Louisiana has a 4.45% state sales tax as of 1 July 2018. The state sales tax is not charged on unprepared food. There are also taxes on the parish (county) level and some on the city levels, Baton Rouge has a 5% sales tax. Parishes may add local taxes up to 5%, while local jurisdictions within parishes may add more. In Allen Parish, the combined sales tax is up to 9.45% (0.7% for Parish Council, 3% for School Board, 1% to 1.3% for City/Town). New Orleans (coterminous with Orleans Parish) collects the maximum 5% tax rate for a total of 9.45% on general purpose items. For food and drugs the tax rate is 4.5%, for a total of 8.95%. Louisiana bids out sales tax audits to private companies, with many being paid on a percentage collected basis.
