Restoration Tax Abatement (RTA) Program

Summary

The Restoration Tax Abatement (RTA) Program provides to commercial property owners and homeowners who expand, restore, improve, or develop an existing structure in a downtown development district, economic development district, or historic district the right to pay ad valorem taxes based on the assessed valuation of the property for the year prior to the commencement of the project for five years after completion of the work (RS §47:4311).

Local Submission Requirements

• Affidavit
• Description of Restoration
• Investment Total
• Before & After Appraisals
• Pro Forma (income producing projects)
• Additional Tax Breaks
• Project Owners: A complete list of all principals in the project.
• Cost/Benefit Analysis (sales tax revenue generated projects)
• Eligibility Certification Form
• Jobs Created
• Tax Status
• Sales Tax Revenue
• Building Permit Job Value Verification (projects exempted: owner-occupied residential projects with 6 or fewer units and projects valued less than $15,000(
• Proof of DBE Participation
• Hire NOLA/Living Wage Requirements (projects valued $150,000+)
• Photos

1. The most updated local resolution for the program is located here.
2. Click here for access to all RTA exhibits required for local review. 
3. Click here for a map of City of New Orleans Restoration Tax Abatement Qualifying Districts.

Apply

Log in to FastLane on the Louisiana Economic Development website, and fill out an Advance Notification form and Application. Both forms should be filed prior to construction commencement. Failure to do so may result in ineligibility of this tax exemption. More information about local program criteria may be found here.

NOTE: A tax abatement is not available if property taxes have been paid on the improvements made by the project.  In order to maintain compliance, the City of New Orleans advises those pursuant of this incentive to “pay under protest” the portion of the taxes subject to abatement (the improvements) upon approval of the RTA to avoid any penalties, interest and/or tax sale (R.S. 47:1998) and the amount not being abated to be paid against the account.  Paying under protest shows a good faith effort by the applicant and keeps the tax account current.  If approved, the RTA is applied to the tax rolls and a refund is granted to the applicant for the subject years based on reassessments. 

RTA FAQs

A list of frequently asked questions for the program can be found here.

RTA Meeting Schedule

The RTA meeting schedule for 2024 schedule can be found here.

Please see the virtual meeting format and the RTA public meeting procedures.

Contact program manager,Tracey Jackson, at (504) 658-4955 with questions.