- Who sends it
- The tax lien certificate holder who paid your taxes at the tax lien auction
- What it starts
- At least 6 months before the holder can file suit, and never sooner than 3 years after the certificate was recorded
- Do this first
- Call the parish tax collector to confirm the termination price and how to pay it
What this document is in Louisiana
Under La. R.S. 47:2156, at least 6 months but no more than 1 year before suing, the tax lien certificate holder must send notice to each owner and others whose interest would end. The form begins "THIS IS AN IMPORTANT NOTICE" and says a tax lien certificate was issued to the holder, who paid the taxes, and that the holder intends to bring an action that may result in the seizure and sale of the property.
It must state the termination price as of a date no more than 15 days before the notice, plus the holder's notice costs, which are capped at $500.
What it does and does not mean
- It does not mean your home is sold. Under the new system, only a court case and a sheriff's sale can take it.
- A certificate holder cannot evict an owner who lives in the home or charge you rent (La. R.S. 47:2158.1).
- Interest keeps growing until you pay, so paying early costs less.
- Tax sales held before 2026 follow the old rules. See Louisiana property tax foreclosure.
The deadlines and how to count them
- The holder can file suit only after the later of 3 years from recording the certificate or 6 months after sending this notice (La. R.S. 47:2266.1(A)).
- Once suit is filed and the last party is served, anyone can still end the lien by paying the termination price to the tax collector until close of business on the 30th day after the last party was served. If that day is a legal holiday, the next day that is not a holiday counts (La. R.S. 47:2266.1(D)(1)).
- After those 30 days, the tax collector will not accept payment. You can still ask the court to set a termination price any time before the sheriff's sale, and then you must pay within 30 days of the court's order (La. R.S. 47:2266.1(D)(3)).
- Attorney fees in the suit are capped, except for good cause, at the greater of 25 percent of the amount sought or $2,500 (La. R.S. 47:2266.1(A)(6)).
What to do this week
- Call the parish tax collector, give the assessment number on the notice, and ask for the current termination price in writing.
- Pay the tax collector, not the holder, unless a court tells you otherwise. Keep your receipt.
- If you cannot pay in full, ask the tax collector what options exist, and call legal aid through the Louisiana State Bar Association Find Legal Help directory.
- Check that your homestead exemption is in place for future years.
- Read Louisiana property tax foreclosure.
The rest of the Louisiana process
See how foreclosure works in Louisiana, the timeline, ways to stop it and free help in Louisiana, or read the national guide to this letter.
Common questions
Can the Louisiana tax lien holder take my house right away?
No. The holder must wait at least 3 years after the certificate was recorded and at least 6 months after this notice, then file a court case (La. R.S. 47:2266.1). A sheriff's sale comes only after a judgment.
Who do I pay to end a Louisiana tax lien certificate?
The parish tax collector. You deliver the termination price to the tax collector (La. R.S. 47:2266.1(D)). The notice shows the price as of a recent date, but interest keeps adding up, so get a current figure first.
How much can the Louisiana tax lien holder add for sending this notice?
Reasonable costs actually incurred, shown by an affidavit to the tax collector, up to $500 (La. R.S. 47:2156(D)).
Other Louisiana letters
- Notice of seizureIn most Louisiana foreclosures, the sheriff's notice of seizure is the first official paper you get. A judge has already signed an order to seize and sell your home without a trial. The notice gives the sheriff's sale date, starts a 15-day window to appeal, and tells you about free housing counseling.
- Notice to name an appraiser before a sheriff's saleIf your home is being sold with appraisal, the sheriff must serve you a notice at least 7 days before the sale asking you to name your own appraiser. The appraisal sets the lowest price the home can sell for at the first offering, and it decides whether the lender can later sue you for a shortfall.
- Notice to vacate (to an occupant after a sheriff's sale)After a sheriff's sale, Louisiana law treats you as an occupant, not an owner. The buyer must deliver a written notice to vacate that gives you 5 days to leave. It is not a court order. If you stay, the buyer must go to court, or ask the clerk for a writ of possession.
- Rule to show cause why possession should not be delivered (eviction)If you stayed after the 5-day notice to vacate, the buyer can have you cited to a quick court hearing called a rule to show cause. The hearing can be held as soon as the third day after you are served. If the judge rules for the buyer, you have 24 hours to leave before a warrant issues.
- Citation and petition (deficiency or ordinary foreclosure suit)Most Louisiana foreclosures skip the citation step. You get one only when the lender sues in an ordinary proceeding, either to foreclose or, after a sheriff's sale, to collect a shortfall. A citation gives you 21 days after service to file an answer.