What is the property tax rate in St. Tammany County?

The combined effective property tax rate in St. Tammany County, Louisiana is approximately 0.55%.

St. Tammany County Property Tax Calculator (2026) — Louisiana Property Tax Almanac

Property Tax in St. Tammany County, 2026

A calculator and field guide for Slidell-area homeowners — and for anyone considering a move to St. Tammany Parish — including Louisiana's 10% residential assessment ratio, the generous $75,000 Homestead Exemption (LA Const. Art. VII §20 — exempt from state, parish, and special ad valorem; not from municipal), the Special Assessment Level (SAL) freeze for 65+ with AGI ≤ $102,700 (2026, indexed), and the FULL Disabled Veterans Exemption (100% service-connected). Louisiana uses parishes, not counties — a Napoleonic Code legacy from French colonial Louisiana.

St. Tammany Parish, home to Covington and 265k Louisianians, operates under Louisiana\'s parish-based property tax system. Louisiana uses parishes (not counties — the only US state to do so, a Napoleonic Code legacy from French colonial Louisiana). Residential property is assessed at 10% of fair market value. Tax = (AV − homestead) × millage / 1,000. Combined millage includes parish, municipal, school district, and special district levies. The $75,000 Homestead Exemption (LA Const. Art. VII §20) is among the most-generous in the United States — exempt from state, parish, and special ad valorem taxes (NOT from municipal). Effective rates run ~0.55% statewide median — among the lowest in the US.

How the bill is built

Louisiana property tax follows a 4-step calculation. Step 1: Fair Market Value. The St. Tammany Parish Louisiana Assessor determines FMV annually. Step 2: Apply 10% AR. AV = FMV × 10%. So a $200K home has AV = $20K. Step 3: Apply $75,000 Homestead Exemption. First $75,000 of FMV (= $7,500 of AV) exempt from parish/state/special ad valorem. Step 4: Apply tax rate. Tax = (AV − $7,500 homestead) × millage / 1,000. St. Tammany Parish\'s combined millage is ~100 mills (= ~1.00% gross before the homestead, ~0.55% effective post-homestead).

Louisiana\'s $75,000 Homestead Exemption is among the most-generous in the United States — for the median Louisiana home, the homestead often eliminates the entire parish portion of the tax bill. Apply with the parish assessor — automatic renewal as long as owner-occupied. The exemption applies to state, parish, and special ad valorem — but NOT to municipal ad valorem. So homeowners in incorporated cities (New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport) still owe city property tax on the first $75K, while homeowners in unincorporated parish areas often owe $0 in property tax for sub-$75K homes.

The Special Assessment Level (SAL) freeze is Louisiana\'s primary senior protection. Owners 65+ with adjusted gross income at or below $102,700 (2026 limit, indexed by CPI from $100K base set by Amendment 6 of 2020) can freeze their AV at the level when first qualified — preventing value-driven tax increases. Note: SAL does NOT cap millage rate increases (so tax bills can still rise if local taxing entities raise rates). Available also for permanently disabled (any age) and surviving spouses of military killed in action / MIA / POW. Apply with parish assessor. Once granted, the freeze continues automatically as long as ownership and occupancy continue and the value does not increase more than 25% due to construction.

Louisiana provides a FULL property tax exemption for 100% service-connected disabled veterans (LA Const. Art. VII §21, effective 2023) — stacks on top of the regular $75,000 Homestead Exemption. Partial-rating vets receive additional FMV exemptions: 50-69% rating = additional $25K FMV; 70-99% rating = additional $45K FMV. Surviving spouses may retain. Apply with parish assessor with current Form A25 from Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs.

2026 St. Tammany County rate breakdown (consolidated millage per $1,000 of AV (10% AR × FMV), Covington district)

Taxing entity	Rate
Combined parish + municipal + school + special districts (~100 mills × 10% AR = ~0.55% effective post Homestead)	100.0000
Combined total	100.0000

As of April 26, 2026 · From St. Tammany Parish Louisiana Assessor.

Note: St. Tammany Parish is **the affluent North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain** — sitting across the lake from New Orleans (connected by the **Lake Pontchartrain Causeway**, the longest continuous bridge over water in the world at 23.83 miles). Anchored by Slidell (~28K, the largest city — eastern St. Tammany on I-10/I-12), Mandeville (~14K — affluent Causeway-end North Shore community), Covington (~12K, the seat — historic 19th-century town), Madisonville, and Abita Springs (home to Abita Brewing Company). The parish has experienced ~25%+ population growth since 2010 — driven by post-Katrina relocation from Orleans and Jefferson Parish, plus general North Shore exurban growth. Major employment includes substantial healthcare (St. Tammany Health System, Ochsner Northshore), aerospace (Lockheed Martin Michoud Assembly Facility is nearby in eastern Orleans Parish), and retail/services.

Note: St. Tammany Parish effective property tax rates run approximately **0.55% — among the lower in Louisiana**. Combined parish + municipal + school district + special district millage is ~100 mills (× 10% AR = ~1.00% gross, reduced by Louisiana's $75,000 Homestead Exemption to ~0.55% effective). Median home values around $295K (highest in Louisiana outside Orleans Parish luxury) combined with the very low effective rate produce median annual bills around $1,623.

Note: For relocation buyers: St. Tammany Parish offers **the premier New Orleans metro North Shore** option — exceptional Lake Pontchartrain waterfront, the celebrated Covington/Mandeville historic communities, strong public schools (St. Tammany Parish School District is among Louisiana's highest-rated), and direct New Orleans commute via the Causeway (~30-45 min depending on traffic). The trade-off: substantial Causeway commute time, hurricane risk (Hurricane Katrina 2005 caused major North Shore damage), aggressive housing price appreciation since 2018.

Deductions and exemptions for 2026

Louisiana homeowner property tax relief is concentrated in three mechanisms: (1) the $75,000 Homestead Exemption (LA Const. Art. VII §20 — among the most-generous in the United States), (2) the Special Assessment Level (SAL) freeze for owners 65+ with AGI ≤ $102,700 (2026, indexed), and (3) the FULL Disabled Veteran Exemption for 100% service-connected disabled vets (LA Const. Art. VII §21, effective 2023).

$75,000 Homestead Exemption (LA Const. Art. VII §20)

Louisiana\'s $75,000 Homestead Exemption is among the most-generous in the United States — exempts the first $75,000 of fair market value (= $7,500 of AV at 10% AR) from state, parish, and special ad valorem taxes. NOT exempt from municipal ad valorem. For the median Louisiana home (FMV ~$200K), the homestead often eliminates the entire parish portion of the tax bill. Only one homestead exemption per landowner. Apply with parish assessor — automatic renewal as long as owner-occupied.

Special Assessment Level (SAL) — Senior/Disabled Freeze

The SAL is a true AV freeze (not a millage rate cap) for qualifying owners. Eligibility: 65+ with AGI ≤ $102,700 (2026 limit, indexed by CPI from $100K base set by Amendment 6 of 2020); OR permanently disabled (any age); OR surviving spouse of military killed in action / MIA / POW (with income test). Once granted, AV freezes at the level when first qualified. Continues automatically as long as ownership and occupancy continue and value does not increase more than 25% due to construction. Apply with parish assessor.

FULL Disabled Veteran Exemption (100% service-connected)

Louisiana provides a FULL property tax exemption for veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled (LA Const. Art. VII §21, effective 2023) — stacks on top of the regular $75,000 Homestead Exemption. Partial-rating vets receive additional FMV exemptions: 50-69% rating = additional $25K FMV; 70-99% rating = additional $45K FMV. Surviving spouses may retain. Apply with parish assessor with current Form A25 from Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs.

Appealing your assessment

Louisiana property tax appeals follow a 3-tier process. Level 1: Parish Assessor. File written appeal during the open inspection period (typically 15 days in August/September each year — varies by parish). Level 2: Parish Board of Review. If unresolved, appeal to the Parish Board of Review within 3 business days of the open inspection period closing. The Board holds quasi-judicial hearings. Level 3: Louisiana Tax Commission. Board decisions can be appealed to the Louisiana Tax Commission within 10 business days. From there to District Court. Most Louisiana appeals are resolved at Level 1 or Level 2.

Cities and towns in St. Tammany County

St. Tammany County contains 5 incorporated municipalities, ranging from Covington to the smallest village. Search volume for property tax is often city-specific, so here is the complete list — with population from the 2020 US Census, rounded to the nearest 100.

Data: US Census Bureau, 2020 Decennial Census. Populations rounded. Cities marked as "split" straddle a county border — the portion inside St. Tammany County is subject to St. Tammany County's tax rolls, while the portion outside is subject to the adjacent county's.

City or town	Type	Population (2020)
Slidell	city	28,000
Mandeville	city	14,000
Covington County seat	city	12,000
Abita Springs	town	2,700
Madisonville	town	800

About city-level property tax rates: The rate breakdown and calculator on this page reflect the Covington tax district. Other cities in St. Tammany County may pay into different school districts, city rates, and special districts — so their combined rates can differ, sometimes substantially. Always verify the specific rates for your address with the St. Tammany Parish Louisiana Assessor before relying on any estimate.

Frequently asked questions

When are Louisiana property taxes due?

Louisiana property tax bills are typically mailed in November and are due by December 31. Late payments after December 31 accrue interest (1% per month) and the property may be subject to tax sale if delinquent for an extended period (varies by parish). Most Louisiana homeowners pay through escrow via mortgage servicer.

Why does Louisiana use parishes instead of counties?

Louisiana uses parishes — the only US state to do so. The term is a Napoleonic Code legacy from French and Spanish colonial Louisiana, when the Catholic Church\'s ecclesiastical parishes served as administrative subdivisions. When Louisiana was admitted to the United States in 1812, it kept the parish structure. There are 64 parishes in Louisiana. Functionally, parishes are equivalent to counties in other US states — they have parish governments (often called Police Juries, though some parishes use Parish Council government), elected parish assessors (rather than county assessors), and parish-level taxing authority.

How does the $75,000 Homestead Exemption work?

Louisiana\'s $75,000 Homestead Exemption (LA Const. Art. VII §20) is among the most-generous in the United States. It exempts the first $75,000 of fair market value (= $7,500 of AV at 10% AR) from state, parish, and special ad valorem taxes. Note: NOT exempt from municipal ad valorem. So homeowners in incorporated cities (New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport) still owe city property tax on the first $75K, while homeowners in unincorporated parish areas often owe $0 in property tax for sub-$75K homes. Apply with parish assessor — automatic renewal as long as owner-occupied.

What is the Special Assessment Level (SAL) freeze?

The Special Assessment Level (SAL) is Louisiana\'s primary senior protection — a true AV freeze (not a millage rate cap) for owners 65+ with adjusted gross income at or below $102,700 (2026 limit, indexed by CPI from $100K base set by Amendment 6 of 2020). Once granted, the AV freezes at the level when first qualified — preventing value-driven tax increases. Available also for permanently disabled (any age) and surviving spouses of military killed in action / MIA / POW. The SAL stacks with the regular $75,000 Homestead Exemption. Apply with parish assessor. Continues automatically as long as ownership and occupancy continue and value does not increase more than 25% due to construction.

How does the Disabled Veteran exemption work in Louisiana?

Louisiana provides a FULL property tax exemption for veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled (LA Const. Art. VII §21, effective 2023) — stacks on top of the regular $75,000 Homestead Exemption. Partial-rating vets receive additional FMV exemptions: 50-69% rating = additional $25K FMV exemption; 70-99% rating = additional $45K FMV exemption; 100% = FULL exemption. Surviving spouses may retain. Apply with parish assessor with current Form A25 from Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs.

How do I appeal my Louisiana assessment?

Louisiana property tax appeals follow a 3-tier process. Level 1: Parish Assessor. File written appeal during the open inspection period (typically 15 days in August/September each year — varies by parish). Level 2: Parish Board of Review. Within 3 business days of the open inspection period closing. Level 3: Louisiana Tax Commission. Within 10 business days. From there to District Court. Most appeals are resolved at Level 1 or Level 2.

About St. Tammany County

Beyond the property tax — a few things you might not know about the place.

Weird fact

The **Lake Pontchartrain Causeway** is **the longest continuous bridge over water in the world** — 23.83 miles (38.35 km) of continuous bridge with no break for shipping channels. The Causeway consists of two parallel 2-lane bridges (the original southbound bridge opened 1956, the parallel northbound bridge opened 1969). The Causeway has held the Guinness World Record for longest bridge over water continuously since 1969. The bridge's middle 8 miles are **completely out of sight of land** in either direction — a uniquely disorienting driving experience, particularly in fog. The Causeway is operated as a toll road by the Causeway Commission ($5 northbound; southbound is free for prepaid customers). Approximately **40,000 vehicles cross daily**.

Hometown hero

Anne Rice (Mandeville resident)

The American author Anne Rice (1941-2021) — the celebrated author of **Interview with the Vampire** (1976) and the Vampire Chronicles series, plus The Witching Hour (1990) and the Mayfair Witches series, with combined sales of 100+ million books globally — **lived in Mandeville, St. Tammany Parish from 2005 until her death in December 2021**. Rice had previously lived in New Orleans' Garden District for decades but relocated to the North Shore after Hurricane Katrina (2005) destroyed substantial Garden District infrastructure. Rice's celebrated New Orleans Vampire Chronicles novels — Interview with the Vampire (adapted into the 1994 film starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, plus the 2022-on AMC TV series Interview with the Vampire) — established a substantial Anne Rice cultural tourism industry that continues to draw visitors to both Orleans and St. Tammany. Other notable St. Tammany figures include **Britney Spears** (the pop legend, born 1981 in McComb, MS but raised in Kentwood, Tangipahoa Parish, just west of St. Tammany).

Biggest annual event

Mardi Gras parades + Abita Springs Push Mow Parade

St. Tammany Parish hosts substantial Mardi Gras parade traditions — particularly in Mandeville, Covington, and Slidell — with the iconic **Krewe of Olympia** (the oldest Mardi Gras krewe on the North Shore, since 1969) and the celebrated **Krewe of Tchefuncte** boat parade. The **Abita Springs Push Mow Parade** (annual, July 4th in Abita Springs, since 2002) is a uniquely Louisiana Independence Day tradition where participants push manual lawnmowers (decorated and themed) down Abita Springs' Main Street — drawing 5,000+ attendees. The Tammany Trace (a 31-mile rails-to-trails greenway across St. Tammany) is among the most-celebrated US biking/walking trails.

Property Tax in St. Tammany County, 2026