NEW ORLEANS —In less than two months into Mayor Helena Moreno’s term, the city has 145 sales tax audits completed or underway, which is close to the total amount done in 12 months in 2025. This has already resulted in finding roughly $7 million dollars that has gone uncollected, and legal action is now forthcoming.
For comparison, in 2024, only 26 sales tax audits were conducted. In 2025, only 173 sales tax audits were conducted.
The mayor recognizes the efforts of the Revenue and Finance Departments for their urgent work on this matter and for taking on her directive for increased focus on sales tax audits and collections.
“I am proud of the hard-working employees in our Revenue and Finance Departments, who are working non-stop to resolve our budgetary issues. We have to take a hard look at every dollar owed to the city,” said New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno. “We are now aligning with how other parishes operate with accountability and enforcement. Overwhelmingly, our business owners are doing the right thing, but the lack of real review and enforcement of sales tax has led some to continue persistent bad behavior. The people of New Orleans who demand enhanced city services cannot afford to have the city turn its back on uncollected sales tax dollars anymore.”