Louisiana Income Tax Calculator

Taxes in Louisiana

Louisiana State Tax Quick Facts

• Income tax: 1.85% - 4.25%
• Sales tax: 0% - 8.5%
• Property tax: 0.55% average effective rate
• Gas tax: 20 cents per gallon of regular gasoline and diesel

Taxes in the Bayou State range from very low to very high, depending on the type of tax and your location. The state income tax, which ranges from 1.85% to 4.25%, is only slightly higher than average among the 50 states. Meanwhile, state and local sales taxes average about 9.55%, which is just short of the highest mark in the U.S. In some areas, sales taxes are over 11%, while other areas pay rates less than half that amount. Property taxes statewide have an average effective rate of just 0.55%.

A financial advisor can help you understand how these taxes fit into your overall financial goals. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

Louisiana Income Taxes

Like the federal income tax, the Louisiana state income tax is based on income brackets, with marginal rates increasing as incomes increase. In total, there are three income brackets.

Louisiana’s top rate ranks in the top 20 highest in the U.S. These rates apply to Louisiana taxable income; this is calculated based on federal adjusted gross income (AGI), with some additions for sources of income that are taxable in Louisiana, and some subtractions for Louisiana deductions, exemptions and nontaxable income sources.

The main income source that must be added back to federal AGI to calculate Louisiana income tax is interest and dividend income. There are several income sources that can be subtracted, including Louisiana state employees’ or teachers’ retirement benefits, federal retirement benefits, social security income and up to $6,000 in retirement income from other sources for taxpayers aged 65 or over.

Louisiana has a personal exemption of $4,500 ($9,000 for heads of household and joint filers), with additional personal exemptions of $1,000 for dependents. Louisiana also allows taxpayers to deduct the amount of their federal itemized deductions that were in excess of the federal standard deduction on their federal tax return, and to deduct school expenses for dependents who are currently in school.

Louisiana Sales Tax

Louisiana’s state sales tax rate is 4.45%. Alone, that is one of the lowest rates in the nation. Unfortunately for Louisiana consumers and visitors, that base rate is augmented by significant parish (what Louisiana calls its counties) and city sales tax rates. The table below shows the state and parish sales tax rates for every parish in Louisiana and the total state and local sales tax rates for the state’s largest cities.

Those rates apply to the prices of all “tangible personal property” purchased in the state. That includes clothing, furniture, sporting goods and electronics. Select services are also taxable, such as admissions to athletic or amusement events, hotel rooms, parking services, laundry, repair services and telecommunications services.

On the other hand, a number of commonly purchased products are exempt from sales tax. Food for home consumption, prescription drugs, orthotic or prosthetic devices, wheelchairs and manufacturing machinery are all exempt—but only from the statewide rate. Local taxes may still be required, depending on the local rules.

As of July 2018, there is also a 2% sales tax on the use, distribution and storage of electric power, natural gas, steam, water and other energy sources. These were previously exempt from sales tax.

When making changes to the sales tax rates in 2018, Louisiana did away with its sales tax holidays for the next seven years.

Louisiana Property Tax

Property taxes in Louisiana are fairly low. In fact, the average homeowner there pays just $1,065 annually in property taxes, equal to an effective rate (annual taxes paid as a percentage of home value) of 0.55%. In several parishes, including Allen, Avoyelles and Madison, average property taxes are around $200 per year.

If you’re looking to refinance your home or make a move to the Pelican State, this mortgage guide is a good place to start to get the basics about getting a mortgage in Louisiana.

Louisiana Estate Tax

There is no estate tax in Louisiana.

Louisiana Capital Gains Tax

Both long- and short-term capital gains are taxed as regular income in Louisiana, meaning they're subject to the rates listed above. Remember, they are between 2% and 6%, depending on your taxable income. One exception to that is gains resulting from the sale of a non-publicly traded business or interest in such a business, including corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies.

Louisiana Cigarette Tax

Louisiana’s state cigarette tax of $1.08 per pack of 20 cigarettes.

Louisiana Alcohol Tax

In addition to sales taxes, alcohol in Louisiana faces additional excise taxes. These add up to $0.32 per gallon of beer, $0.11 per gallon of wine and $2.50 per gallon of distilled spirits.

• The Mississippi River discharges at an average rate of between 200,000 and 700,000 cubic feet per second, over ten times the discharge of the Hudson River.
• French is the second most widely spoken language in Louisiana.
• The city of New Orleans is named after the Duke of Orleans, a regent under France’s King Louis XV.