The Tax Clearance Authorization form is the City of New Orleans document that supplies the tax clearance the City needs before it can enter into or make payments under a contract, grant or cooperative endeavor agreement. The City approves it only when the business meets its tax requirements, including New Orleans property tax (real estate and personal property) and sales tax or occupational license registration. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF; you then sign it and give it to the City department you are contracting with.
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What is Tax Clearance Authorization form – New Orleans, LA?
The Tax Clearance Authorization is a City of New Orleans form that authorizes the City to inspect or receive a business's confidential tax information and, once the business meets the City's tax requirements, supplies the tax clearance needed to contract with the City.
The form cites Section 2-8 of the Code of the City of New Orleans, under which the City cannot enter into or make payments under a contract, grant or cooperative endeavor agreement with any person, corporation or entity that is delinquent in City taxes. The clearance is issued without prejudice to any tax liabilities discovered by audit.
The form collects the business name, owner's name, type of business, business and mailing addresses, contact details, and the business's Real Estate Tax Number, Personal Property Tax Number and Sales Tax/Occupational License Number. The signer certifies having authority to execute the form for the tax matters covered and that the information is true and correct.
The instructions printed on the back state that the authorization is not honored for any purpose other than contracting with the City of New Orleans. The City's Real Estate & Records Division also lists a current Tax Clearance Authorization form in the name of the property owner among the supporting documents it asks applicants to provide.
Who needs to file Tax Clearance Authorization form – New Orleans, LA?
Any person, corporation or other entity that wants to enter into a contract, grant or cooperative endeavor agreement with the City of New Orleans, or receive payments under one, needs this form. The City cannot contract with, or pay, an entity that is delinquent in City taxes.
The instructions describe how different businesses meet the requirements:
- Businesses must be current in Real Estate Tax and Personal Property Tax.
- Businesses located within Orleans Parish must hold an annual Occupational License, which comes with a City of New Orleans Sales Tax number.
- Businesses domiciled outside Orleans Parish must complete a registration to obtain a Certificate of Registration and a City Sales Tax number.
- Businesses that are not registered must complete a New Business Application.
- Non-profit organizations must also complete a New Business Application; once exempt status is confirmed, they are exempt from Occupational License fees and should be ready to show 501(c) documentation and/or Louisiana Secretary of State status.
The person who signs must certify having authority to execute the form for the tax matters covered. Do not use the form for any purpose other than contracting with the City of New Orleans.
When to file Tax Clearance Authorization form – New Orleans, LA
Submit the form when you are contracting with the City of New Orleans, since it is handed to the department you are contracting with and supports the execution of that contract. It has no separate due date printed on it.
The instructions recommend that all outstanding taxes and business registrations be completed before the form is processed, to expedite contract execution. The form is not processed unless it is signed and dated, and leaving requested information blank will delay processing. The printed version of the form is dated May 2024.
How to fill out Tax Clearance Authorization form – New Orleans, LA
Enter business name and owner
Write the BUSINESS NAME and the OWNER'S NAME in the top block of the form.
Describe the type of business
In TYPE OF BUSINESS, state what kind of business the contracting entity operates.
Enter business and mailing addresses
Fill in BUSINESS ADDRESS and MAILING ADDRESS. Give both even if they are the same.
Add contact information
Enter the CONTACT TELEPHONE, FAX NUMBER and E-MAIL ADDRESS. The instructions ask you to provide all the information requested.
Enter your City tax numbers
Enter the REAL ESTATE TAX NUMBER, PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX NUMBER and SALES TAX/OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE NUMBER. If you lack a number because the business is not registered, complete the registration or New Business Application first.
Print the signer's name and title
Under the signature line, write the PRINT NAME and TITLE of the person authorized to execute the form for the tax matters covered.
Sign and date the authorization
Sign at AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE and enter the DATE SIGNED. By signing, you certify your authority and that the information is true and correct, and you authorize the City to inspect or receive confidential tax information.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that no field is blank and that the signature and date are present. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and give it to the City department you are contracting with, as described under How to submit.
How to submit Tax Clearance Authorization form – New Orleans, LA
There is one submission route: sign and date the completed form and submit it to the City department with which you are contracting. The form prints no separate mailing address or portal for itself.
- Department with which you are contracting: give the signed and dated form to that department. An unsigned or undated form is not processed.
- Paying outstanding real estate or personal property taxes: use the Bureau of Treasury webpage at www.nola.gov, or mail payment to City of New Orleans, Bureau of the Treasury, 1300 Perdido St., Room 1W38, New Orleans, La. 70112.
- Business registration and applications: the applications are on the One Stop Shop webpage at www.nola.gov. Questions go to the One Stop Shop at (504)658-7100.
FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving requested information blank; the instructions say failure to fill in all information will delay processing.
- Submitting the form without signing and dating it; an unsigned or undated form will not be processed.
- Using the authorization for anything other than contracting with the City of New Orleans; it will not be honored for other purposes.
- Submitting while Real Estate Tax or Personal Property Tax is outstanding; businesses must be current in both to be approved.
- Skipping the Occupational License, Certificate of Registration or New Business Application when the business is not yet registered with the City.
- Treating a non-profit as automatically exempt; it must still complete a New Business Application and be ready to show 501(c) documentation and/or Louisiana Secretary of State status.
- Having someone sign who lacks authority; the signer certifies authority to execute the form for the tax matters covered.
Frequently asked questions
What is the City of New Orleans Tax Clearance Authorization?
It is a City of New Orleans form that authorizes the City to inspect or receive your confidential tax information and supplies the tax clearance the City needs before it can contract with you or pay under a contract, grant or cooperative endeavor agreement.
Who needs a Tax Clearance Authorization in New Orleans?
Any person, corporation or entity that wants to contract with the City of New Orleans needs one, because under Section 2-8 of the City Code the City cannot contract with or pay an entity delinquent in City taxes.
Do I have to be current on New Orleans property tax?
Yes. The instructions require businesses to be current in payment of all Real Estate Tax and Personal Property Tax for the form to be approved. They can pay on the Bureau of Treasury webpage at www.nola.gov or by mail to the Bureau of the Treasury.
Where do I submit the Tax Clearance Authorization form?
Sign and date it and submit it to the City department you are contracting with. The form prints no separate address or portal of its own. If it is not signed and dated, it will not be processed.
Can I use the Tax Clearance Authorization for something other than a City contract?
No. The instructions state the authorization will not be honored for any purpose other than contracting with the City of New Orleans.
Do non-profit organizations need to register to get tax clearance?
Yes. Non-profits must comply with the Occupational License requirements by completing a New Business Application. Once exempt status is confirmed, they are exempt from Occupational License fees and should be prepared to provide 501(c) documentation and/or Louisiana Secretary of State status.
What if my business is located outside Orleans Parish?
A business domiciled outside Orleans Parish must complete a registration to obtain a Certificate of Registration and a City of New Orleans Sales Tax number. Applications are on the One Stop Shop webpage at www.nola.gov; questions go to (504)658-7100.
Can I fill out the Tax Clearance Authorization online on FillingPDF?
Yes. You can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not submit it to the City; you give the signed form to the department you are contracting with.
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