Louisiana Veterans Property Tax Benefits
Full exemptions, surviving spouse protections, and everything you need to know about claiming what you've earned.
Louisiana Veterans Property Tax Benefits
Louisiana offers some of the strongest property tax exemptions in the country for qualified veterans. If you are a disabled veteran or surviving spouse, you may qualify for significant reductions — or even a full exemption — on your primary residence.
100% Disabled Veterans: Full Property Tax Exemption
Under the Louisiana Constitution (Article VII, §21), veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are exempt from all ad valorem (property) taxes on their primary residence — with no cap on the home's value.
This is one of the most powerful homeownership benefits available to veterans in any state. If you qualify, your entire annual property tax bill on your homestead goes to zero.
Surviving Spouse Protections
If a veteran who received the full exemption passes away, their surviving spouse may continue to receive the exemption — provided they meet the following conditions:
- ✓ The surviving spouse has not remarried
- ✓ The surviving spouse continues to own the property
- ✓ The property remains the surviving spouse's primary residence
- ✓ The spouse applies to maintain the exemption through the parish assessor's office
This protection ensures that a veteran's family is not burdened by property taxes after their loss. The exemption does not automatically transfer — the surviving spouse must contact their parish assessor to update the exemption in their name.
Property Tax Exemptions for Veterans in Louisiana
In addition to the standard Homestead Exemption, Louisiana provides additional assessment reductions for veterans with service-connected disabilities. These benefits apply to your primary residence and are filed through your local parish assessor's office.
100% Service-Connected Disability Exemption
Veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs may qualify for a full parish property tax exemption on their primary residence.
To receive this exemption, the parish assessor will require official documentation from the VA confirming 100% service-connected disability status.
Where to Obtain Your VA Disability Certification
Veterans in the Shreveport–Bossier area may obtain the required disability verification letter through the Bossier City VA Clinic .
Bring your official VA disability determination letter to your parish assessor's office when filing for the exemption.
Partial Disability Exemptions
Louisiana also offers additional assessment reductions for veterans with disability ratings below 100%. The exemption amount increases based on the percentage of service-connected disability.
Because these reductions affect assessed value calculations, it is important to file documentation with your parish assessor promptly after purchase or rating determination.
Additional Homestead Exemption for Service-Connected Disabilities
Veterans with a service-connected disability rating may also qualify for an additional Homestead Exemption beyond the standard $7,500 reduction available to all Louisiana homeowners. This additional exemption is applied on top of the standard Homestead Exemption and further reduces your taxable assessed value.
Standard Homestead Exemption
Available to all qualifying Louisiana homeowners. Reduces taxable assessed value by $7,500 on your primary residence.
Additional Veterans Exemption
Veterans with a service-connected disability may qualify for an additional $7,500 reduction in taxable assessed value — stacking on top of the standard exemption.
100% Disabled Veteran Exemption
Replaces all other exemptions with a complete elimination of ad valorem taxes on the primary residence. No partial calculation required.
Surviving Spouse Continuation
Eligible surviving spouses may continue the veteran's exemption as long as they remain unmarried and occupy the property as their primary residence.
How to File for Your Veteran Property Tax Exemption
Veteran exemptions are filed directly through your parish assessor's office. If you are unsure which parish to contact, use our statewide lookup tool below.
What You Need to File
The veterans exemption is applied through your local parish assessor's office — the same place you file your standard Homestead Exemption. Requirements may vary slightly by parish, but most will ask for the following:
- Completed veterans exemption application (available at your parish assessor's office)
- Government-issued photo ID
- Proof of primary residence (utility bill, driver's license with property address)
- Recorded deed showing ownership of the property
- VA disability rating letter confirming your service-connected disability percentage
- DD-214 or other discharge documentation
- Social Security number
Contact your specific parish assessor to confirm their exact requirements and current office hours before you visit. A full list of parish assessors is available on the Resources page.
Pro Tip: How This Affects Your Mortgage Escrow
Escrow adjustments after a veterans exemption can be confusing. Here's what to expect.
If you qualify for the full veterans exemption and your property tax bill goes almost to zero (with the exception of certain fees such as ambulance service), your mortgage servicer will eventually adjust your monthly escrow payment to reflect the reduced tax obligation.
Louisiana property taxes are paid in December, retroactive for the year.
Your annual escrow review typically happens around your loan anniversary — not immediately. If you qualify for the exemption after closing, your servicer will usually continue collecting the original estimated tax amount until they receive updated tax information from the parish assessor (often in December when taxes are paid) or documentation confirming the revised amount.
If You Purchased or Refinanced with the Acadiana Mortgage Team
- File your veterans exemption as early as possible. (For purchases, allow approximately two weeks after closing to ensure your deed has been recorded.)
- Send us the paperwork you receive from the parish tax assessor.
- We will forward it to your loan servicer and formally request an escrow review to reevaluate your payment.
This process can help you avoid overpaying into escrow and may result in a refund of surplus funds.
I consider myself your mortgage advisor for life — not just at closing.
If I originated your mortgage, don't hesitate to reach back out — even if another company is currently collecting your payments. Servicing transfers are common, but your relationship with me doesn't change. I remain your local mortgage advocate and am always happy to review your escrow analysis and make sure everything is being handled correctly.
If you used another lender, I'm still happy to help. You may just need to provide a current mortgage statement or escrow analysis so I can review the details accurately. Having a local expert look it over can prevent costly mistakes.
Use me as a resource. I want to be valuable to you long-term. Leverage my experience — especially when it comes to Louisiana-specific rules, tax exemptions, and VA benefits that many lenders outside our area may not fully understand.
And if you'd like a second set of eyes on your numbers, you can always schedule a quick review with me here .
Structuring Your Loan Correctly From the Start
If you are purchasing or refinancing using VA financing, your property tax structure matters. Understanding how exemptions affect escrow calculations can help ensure your payment is set up accurately from day one.
As a Louisiana VA loan specialist, I help veterans structure financing with both federal benefits and parish-level tax exemptions in mind.
Schedule a VA Strategy SessionCommon Questions
Do I need to re-file the veterans exemption every year?
No. Once filed and approved, the exemption renews automatically each year as long as you continue to own and occupy the property as your primary residence and your VA disability rating remains the same. You would need to re-file if you move to a new home or if there is a change in ownership.
Does the exemption apply to investment properties or second homes?
No. The veterans property tax exemption applies only to your primary residence — the home you live in as your main dwelling. Investment properties, vacation homes, and rental properties do not qualify, regardless of your disability rating.
I just received my 100% rating. Can I get a refund on taxes already paid?
The exemption typically applies from the date it is filed and approved going forward. Retroactive refunds for prior tax years are generally not available, though you should contact your parish assessor to confirm the exact effective date for your filing. Filing promptly after receiving your rating letter is important.
What happens to the exemption if I refinance?
A refinance typically does not affect your veterans property tax exemption, because the exemption is tied to the property and your ownership — not the loan itself. However, it's always worth confirming with your parish assessor that your exemption remains on file, particularly if your deed is updated as part of the refinance process.
Can I receive both the Homestead Exemption and the veterans exemption?
If you qualify for the 100% disabled veteran full exemption, it supersedes the standard Homestead Exemption — your taxes are eliminated entirely rather than partially reduced. For veterans with partial disability ratings, the additional veterans exemption stacks on top of the standard Homestead Exemption. Your parish assessor will apply the appropriate combination based on your eligibility.
My servicer is still collecting property taxes in escrow after I received my exemption. What should I do?
If your veterans exemption has been approved but your servicer is still collecting property taxes in escrow, first make sure you have written documentation from the parish tax assessor confirming the exemption.
With that documentation, you can request a formal escrow analysis from your mortgage servicer so your monthly payment is recalculated. If you've been overpaying, you may receive a refund of surplus funds once the review is completed.
If you purchased or refinanced with the Acadiana Mortgage Team, I recommend reaching out to me first. Even if another company is currently servicing your loan, I remain your local mortgage advocate and can help ensure the adjustment is handled correctly.
If you used another lender, I'm still happy to help. You may just need to provide a recent mortgage statement or escrow analysis so I can review the details accurately and prevent unnecessary delays.
Use me as a resource. I want to be valuable to you long after closing.
Not sure how your veterans exemption affects your loan or escrow?
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