Jefferson Davis Parish Tax Records

Jefferson Davis Parish property tax records are kept by the parish assessor's office in Jennings. You can search for parcel data, assessed values, and tax bill details through the assessor's website or the Totaland portal. The office lists all land, homes, and business property for ad valorem tax purposes. Whether you own a house in Jennings or farmland out in the parish, you can look up your property tax records from home at no charge. Staff at the assessor's office also take calls and walk-in visits if you need more help with your records.

Jefferson Davis Parish Assessor's Office

The Jefferson Davis Parish Assessor's Office is the main source for property tax records in the parish. Donald G. Kratzer serves as assessor with Brittney Esthay as chief deputy. The office handles all real estate, personal property used in business, and oil and gas equipment for tax listing purposes. Staff are available during normal business hours to help you look up records, file for homestead exemption, or ask about your assessed value. The office sits at 300 N. State Street, Suite 103, in Jennings.

You can reach the office by phone at (337) 824-3451 or by fax at (337) 824-7681. Email is also an option at assessor@jeffdavisassessor.org. For questions about parcel data in particular, the alternate contact number is (337) 821-5534. That line handles data concerns tied to the Totaland system the parish uses for property records.

The assessor's website gives you an overview of how the office works and your rights as a property owner in Jefferson Davis Parish.

From this site you can find contact details, learn about exemptions, and access links to the online property search tool.

Searching Jefferson Davis Parish Property Tax Records

Jefferson Davis Parish uses the Totaland system for its online property data portal. You can access it at jdpe.totaland.com to look up parcels by owner name, address, or parcel number. The system shows assessed values, legal descriptions, and ownership info. Parcel data was last updated on January 21, 2024, so some recent sales may not yet show up. If you spot an error in the data, the office asks that you call (337) 821-5534 to report it.

The Totaland portal is a solid way to pull up Jefferson Davis Parish property tax records from home. Results load fast. Each parcel page shows the key facts you need.

Below is a look at the Jefferson Davis Parish property search portal through Totaland.

Use this tool to search by name or address and view assessed values for any parcel in the parish.

Jefferson Davis Parish Property Tax Assessments

All property in Jefferson Davis Parish is assessed based on fair market value as set by La. R.S. 47:2321. That law says fair market value is the price a willing buyer and a willing seller would agree on under normal conditions. Residential land and homes get assessed at 10% of that value. Commercial property is assessed at 15%. These rates come from the Louisiana Constitution, Article VII, Section 18, which applies across all 64 parishes in the state.

Under La. R.S. 47:2331, real property in Jefferson Davis Parish must be reappraised at least once every four years. The Louisiana Tax Commission decides the exact reassessment cycle. During those years, property values can shift up or down based on what the market does. New construction or major work on a property will trigger a new assessed value in the next tax year no matter where the parish sits in the four-year cycle. Business personal property and oil and gas equipment get reassessed each year.

The homestead exemption is a big help for homeowners. Under La. R.S. 47:1703, you get a $7,500 cut in assessed value on your primary home, which equals about $75,000 off the market value. Seniors aged 65 and up may also qualify for a special assessment level freeze under La. R.S. 47:1703.1 that locks their assessed value as long as their income stays below a set limit. You have to apply for both at the assessor's office in Jennings.

Paying Property Taxes in Jefferson Davis Parish

The Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff's Office acts as the ex-officio tax collector for the parish. Tax bills go out near the end of each year. They are due by December 31. After that date, unpaid taxes start to build interest at 1% per month under Louisiana law. If taxes stay unpaid long enough, the property can be sold at a tax sale.

Under La. R.S. 47:1951, all real property in Louisiana is subject to taxation unless the state constitution says otherwise. January 1 is the assessment date each year, so the value on that date is what your tax bill is based on for that year. Contact the sheriff's office for payment options or to check the status of a past tax bill.

Note: If you do not get a tax notice in the mail, you are still responsible for paying on time.

Jefferson Davis Parish on the State Assessor Directory

The Louisiana Assessors' Association directory lists contact info for all 64 parish assessors. You can use this page to compare offices, find phone numbers, and link to each parish assessor's website. It is a good starting point if you own property in more than one parish or need to reach a neighboring assessor's office for any reason.

Below is a view of the state assessor directory page.

This directory is maintained by the Louisiana Assessors' Association and is updated as new assessors take office or contact details change.

Jefferson Davis Parish Tax Assessment Appeals

If you think your property assessment is wrong, Louisiana law gives you a clear path to challenge it. Under La. R.S. 47:1992, each parish has a Board of Review that hears property tax disputes. You get 15 days after the assessment rolls open for public viewing to file your appeal. If you miss that deadline, you lose the right to contest your assessment for that tax year. Start by talking to the assessor's office in Jennings before you file anything formal. Many issues can be settled right there.

If the Board of Review rules against you, the next step is the Louisiana Tax Commission. You have 10 business days after the board's decision to submit your appeal. After that, you can seek judicial review within 30 days. The timelines are strict, so keep track of every date.

Nearby Parishes

These parishes border Jefferson Davis Parish. If you own land near a parish line, check with the right assessor's office to make sure your property tax records are filed in the correct place.