The annual registers list real estate property tax bills in numerical order by tax bill number. Each bill shows the name of the property owner and lists all of his holdings within the municipality along with the amount of tax due on each. In the case of multiple holdings, each parcel is listed separately under the property owner's name. For each parcel the square number is noted, along with the faubourg in which the parcel was located; this is the only reference to the geographical location of the taxed property. Beginning in 1849 there are separate volumes for each of the three representative districts comprising the Third Municipality (these districts, 7,8, & 9, correspond to the modern-day ward designations within the Third Municipal District). In addition to the land holdings of each property owner, the record also lists the number of enslaved individuals that each held within the municipality.

In addition to information on the location of taxable property and the amount due from each property owner, the register also includes either a note that the tax was paid (sometimes with a date, and sometimes with the name of the officer making the tax collection, usually the municipality attorney) or some reference to the fact that the tax was uncollectible. There are occasional tax notices and other loose inserts filed in the volumes.

There is an index volume, indicated in earlier processing as corresponding to the 1839 register, which is unidentified at this time.