The New Orleans City Council is giving a break to bed-and-breakfast owners who are late paying the room tax rate of 50 cents per day for each occupied room.
The Times-Picayune reports that the penalty has often been much more than the amount due.
The late penalty was at least $500. Council President Stacey Head told the council that the tax for a typical B&B averages less than $60 a month.
The council voted 7-0 to eliminate the $500 minimum for establishments with up to nine guest rooms — the legal limit for B&Bs.
The alternative penalty is 20 percent of the amount due, plus interest.
The $500 minimum will remain in effect for hotels or motels with 10 or more rooms.