taxes

Voters across the state will decide whether New Orleans residents get to vote on raising property taxes. House Bill 111 was given final passage Thursday. It would nearly double the portion of property taxes that go to police and fire protection from about 10 mills to 20 mills.

The measure needs a series of approvals before taxes would rise. Voters statewide and in New Orleans would have to approve it in November. And voters in New Orleans would have to approve it again in another vote.

There will be no new taxes on cigarettes in New Orleans. The legislature voted down the 80-cent tax on tobacco products Wednesday morning.

The cigarette tax bill was one of two bills supported by Mayor Mitch Landrieu to shore up the New Orleans city budget.

The second bill, to raise the city’s hotel tax by 1.75 percentage points, was returned to the calendar Wednesday afternoon to be voted on at a later date.

If the hotel tax is passed in the legislature, it still would have to pass muster with Governor Bobby Jindal.

The City of New Orleans has extended the deadline for paying 2014 property taxes to Friday, Feb. 7 due to the closure of City Hall as a result of the winter storm that shut down much of the region this week.

Property owners can make payments in several ways, including in-person, by mail and online:

In person:

Bureau of the Treasury
City Hall, Room 1W40

The City will provide a drop-off lane at the Perdido St. entrance to City Hall on Friday, Jan. 31 and Friday, Feb. 7.

As Louisiana's latest amnesty program for delinquent taxpayers begins Monday, state officials are grappling with dueling concerns as they urge people to pony up what they owe.

Lawmakers and Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration need the program to help drum up $200 million in back-owed taxes to balance this year's budget or face deep cuts in the state's health care programs.

La. state tax credits aren't just for Hollywood producers any more. This week on Out to Lunch, Peter Loop introduces eTax Credit Exchange where YOU can buy a credit and lower your taxes. Orleans Parish Assessor Eroll Williams will also lower your taxes, if you can convince him. Plus, want everyone in NOLA to send you money? Click here: FundDat.

Unless it's your birthday, you've just been promoted, or find out that you have the winning Powerball numbers, April 15 is not the most celebrated day in America.

But wait! If you're about to opt for that last-minute extension, maybe, just maybe, there's a way to make Tax Day fun, New Orleans-style...

Gov. Bobby Jindal will address the state legislature today at 1 p.m.

The governor is expected to talk about his tax proposals, including the elimination of the state income tax and an increase in sales taxes to make up the difference. His proposals have run into strong opposition from the public and from the legislature.

You can watch a live video of the address on LPB's website.