For the 50-Plus generations, I assist my clients in finding the solutions to issues that face them as they grow in to their retirement years in order to make it "The Best of their Life". I truly believe that after many years of working and tending family needs, it's time to enjoy life. Whether you are interested in a vacation home, down-sizing, or moving to a senior community, I am anxious to assist you in making that move.
As a state, Louisiana has much to offer retirees looking to relocate - a welcoming and lively culture, extraordinary natural beauty, a mild and warm climate, and a relatively low cost of living. Add to that the 13 world-class golf courses of the Audubon Golf Trail, great fishing and hunting, beautiful state parks and historical parks, fantastic food, plenty of local entertainment, and you have a great place to LIVE!
The mild climate is ideal for those who enjoy outdoor activities - with plenty of places for hunting, fishing, boating, swimming, birding, hiking, picknicking or just relaxing. We also have a wide assortment of shopping opportunities, cultural activities, and fine dining. Modern health care facilities and educational institutions are also close by.
Hospitality is a way of life in Louisiana, and many people who retire here build a network of friends and social activities much more quickly than they believed possible. Our low cost of living makes us an affordable choice - property taxes are low and income tax is modest - plus there are tax exemptions for certain types of pensions.
Northern Louisiana has been nicknamed "Sportsman's Paradise", but is much more varied than the name indicates. Monroe is home to the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM), Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo, Northeast Louisiana African American Heritage Museum, Biedenharn Gardens, Masur Museum of Art, and so much more. Located nearby are Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Lake D'Arbonne (Lake and State Park), Caney Lake, Jimmie Davis State Park, and small towns with big charm such as Winnsboro, Columbia, Bastrop, Homer, Chatham and Jonesboro. Pine forests, mossy bayous, rolling hills, beautiful lakes - it's all here in Northeast Louisiana!
LOW TAX BURDEN
Louisiana has the lowest property taxes in the nation due in part to the state's homestead exemption of $75,000. It works like this: A Louisiana resident with a home valued at $200,000 gets a $75,000 exeption (not subject to state or parish taxes). The remaining $125,000 is subject to taxation but is taxed at only 10% of the assessed value. And, once you reach age 65 and your adjusted gross income is less than $64,410 (in 2010), you are eligible to freeze the assessed value of your home, meaning if the value of your home increases, your home's assessed value remains the same.
Of states with an income tax, Louisiana has the seventh lowest top tax rate at 6 percent. And, as a Louisiana resident you also have generous standard deduction and personal exemption to help reduce income taxes. You may also deduct federal income taxes from state income taxes.
Louisiana residents have no inheritance, estate or gift taxes, regardless of the value of your estate. Louisiana does not impose a gift tax on donations you make during your lifetime. Social Security retirement benefits or military retirement are exempt from state tax, as well as pension payments to federal, state and local government retirees. If you retired from an out-of-state employer, this exemption also applies to out-of-state pensions. For retirees age 65 or above receiving retirement income from the private sector, you have an exemption for the first $6,000 ($12,000 if married) of income from IRA's, 401(k) or pension plans.
This information is provided as a guide only, and you should consult your accountant or tax attorney for up-to-date information.
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