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LAPLACE — Residents who experienced damage to their homes during Hurricane Ida may be able to lower their 2021 property tax bill by requesting a disaster reassessment from the St. John the Baptist Parish Assessor’s Office.

The disaster reassessment form is available online at StJohnAssessor.org.

“We would like the public to go to our website and fill out this form to tell us how much damage they got, whether they were flooded or rain came down through the roof. We want to have this information so we can reassess accordingly. We understand that people are hurting and need assistance, and that’s what we’re trying to do in a way that is fair,” said Lucien Gauff III, St. John Parish Assessor.

The change reflected in an individual’s tax bill will be dependent upon the amount of damage sustained during the storm.

The form will ask for your name, address, insurance information, and the extent of damage to various components of the property, such as the roof, foundation, doors/windows and exterior/interior finish.

Supporting information must be provided for consideration. This may include the insurance adjuster’s report, insurance claim and reward letter, FEMA claim and reward letter, contractor receipt for repairs or photos of damage.

The deadline to apply is October 31, but Gauff said his office will work with residents with extenuating circumstances.

It’s the assessor’s responsibility to discover, list and value all property subject to ad valorem taxation in St. John Parish on an assessment roll each year. The assessor does not raise or lower taxes or make the laws impacting property owners. Rather, the assessor’s responsibility is to determine the fair market value of a property.

A property’s assessed value is applied to the millage rate voted on by the public and levied by taxing bodies in the parish. Property taxes fund the parish government, sheriff’s office, public schools and more.

The Assessor’s Office is operating daily at 1811 W. Airline Highway in LaPlace.