Caddo Parish Property Tax: Deadlines & Appeal Guide (2026)

Direct answer: For the 2026 Caddo Parish tax roll, the books are open August 17–31, 2026, and all assessment appeals must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. File the Louisiana Tax Commission Form 3101, Appeal to Board of Review by Property Owner/Taxpayer for Real and Personal Property, with the Caddo Parish Commission Clerk; the hearing is scheduled for September 14, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. before the Caddo Parish Commission sitting as the Tax Board of Review. (caddoassessor.org)

How assessments work in Caddo Parish

Caddo Parish follows Louisiana’s statewide ad valorem system. The Caddo Parish Assessor sets fair market value for local real estate; Louisiana classifies land and residential improvements at 10% of fair market value for assessed value, while many nonresidential classes are assessed at different percentages. Louisiana law also requires real property to be reappraised at least every four years, and personal property annually. (legis.la.gov)

For a homeowner, the basic math is: market value × 10% = assessed value, then subtract exemptions, then multiply by the millage rate. Caddo’s FAQ gives the same structure and explains that one mill is one-tenth of one percent; it also shows the homestead exemption as a $7,500 reduction from assessed value, not a $7,500 reduction from your bill. (caddoassessor.org)

The appeal you file in September is about the assessment/value, not whether taxes feel high. Millage rates are set by taxing bodies. Caddo’s latest posted official rate sheet is for 2025: parish-wide totals were 128.18 mills for Shreveport/Vivian/Bossier City base districts, 131.25 mills outside those cities, and 156.50 mills for City of Shreveport property after adding the city millage. (caddoassessor.org)

Whether you should appeal

Appeal if you can show the Assessor’s market value is too high as of the tax year, or that the property record is wrong. Strong Caddo homeowner evidence usually includes: recent arms-length sales of similar homes near you; a closing disclosure or appraisal if you bought recently; photos and repair estimates for foundation, roof, HVAC, flood, fire, or deferred-maintenance issues; and a copy of your Caddo property record showing wrong living area, condition, extra buildings, or land characteristics.

Do not wait for the December tax bill. The Assessor’s FAQ warns that the legal protest period is when the assessment rolls are open in late August/early September; after the bill is sent, staff may discuss the assessment, but you generally cannot legally file that year’s protest then. (caddoassessor.org)

Also check exemptions before appealing. If you own and occupy the home, file for Homestead Exemption with the Assessor. Caddo says the application should be filed as soon as you become owner, may be filed any time during the calendar year, and remains until ownership or primary-residence status changes. (caddoassessor.org) If you are 65 or older, or qualify under disability/veteran rules, ask about the Special Assessment Level freeze; the Caddo form says the property must be homestead-exempt to qualify. (caddoassessor.org)

A realistic Shreveport example: suppose the Assessor lists your home at $250,000. Residential assessed value is $25,000. With homestead, taxable assessed value is about $17,500. At the latest posted Shreveport total of 156.50 mills, the bill portion tied to that value is roughly $17,500 × .15650 = $2,738.75. If your evidence supports a corrected value of $225,000, assessed value falls to $22,500, taxable assessed value becomes $15,000, and tax is $2,347.50. Potential annual savings: about $391.25. That is worth filing if you have credible evidence; it is not worth guessing or relying only on online estimates.

Published success rates or median homeowner reductions for Caddo were not found in official Caddo or Louisiana Tax Commission sources. Caddo minutes do show real appeals are handled case-by-case, and that lack of owner authorization, missing evidence, late communication, or failure to appear can hurt an appeal. (caddo.gov)

Step-by-step how to file

1. Look up your property record. Caddo provides a free public real-estate search where homeowners can search owner name, subdivision, section-township-range, and view GIS mapping. (caddoassessor.org)

2. Talk to the Assessor during open books. For 2026, that window is August 17 through August 31. Bring your comps, appraisal, repair estimates, photos, and any record-card corrections. The Assessor may make changes during the public exposure period. (caddoassessor.org)

3. Use the correct form. The official form is Form 3101 — Exhibit A — Appeal to Board of Review by Property Owner/Taxpayer for Real and Personal Property. Official source URL: https://stax.latax.la.gov/API//v1/UploadDocuments/25. The form asks for the Assessor’s fair market value for land/improvements and the value you are requesting. (stax.latax.la.gov)

4. File by the Caddo deadline. The 2026 Caddo Assessor timetable says all appeals must be received by 5:00 p.m. September 8, 2026. Because Labor Day is Monday, September 7, do not assume a weekend or holiday mailing will protect you; make sure the Clerk receives it by the stated deadline. (caddoassessor.org)

5. Where to file. Caddo’s prior official public notice directed appeals to Jeff Everson, Commission Clerk, Caddo Parish Commission, Government Plaza, Shreveport, Louisiana, and said appeals were to be filed in the Commission Clerk’s office, First Floor, Government Plaza, 505 Travis Street, Shreveport. The Commission Clerk’s current office page lists 505 Travis St., Suite 800, Shreveport, LA 71101, P.O. Box 1127, Shreveport, LA 71163, and Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. hours. (louisianapublicnotice.com)

6. Filing methods. In person: deliver to the Commission Clerk/Government Plaza and get a stamped copy. Mail: send early enough for receipt by 5 p.m. September 8; use tracking or certified mail. Portal: no Caddo Board of Review online appeal portal was found in official Caddo sources. Email: no official Caddo email filing address for Board of Review appeals was found; use email only if the Commission Clerk or Assessor confirms in writing. Fee: no local filing fee is stated on Form 3101 or Caddo’s posted 2026 timetable; if you hire an appraiser or mail certified copies, those are your costs.

What happens after

The appeal authority is the Caddo Parish Commission sitting as the Tax Board of Review. For 2026, Caddo’s timetable sets appeal hearings at the Caddo Commission at 1:00 p.m. on September 14, 2026. Caddo agendas and minutes show the meeting is a public Commission special session in Government Plaza Chambers, with the Assessor presenting appeals and Commissioners voting. (caddoassessor.org)

Louisiana rules allow the Board of Review to hear written or oral complaints and to increase or decrease an assessment according to fair market or use value. The rules also say the Board must provide written notice of its determination and include the next-level appeal form. The Board’s decision becomes final unless appealed to the Louisiana Tax Commission within 30 calendar days of actual delivery or written transmission of the Board decision, whichever comes first. (stax.latax.la.gov)

If you lose and continue, use Form 3103.A — Appeal to Louisiana Tax Commission by Property Owner/Taxpayer or Assessor for Real and Personal Property. The Tax Commission rule says to include the Board of Review decision/notification letter and that Tax Commission appeals may be filed by certified/registered mail or electronically on the Commission’s website. (stax.latax.la.gov)

Local tips

Do not file a bare protest. Caddo’s 2025 minutes repeatedly mention missing authorization, missing financial support, late filings, and no one appearing to contest the Assessor’s presentation. For homeowners, translate that into: sign the form yourself, attach evidence, and show up or confirm whether your written record will be considered without you. (caddo.gov)

Use Caddo’s own records against errors. The free property search is useful for checking living area, outbuildings, land size, sale history, tax district, and homestead status. If the error is factual—wrong square footage, demolished structure, double-counted improvement—lead with that.

Remember the tax bill deadline is separate. Caddo property tax bills are sent near year-end by the Sheriff/Tax Collector, and Caddo sources state taxes are due by December 31. An assessment appeal is handled before that bill arrives. (caddosheriff.org)

Caddo Parish Property Tax Rate

Latest official posted Caddo Parish Assessor millage is the 2025 tax-rate schedule. Rates are location-dependent: total parish-wide tax is 128.18 mills for Shreveport, Vivian, and Bossier City, and 131.25 mills for other areas, before any applicable special/fire district charges and municipal totals. The same schedule lists municipal combined totals including Shreveport 156.50 mills, Downtown Development District 165.54 mills, Bossier City 149.68 mills, Vivian 149.71 mills, Rodessa 137.99 mills, Mooringsport 141.37 mills, Oil City 153.10 mills, Blanchard 142.08 mills, and Greenwood 141.02 mills.

Source: https://www.caddoassessor.org/Content/pdfs/millages/2025MillageRates.pdf

When Are Property Taxes Due in Caddo Parish?

Property taxes become due when the tax roll is delivered to the Caddo Parish Tax Collector and must be paid on or before December 31 each year; current-year taxes become delinquent after December 31 if not fully paid. Partial payments are accepted from the date taxes become due up to the date of the annual tax sale, but unpaid balances continue to accrue interest, penalties, and costs until paid.

This is not the same as the assessment appeal deadline above. The appeal deadline is your window to contest your assessed value; the payment due date is when the resulting tax bill must be paid. Missing one does not affect the other, but missing either has real consequences — one forfeits your right to appeal for the year, the other can trigger penalties and interest.

Source: https://www.caddosheriff.org/taxes-faq.php

Property Tax Exemptions in Caddo Parish

• Homestead Exemption — Owners who own and occupy the residence as their primary home; only the person or persons listed as owner may apply.. $7,500 of assessed value is removed before parish property tax is calculated; the assessor’s FAQ illustrates homestead by subtracting $7,500 from assessed value before applying millage. Yes; file a homestead application with the Caddo Parish Assessor. The assessor states it should be filed as soon as you become owner and can be done any time during the calendar year; it remains until ownership changes or the home is no longer the owner’s primary residence. Apply by Any time during the calendar year, per the assessor FAQ.. (Source: https://www.caddoassessor.org/Home/FAQ)
• Additional Homestead for 100% Service-Related Disabled Veterans — A homeowner who qualifies for homestead exemption and is 100% service-related disabled, with Veterans Administration documentation stating the 100% disability.. Up to an additional $75,000 homestead exemption, if the stated qualifications are met. Yes; the assessor FAQ says the applicant must obtain a Veterans Administration form stating 100% disability. (Source: https://www.caddoassessor.org/Home/FAQ)
• Special Assessment Level Freeze — Age 65 and Older — Homestead of a person age 65 or older who meets the assessor’s stated income qualification; the Caddo assessor FAQ states less than $100,000 adjusted gross income.. Freezes the assessed value at the current level; the assessor says it is lost if the property is transferred or improvements are made in excess of 25% of property value. A surviving spouse may qualify if over 55 and otherwise eligible. Yes; file the specified special-assessment form and provide prior-year income proof, such as an income tax return or Social Security Benefits Earnings Statement if not required to file a return. (Source: https://www.caddoassessor.org/Home/FAQ)
• Special Assessment Level Freeze — Disability / Disabled Veteran — Homestead of a person who meets the assessor’s stated income qualification and is either 100% disabled for Social Security disability or a 50% service-related disabled veteran.. Freezes the assessed value at the current level; the assessor says it is lost if the property is transferred or improvements are made in excess of 25% of property value. Yes; the assessor FAQ says the applicant must come into the office, file a special form, provide prior-year income proof, and provide a Social Security 100% disability statement or Veterans Administration statement showing 50% service-related disability. The assessor says this freeze must be applied for each year and is not permanent like the senior freeze. Apply by Annual application required; no specific calendar deadline confirmed on the cited source.. (Source: https://www.caddoassessor.org/Home/FAQ)
• Use-Value Assessment for Agricultural, Horticultural, Marsh, and Timber Lands — Bona fide agricultural, horticultural, marsh, and timber lands as defined by Louisiana revenue statutes.. Assessed at 10% of use value rather than market value; the assessor FAQ states these values are set by the Louisiana Tax Commission. (Source: https://www.caddoassessor.org/Home/FAQ)

How to Look Up Your Property Record in Caddo Parish

You can look up your property's official record at https://www.actdatascout.com/RealProperty/Louisiana/Caddo. The Caddo Parish Assessor’s official site says Caddo real-estate records are available online free to the public, searchable by owner name, Section-Township-Range, and subdivision, with GIS map viewing; paid professional search includes transaction histories, tax districts, and homestead information.