Are you thinking about or have you bought a home recently?  You might find the closing process daunting and confusing.  One of the things your closing attorney will tell you is to visit your Assessor’s Office and make sure to sign your homestead exemption.  In the whirlwind of reading and signing paperwork, you might miss this piece of very important information. 

The homestead exemption is an exemption from parish property taxes that you pay on your home.  The exemption covers the first $75,000 of your home’s value.  To qualify for this exemption, you must own and live in the home, and not be claiming a homestead exemption on any other home.  Homeowners who believe they qualify must apply in person at our office located on the first floor of the Rapides Parish Courthouse.

The application process is simple.  You will need to bring a copy of your deed and our office will do the rest.  You will sign an affidavit stating that you own and live on the property and that you are not claiming an exemption on any other property inside or outside the state of Louisiana.

Here is an example of the benefit of the homestead exemption:  If your home is valued at $100,000 and your millage rate is 100.00 mills, you would pay $1,000.00 in property taxes per year if you did not apply for this exemption.  By applying, your new tax amount would be $250.00 saving you $750.00 per year.

Please remember, the homestead is not automatically granted to you.  Your closing attorney cannot apply for, nor sign the exemption for you.  You must apply through the Assessor’s Office.  As your Assessor for Rapides Parish, if I or any of my staff can ever be of assistance to you, please don’t hesitate to call us at (318) 448-8511.