New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell today announced a program to let people pay what old fines they owe the city without late fees.
She is calling it an "Amnesty Late Fee Forgiveness Program."
Cantrell says it allows "residents to take advantage of incentives to clear past-due accounts with parking and camera tickets, sales and hotel/motel taxes, code enforcement violations, and library fees."
It runs from June third to September third.
"It's all about our residents being able to pay fines and fees or penalties that will be forgiven over the next three months," Cantrell said.
Chief Financial Officer Norman White added, “We are very excited to work together with several departments to facilitate a program that gives our city and residents a fresh start."
Click here for more details... or you can call (504) 658-2019 or dial 3-1-1 to learn more.
A news release offers the following details: PARKING AND CAMERA TICKETS
The City of New Orleans is offering a limited opportunity to pay delinquent parking and/or photo safety citations without late penalties. This means anyone who owes money for parking tickets more than 30 days old, or photo safety citations more than 60 days past due will be able to pay them, minus any late fees. This opportunity to get amnesty will last from June 3-Sept. 3, 2019. This offer does not apply to any late penalties paid before or after the program’s time frame. All previously paid late fees are non-refundable and full penalties and interest will be assessed after midnight on Sept. 3.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
1. Pay by phone
For parking tickets call (504) 525-0088
For camera tickets call (504) 658-8082
Pay online between June 3-Sept. 3
2. Pay by phone
Pay Parking tickets
Pay Camera tickets
3. Pay in person at the following locations:
City Hall: 1300 Perdido St. (Adjudication Bureau)
City Auto Pound: 400 N. Claiborne Ave.
For more, visit: https://nola.gov/amnesty-late-fee-forgiveness-program/#tickets
SALES & HOTEL/MOTEL TAXES
The City of New Orleans is giving business owners and operators the chance to support the Cantrell Administration’s initiatives to help you pay your "Fair Share."
This is your opportunity to settle your delinquent tax accounts, by only paying the base tax amount due and a portion of the interest. You may obtain amnesty on outstanding sales, use, hotel/motel, parking, alcoholic beverage gallonage, occupational license taxes and various permits without penalty, negligence and only 50 percent interest. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE PROPERTY TAXES OF ANY KIND.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
In person:
Taxpayers must make an appointment with the Bureau of Revenue Provide gross sales information for months under consideration Taxpayers must be ready to pay all delinquencies qualified under the Amnesty period
ONLINE NEW FILERS WITH EXISTING REVENUE ACCOUNTS:
If you are new to the City of New Orleans EGov site, please setup your profile, add your account number and the City will approve the request within 24 hours. You will receive an email confirmation once you are approved to file your return. Additionally, as an existing business, you should have received an Amnesty letter detailing your liability. The letter contains a coupon code which is a requirement to file online and receive the discounted tax calculation. Please make sure to have the letter and coupon code ready when you go online to pay.
NEW FILERS WITH NO EXISTING ACCOUNT:
If you do not have a City of New Orleans Revenue account number, you will need to make an appointment with the Bureau of Revenue to get registered.
PAYMENT METHODS
The City of New Orleans will only accept certified funds for payment, this includes cashier’s checks and money orders. The City will make available a spreadsheet to help you calculate your liability to obtain the amount to submit in certified funds.
For more, visit: https://nola.gov/amnesty-late-fee-forgiveness-program/#taxes
Or call (504) 658-1TAX (1829) or (504) 658-1637, or email salestax@nola.gov.
CODE ENFORCEMENT VIOLATIONS
The Amnesty Late Fee Forgiveness Program for Code Enforcement is a limited opportunity for owners of properties previously found in violation of the Code of the City of New Orleans Chapter 26 Minimum Property Maintenance standards to satisfy liens at a reduced cost.
During Code Enforcement Amnesty, upon successful correction of all violations, reductions of $100.00 per violation (plus administrative cost) will be applied to fines with proof of abatement of all violations. Actual costs such as demolition cost, grass cutting fees or administrative costs cannot be waived.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Submit this form, with the following attached documents:
Proof of ownership Copy of all recorded liens to be considered Current photographs showing each corrected violation
For more info, visit this link: https://nola.gov/amnesty-late-fee-forgiveness-program/#code
Or call (504) 658-4346, and a Code Enforcement representative will assist you.
LIBRARY FINES
The New Orleans Public Library is offering a one-time fine and fee waiver for any outstanding fine and fees up to $100. Cardholders with outstanding fines and/or fees can come into any library branch between June 3-Sept. 3 and receive the one-time waiver.
New Orleans Public Library recognizes that fines and fees can be a barrier to members of the community seeking essential library services. The Public Library serves all members of the New Orleans community and hopes that this program will welcome community members back to the library.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Bring a picture ID or Library Card to any New Orleans Public Library Branch between June 3-September 3. Ask about the Amnesty Late Fee Forgiveness Program at any library service desk. Cardholders can bring any outstanding library materials to return fine free. Each cardholder only gets one waiver during the program.
For more info, visit this link: https://nola.gov/amnesty-late-fee-forgiveness-program/#library