Louisiana now boasts the highest combined local and state sales tax rate in the country (we finally beat Mississippi at being the worst!) after a special legislative session meant to stabilize the state budget.
Besides the extra penny that has been added to our 4-cent-per-dollar state sales tax, many sales tax breaks—including those for such Louisiana things as speciality Mardi Gras beads—have been eliminated.
But most notably, state hotel taxes will now apply to rentals on Airbnb and similar services. This comes before New Orleans has passed its own regulations on those rentals.
The new tax hikes, which kick in today (seriously), also include increased taxes on alcohol, cigarettes, rental cars, and more.
• Louisiana's new and higher tax rates [NOLA.com]
• Louisiana sales tax system now ranks worse than last place [The Advocate]