How Do I Find Out How Much I Owe in Louisiana State Taxes?

An outstanding tax liability with the state of Louisiana can occur for several reasons, including an underpayment of estimated taxes, a miscalculation on a previously filed return, or a failure to file a return altogether. When the Louisiana Department of Revenue (LDR) identifies a discrepancy, it will assess the tax due along with penalties and interest. Ignoring a potential tax debt will only increase the total amount due over time as interest compounds.

Information Required to Access Your Tax Account

Before you can determine the amount of state tax you owe, you must gather several pieces of personal and financial information. The LDR requires this data to verify your identity. You will need your full name as it appears on your tax returns, your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), and your current mailing address. You should also have the address that was listed on your most recently filed Louisiana tax return.

A component of the identity verification process involves information from a previously filed state tax return. The LDR will often ask for a specific financial figure from a specific year’s return to confirm you are the correct taxpayer. This could be the Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) amount from your Louisiana Individual Income Tax Return, Form IT-540, the exact refund amount you received, or the total payment you made for a given tax year.

Checking Your Balance Online

The most direct method for checking your tax balance is through the Louisiana Department of Revenue’s online portal. The state’s primary system for individual taxpayers is the Louisiana Taxpayer Access Point (LaTAP). If you have never used the system before, you will be required to create an account, which involves establishing a username and password.

During the account creation or login process, you will be prompted to complete an identity verification step using the information you previously gathered. Once your identity is confirmed and you have successfully logged in, you can navigate through your account dashboard to find a section detailing your account balance or tax liability. This area should provide a breakdown of any outstanding tax, penalties, and interest owed for specific tax periods.

Other Ways to Inquire About Your Tax Debt

For those who prefer not to use the online portal or are unable to, you can inquire about your tax debt by telephone. The LDR provides a taxpayer assistance phone number for individuals at 855-307-3893. Before calling, ensure you have all the necessary identification information ready, as the LDR agent will ask verification questions similar to the online process.

A written inquiry is another available option. You can mail a letter to the Louisiana Department of Revenue at Post Office Box 201, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0201. In your letter, you must clearly state your full name, SSN, current address, and the tax years you are inquiring about.

Reading a Notice of Tax Due

If you have received a “Notice of Tax Due” or a similar bill in the mail from the LDR, this document contains the information you are seeking. The notice will show the “Total Amount Due,” which represents your full outstanding balance as of the date the notice was issued.

Carefully examine the notice for a breakdown of the total amount. It will itemize the original tax amount that was underpaid, any late payment or late filing penalties that have been applied, and the accrued interest. Interest is calculated on the unpaid tax and penalties from the original due date of the return until the debt is paid in full.