Property Tax Info Frequently Asked Questions:
Tax notices are mailed to St. James Parish property owners in November of each year and payment is due by December 31st.
WHO COLLECTS THE PROPERTY TAXES
The Sheriff is not only the chief law enforcement officer of St. James Parish, but also has the responsibility as the Ex-Officio Tax Collector. The Sheriff collects the parishes taxes according to the tax assessment roll prepared by the tax assessor. Any property with an outstanding balance of the base tax, interest or other penalties or costs, is subject to being sold at the annual tax sale.
WHO COLLECTS TOWN TAXES
If you live in Lutcher or Gramercy, your town taxes are collected by the Town Hall.
WHEN ARE TAXES DUE?
Current year taxes are due by the 31st of December of that year. After this date, the taxes become delinquent and are assessed at a rate of one percent interest per month.
HOW TO PAY YOUR TAXES
IN PERSON at either our Convent office (5800 LA Highway 44, Convent, LA) or Vacherie office (2631 Highway 20, Vacherie).
BY MAIL by writing your check payable to Willy J. Martin, Jr., Tax Collector and mailing to P. O. Box 83, Convent, LA 70723.
ONLINE at www.stjamessheriff.com If you choose to pay your taxes using a debit or credit card, the credit card processing company will charge a convenience fee of 2.45% of the amount due or a minimum fee of $3.95.
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION AND HOW TO FILE
In the state of Louisiana, homeowners are eligible for homestead exemption of the first $75,000 of the assessed value of the home considered their permanent residence. A person can have homestead on only one home. To file for homestead exemption, contact the Tax Assessor’s office at 225-562-2250.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
The tax roll is prepared by the tax assessor’s office. Any change of address should be made at the Tax Assessor’s office or by calling 225-562-2254.
PARTIAL PAYMENTS
If paying in person or by mail, you can make partial payments. Taxes become delinquent January 1st. 1% interest per month will be added to the balance. Any property with an outstanding balance of the base tax, interest or other penalties or costs, is subject to being sold at the annual tax sale.
HAVE A MORTGAGE?
Homeowners should always first check with their mortgage company before paying a bill to avoid double payment. The tax notice is sent to the homeowner only.
PURCHASED PROPERTY WITHIN THE YEAR?
If you purchased property within the year, it’s possible that the tax bill will be mailed to the previous property owner, but the current owner is responsible for all taxes due. We will be happy to assist you in identifying your property and give you the amount due and will mail or email you a copy of the tax notice upon request.
FAILURE TO PAY TAXES BY DECEMBER 31st
If taxes are not paid by December 31st, they become delinquent and are assessed at a rate of 1% interest per month. Certified delinquent tax notices are mailed out April 3rd and will include interest and the certified mail charge. The first advertisement of all tax debtors is printed in the “Parish Journal”, the News-Examiner, May 11th. The second advertisement is printed in the “Parish Journal”, the News-Examiner, June 1st.
FAILURE TO PAY BEFORE TAX SALE
Any delinquent account is subject to be sold at the annual tax sale which is June 7th. Your property will be advertised in the official “Parish Journal”, the News-Examiner twice prior to the sale.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE TAX SALE
The 2022 tax sale will be conducted on June 7th at 10:00 a.m. in the main lobby of the courthouse in Convent. In order to bid on a piece of property at the tax sale, the bidder must register as a buyer prior to the sale. Anyone interested in bidding should arrive by 9:00 a.m. in order to register in time. By law, the Sheriff’s designee accepts bids on an interest in the property starting at 100% interest and gradually bidding down until the lowest bid of 1% is received. Getting 100% interest in the property is what is ideal to the bidder. Please realize that if you bid 1%, yes you are the successful bidder, but you will only have an interest in 1% of the property. The successful buyer will cover the taxes, interest and costs that are due. The buyer must pay by cash or check immediately following the sale. Within the next couple of weeks, a tax sale deed is prepared and filed with the Clerk of Court and a copy mailed to the buyer. Any unsold property will be adjudicated to the Parish of St. James. Adjudicated property has a 5 year redemption period. Then the Parish becomes the owner of the property.
HOW TO REDEEM YOUR PROPERTY
The original owner has up to 3 years from the date the deed is filed in the Clerk’s office to redeem the property. A redemption is calculated and collected by the Tax Collector’s office. The amount of the redemption will include a redemption fee, tax sale fee, the base taxes and monthly interest accrued which is 1% per month and 5% penalty due to the tax buyer.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Convent Office
5800 LA Highway 44
P. O. Box 83
Convent, LA 70723
225-562-2501
225-562-2214
Vacherie Office
2631 Highway 20
Vacherie, LA 70090
225-562-2510