Storm damage could force assessors to adjust

The state Tax Commission says this year's tax assessments may be reduced for property damaged by Hurricane Isaac.

The Courier reports that the process of asking tax assessors for a review varies among parishes.

For example, St. Tammany Parish Assessor Patricia Schwarz Core said she wants property owners to contact her office now, and she is making review forms available online.

But in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes, the assessors' offices want residents and businesses to wait until after this year's tax notifications are mailed out before asking for a review.

Officials from both parishes say notifications will go out around Thanksgiving week, if not earlier. Terrebonne and Lafourche property owners will have six months after that to appeal assessments based on damage from Hurricane Isaac.