NEW ORLEANS – On Tuesday, December 15, 2015, the City of New Orleans Bureau of Revenue will hold a public meeting for French Quarter businesses on the sales tax increase approved by French Quarter residents in October. The meeting will take place at New Orleans City Hall, City Council Chambers, 1300 Perdido St., from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Beginning January 1, 2016, businesses within the French Quarter Economic Development District will charge an additional 0.2495 percent sales tax on any tangible items or taxable services sold or delivered to the French Quarter. The tax increase equates an additional quarter for every $100 spent.
The French Quarter Economic Development District includes all businesses within the following boundaries: the Mississippi River, the center line of Canal Street; the rear property line of properties fronting on the lake side of North Rampart Street and both sides of Esplanade Avenue.
In October, French Quarter residents approved the Economic Development District to enhance public safety for the area. The sales tax is expected to generate approximately $2 million annually and would help fund Louisiana State Police troopers and other public safety measures throughout the French Quarter. There would be a five-year sunset provision on the tax, with the option for renewal pending voter approval at expiration.
Business owners will have to make the appropriate rate changes to their cashier system from 5 percent to 5.2495 percent and 4.5 percent to 4.7495 percent for prescribed medications and food for further consumption or Column B on the sales tax form prior to Jan. 1, 2016.
Also starting in January 2016, the City of New Orleans Tax Form 8071 will now have a new Special Sales/ Use Tax French Quarter Economic Development District Section F for businesses located and making deliveries to the French Quarter Economic Development District.
At the public meeting, Bureau of Revenue officials will explain the new collections forms and how to enter sales tax information online.
Business owners are encouraged to attend this public meeting and may direct questions regarding the sales tax increase to the City’s Bureau of Revenue.
