NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans City Council is giving a break to bed-and-breakfast owners who are late paying the room tax rate of 50 cents per day for each occupied room.

The Times-Picayune (http://bit.ly/YKoNJB ) reports that the penalty has often been much more than the amount due.

The late penalty was at least $500. Council President Stacey Head told the council that the tax for a typical B&B averages less than $60 a month.

The council voted 7-0 to eliminate the $500 minimum for establishments with up to nine guest rooms — the legal limit for B&Bs.

The alternative penalty is 20 percent of the amount due, plus interest.

The $500 minimum will remain in effect for hotels or motels with 10 or more rooms.