News Summary
Property owners in New Orleans have until October 23, 2025, to pay their delinquent taxes or risk losing their properties in the upcoming tax sale. Affecting unpaid taxes from 2022, 2023, and 2024, this tax sale is the last under the current Louisiana system. Property owners must fully pay older taxes before applying payments to recent dues. A new tax-lien system will begin on January 1, 2026, introducing significant changes that could impact property equity at auction. Owners are encouraged to act quickly to avoid severe consequences.
New Orleans property owners facing unpaid taxes have a looming deadline as the annual property tax sale is set to occur from October 21-23, 2025. This sale will involve properties with delinquent taxes from the years 2022, 2023, and 2024. Property owners are urged to clear their outstanding tax bills by the close of business on October 23, to prevent their properties from being included in the auction.
Before applying payments to recent years’ taxes, property owners must ensure all taxes owed from years preceding 2022 are paid in full. Delinquent property listings can be found by residents and prospective buyers on www.CivicSource.com, providing a comprehensive overview of properties that will be available for bidding.
Tax Sale Details and Payment Methods
This tax sale represents the final occurrence under the current Louisiana system which offers property owners a three-year redemption period. During this time, they can reclaim their properties by paying the owed taxes, along with 1% monthly interest and a one-time 5% penalty. If owners do not redeem their tax debts and their properties are sold in auction, they may retain any equity if the winning bid is less than the full amount owed.
As part of the sale, payments will only be accepted via cash or cashier’s checks at this time to avoid processing delays. Electronic payments are not permitted. Owners can send their payments either via mail to the City of New Orleans Bureau of Treasury P.O. Box or deliver them directly to the Bureau’s office located on Perdido Street.
Implications of the Upcoming Changes
A significant shift is approaching as a new tax-lien system will take effect on January 1, 2026. Under this forthcoming system, investors will begin to bid on the interest rate associated with the unpaid tax debt, starting at 1% a month and potentially reducing to as low as 0.7%. This new process alters the landscape for property owners since it poses a higher risk of losing equity in their properties if they fail to settle the delinquent taxes after the three-year period, especially since bidding may start at two-thirds of the property’s market value.
Consequences of Non-Payment
Failure to pay delinquent taxes will lead to properties being sold through a public auction process, with a lien being placed on the affected properties. In scenarios where no bidders emerge during the tax sale, the city will take over control of the lien, further complicating the future of the property owner.
As the tax sale date approaches, it is crucial for property owners in New Orleans to be aware of their financial responsibilities and the potential consequences of non-payment. With a clear understanding of impending changes to the tax systems and deadlines, owners can take proactive steps to avoid the loss of their properties.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- New Orleans City Business: Annual Property Tax Sale 2025
- NOLA: New Orleans Property Tax Sale
- WWLTV: City Hall Announces Annual Tax Sale
- Google Search: Property Tax Sale New Orleans
- Wikipedia: Taxation in the United States
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
