Negotiating Employment Offer Need Some Quick Info (Baton Rouge, Alexandria: sales, car registration)

[GoreeGal]

I am negotiating employment offer and need some quick help to insure I do not end up short each month.

What do LA prop. taxes run

State Empl. tax. How much per year

Cost to insure home about 250,000 (when I do buy in 2 months)

Flood Ins. Cost

What does it take to register a car

Any other unknown LA cost monthly that I have not mentioned.

Please assist with this info please.

[BRMan]

Originally Posted by GoreeGal

I am negotiating employment offer and need some quick help to insure I do not end up short each month.

What do LA prop. taxes run

State Empl. tax. How much per year

Cost to insure home about 250,000 (when I do buy in 2 months)

Flood Ins. Cost

What does it take to register a car

Any other unknown LA cost monthly that I have not mentioned.

Please assist with this info please.

Lots of unknowns, here, but here goes:

(1) Property taxes: To be on the safe side (the tax rate varies by parish and locality), take the sale price of the house, subtract it by 75,000, and with the net amount, multiply it by 1%. So in the 250K example, I'd assume about $1800 for taxes per year
(2) For taxes, I'd assume you're talking income taxes. A lot depends on your filing status (married, single, head of household), but we have 2%, 4%, and 6% tax brackets. Unless you're making well into the 6 figures, assume 3-4% for income taxes
(3) Home insurance varies by parish and company. And is significantly more expensive south of I-10. I wouldn't venture to guess on this one, esp if you told us you were moving to metro NO
(4) Same with flood insurance - it depends on whether you're in a flood plain
(5) Car registration is a serious gotcha if you're tagging an out of state car. The first time you register it in Louisiana, (from what I recall) they take the book value of the car, multiply it by 75%, and then charge 4%. Throw in about $50 more for registration fees and that's what you pay. Subsequent tag renewals are way cheaper - like in the $30-$40 range.
(6) Auto insurance is required to get tags/a drivers license. I'd advise shopping around. Unfortunately, Louisiana has one of the higher rates in the U S of A, so don't be too upset at the "sticker shock", although I imagine in East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, and Orleans, it'd be worse than, say, Rapides (Alexandria).

No other super surprises, although the sales tax will run you nearly 9-10% in most places. We do have a partial examption for some groceries and drugs