of New Orleanians spending more than 30 percent of their income on housing costs, it is imperative that we have fair and equitable property tax assessments for the entire city. While it will take time to find the right solutions to these issues, I would like to take this opportunity to educate residents about the next stage in the property tax appeals process.
“Residents who are unhappy with their 2020 property tax assessment and filed an appeal with the Orleans Parish Assessor’s Office on or before Aug. 22 will be notified by mail beginning this week regarding their hearing. The letters will come from the New Orleans City Council, acting in its capacity as the Orleans Parish Board of Review.
“The 2020 Property Tax Assessment Appeal Hearings will be held in the Lac Maurepas Meeting Room, Student Life Center 2nd floor, 916 Navarre Ave., Delgado Community College, beginning on Sept. 13. Hearings will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. The letters will include the hearing date and time and will offer contact information for those seeking additional information about the tax assessment appeal process.
“Appellants may also view the 2020 Property Tax Assessment Appeal Hearing Schedule at OrleansTaxAppeal.com. This schedule will be available on the website as soon as all appeals information is compiled, between Sept. 4-9.
“The Board of Review and its hearing officers may consider appeals based on fair market value, or use value, and may not consider other factors for appeal. Documentation that will best support an appeal may include, but is not limited to:
1. Recent appraisal
2. Insurance policy
3. Dated photograph(s) indicating a value that differs from assessed value; and/or
4. Contractor’s repair estimate(s)
“The Board of Review is your first opportunity to contest your assessment before an impartial third-party. I want to assure taxpayers that if they feel that their property has been unfairly assessed, the Board of Review has established a fair and efficient hearing process. Not only do Orleans Parish residents already have the most time to appeal tax assessments (one month versus two weeks) due to a law that I wrote when I was a State Representative, but over the years the City Council has created the most robust appeals process in the state.
“The Board of Review’s hearing officers will give each appellant a fair hearing based on the evidence provided in the appeal documentation, and/or at the hearing. These hearing officers have often differed with the assessor’s determination regarding recommendations to the Board of Review that end up providing relief to taxpayers. Once the appeals hearings are complete, the City Council will convene as the Board of Review on Oct. 16 to receive public comment and certify tax assessments, as adjusted by the Board.
“I realize that this year’s tax assessment process has been especially painful, complicated and drawn-out for many residents, but I am committed to enacting policies that make New Orleans affordable for residents of all income levels.”
“Additional information and resources about the Property Tax Assessment Appeal Process can be found at OrleansTaxAppeal.com, council.nola.gov, by calling 888-229-7314, or by emailing info@orleanstaxappeal.com. For the 2020 Property Tax Assessment Appeal Hearing Schedule, click here.”
