Sheriff Mike Tregre announced the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office has mailed 18,244 tax notices to St. John the Baptist Parish property owners.

A total of $52,055,809.48 in property taxes are now due. These taxes help fund all aspects of public service in the parish, such as roads, drainage, levees, law enforcement, schools and recreation.

Payments may be made in full online, in person or by mail. Full payments may be paid by credit card, debit card, check or money order.

To pay online, visit stjohnsheriff.org. Full payments may be mailed to St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office, P.O. Box 1600, LaPlace, LA 70069 or dropped off at the St. John the Baptist Sheriff’s Office, 1801 W. Airline Hwy. in LaPlace.

Property taxes are due Dec. 31, 2017. Unpaid taxes become delinquent on Jan. 1, 2018.

According to state law, delinquent taxes accrue interest at a rate of 1 percent per month until paid. Unpaid property taxes will also accrue additional costs associated with the tax sale.

If property is sold at the tax sale, the property owner is subject to loss of the homestead exemption. Property sold at the tax sale may be redeemed up to three years from the date the property is sold, but per state law, a five percent penalty will apply as well as a monthly interest rate of one percent.

The owner must contact the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office to redeem the property.

The current property owner is responsible for all taxes due. Anyone who purchased property in 2017 may not receive a tax bill due to it being sent to the previous owner.

Homeowners should check with their mortgage company before paying a bill to avoid double payment. People with questions about new property purchased may call the St. John the Baptist Parish Assessor’s Office at 985-652-5311.

For more information about tax payments, property owners may contact the SJSO at 985-652-9513 or visit stjohnsheriff.org.