Credits & Exemptions

Iowa Ag Land Credit

Description: This credit was established to partially offset the school tax burden borne by agricultural real estate. Current law allows a credit for any general school fund tax in excess of $5.40 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Eligibility: All land used for agricultural or horticultural purposes in tracts of 10 acres or more and land of less than 10 acres if contiguous to qualifying land of 10 acres or more.

Filing Requirements: Land owners are not required to file a claim. The County Auditor determines the amount of credit applicable to each tract of land.

Refer to Code of Iowa Chapter 426 (PDF) for additional information.

Iowa Barn and One-Room School House Property Exemption

Description: Exempts from taxation the increase in assessed value from improvements made to barns constructed prior to 1937 and one-room school houses.

Filing Requirements: Application must be filed with assessing authority by February 1 of the first year the exemption is requested.

Eligibility: The exemption for a barn continues as long as the structure is used for the storage of farm products or feed or for the housing of farm animals or farm equipment.

The exemption for the school house continues as long as the structure is not used for dwelling purposes and is preserved as a one-room school house.

Refer to Iowa Code Chapter 427.1(31) (PDF) for additional information.

Iowa Data Center Business Property Exemption

Description: Exemption for certain property other than land and buildings that is purchased by a data center business. This includes computers and equipment that are necessary for the maintenance and operation of a data center business.

Eligibility: The data center business must meet the requirements contained in Iowa Code section 423.3 subsection 95.

Filing Requirements: The owner must file an application with the County Assessor by February 1 of the first year the exemption is claimed.

Refer to Iowa Code Chapter 427.1(37) (PDF) for additional information.

Iowa Disabled Veteran Homestead Credit

Description: Originally adopted to encourage home ownership for disabled veterans. The current credit is equal to 100 percent of the actual tax levy.

Eligibility: Veterans with 100 percent service-related disability status qualify for this credit. Veterans also qualify who have a permanent and total disability rating based on individual unemployment paid at the 100 percent disability rate. The veteran must own and occupy the property as a homestead on July 1 of each year, declare residency in Iowa for income tax purposes and occupy the property for at least six months each year. Persons in the military or nursing homes who do not occupy the home are also eligible. A surviving spouse of a disabled veteran receiving DIC payments also qualifies. The surviving spouse as a beneficiary of the estate of a veteran who received the credit may continue to receive the credit as long as the spouse resides in the qualified homestead and does not remarry.

Filing Requirements: Claim must be filed on or before July 1. A current Benefits Paid letter and a DD214 must be included with your application.

Iowa Elderly and Disabled Citizen's Rent Reimbursement

Description: Incorporated into the Homestead Tax Law to provide rent relief. Property that is tax exempt does not qualify for rent reimbursement.

Eligibility: Must be 65 or older or totally disabled, and meet annual household low income requirements. 

Filing Requirements: Renters must file with the Department of Revenue by June 1 to claim reimbursement for rent paid in the prior calendar year. The director or County Treasurer may grant extensions of time to file.

Contact the Linn County Treasurer at 319-892-5500 with questions or to request a paper application.

Iowa Family Farm Credit

Description: Credit established to partially offset the school tax burden borne by agricultural real estate. Current law allows a credit for any general school fund tax in excess of $5.40 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Eligibility: All land used for agricultural or horticultural purposes in tracts of 10 acres or more and land of less than 10 acres if contiguous to qualifying land of more than 10 acres. The owner or designated person must be actively engaged in farming the land.

Filing Requirements: Claims must be filed with the assessor by November 1. Subsequent claims are not required if ownership and designated person actively engaged in farming remain the same.

Refer to Code of Iowa Chapter 425A.4 (PDF) for additional information.

Iowa Forest and Fruit Tree Reservations Exemption

Description: Provides an exemption for property established as a forest or fruit tree reservation.

Eligibility: Forest Reserve: Minimum of two acres, with not less than 200 trees per acre. Fruit Tree Reserve: Not less than one nor more than 10 acres, with at least 40 apple trees or 70 other fruit trees.

Exemption: 8 years for fruit tree reservations. Neither reserve can be used for economic gain other than raising trees, nor is livestock permitted on the reservation. Must meet the criteria established by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

 Filing Requirements: Application must be filed with the County Assessor by February 1.

Refer to Code of Iowa Chapter 427C.3 (PDF) for additional information.

Iowa Geothermal Heating and Cooling System Exemption

Description: Exemption for value added by any new or refitted construction or installation of a geothermal heating or cooling system on or after July 1, 2012, on property classified as residential. This is a 10 year exemption.

Eligibility: Must meet the requirements contained in Iowa Code section 427.1(38) and the administrative rules in 701 IAC section 80.29.

Filing Requirements: Person claiming the exemption shall file an application with the County Assessor by February 1 of the first assessment year the exemption is requested.

Refer to Code of Iowa Chapter 427.1 (38) (PDF) for additional information.

Iowa Historic Property Rehabilitation

Description: Property approved by the County Assessor is eligible for a property tax exemption for up to four years if it meets the definition of "historic property".

Eligibility: The property must meet the requirements found in Iowa Code section 427.16(6).

Filing Requirements: Application must be filed with assessor by February 1.

Refer to Code of Iowa Chapter 427.16 (PDF) for additional information.

Iowa Homestead Credit

Description: Originally adopted to encourage home ownership through property tax relief. The current credit is equal to the actual tax levy on the first $4,850 of actual value.

Eligibility: Must own and occupy the property as a homestead on July 1 of each year, declare residency in Iowa for income tax purposes and occupy the property for at least six months each year. Persons in the military or nursing homes who do not occupy the home are also eligible.

Filing Requirements: Claim must be filed on or before July 1. Claim is allowed for successive years without further filing as long as eligible.

Refer to Code of Iowa Chapter 425.2 (PDF) for additional information.

Pre-populated Homestead Tax Credit Application Forms are available to be printed on our website. If you are a homeowner who occupies your permanent residence in Linn County, outside the city limits of Cedar Rapids, and you do not currently have a Homestead credit on your property you can print the application from within your parcel listing. 

Find your parcel listing under "Real Estate Search" by entering your property address. When you are in the parcel that your home is on, next to "Homestead" click the "here" link. This brings up the Homestead form that needs to be printed, filled out, signed and returned to our office. 

Applying in person at our office is always acceptable. For questions contact the Linn County Assessor at 319-892-5220 or via email.

Iowa Impoundment Structures Exemption

Description: Provides an exemption for impoundment structures and land underlying an impoundment located outside any incorporated city.

Eligibility: Not developed or used for non-agricultural income-producing purposes. Must be approved by Soil and Water Conservation District commissioners and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Filing Requirements: Application must be filed with the County Assessor each year no later than February 1.

Refer to Code of Iowa Chapter 427.1(20) (PDF) for additional information.

Iowa Industrial Property, Research-Service Facilities, Warehouses, Distribution Centers and Cattle Facilities Exemption

Description: Value-added exemption to encourage industrial and commercial development. Subject to approval by city councils and County Board of Supervisors.

Eligibility: Partial exemption for five years. The percent varies each year. Cattle facilities must be owner-operated.  

Filing Requirements: Application must be filed with County Assessor by February 1 of the year the value is added.

Refer to Code of Iowa Chapter 427B.4 (PDF) for additional information.

Iowa Low-Rent Housing Exemption

Description: Provides an exemption for low-rent housing until the original housing development mortgage is paid in full or expires.

Eligibility: Property owned and operated or controlled by a nonprofit organization providing low-rent housing for persons at least 62 years old or persons with physical or mental disabilities.

Filing Requirements: Must file an application with the County Assessor no later than February 1. The claim is allowed on the property for successive years without further filing as long as the property is used for purposes specified in the original claim.

Refer to Code of Iowa Chapter 427.1 (21) for additional information.

Iowa Methane Gas Conversion Property Exemption

Description: Promotes environmental purposes.

Eligibility: Property must be used in connection or conjunction with a publicly-owned sanitary landfill, or is property originally placed in service on or after January 1, 2008, or before December 31, 2012.

Filing Requirements: Application must be filed annually with the County Assessor by February 1.

Refer to Code of Iowa Chapter 427.1 (29) (PDF) for additional information.

Iowa Military Exemption

Description: Reduces the taxable value of property for military veterans.

Eligibility: The amount of exemption varies. Must own the property on July 1 of each claim year.

Filing Requirements: A qualified veteran must file a claim with the local assessor by July 1. Subsequent claims need not be filed on the same property.

Refer to Code of Iowa Chapter 426A.13 (PDF) for additional information.

Iowa Native Prairie/Wetlands Exemption

Description: Exemption for land preserved in its natural condition.

Eligibility: Cannot be used for economic gain. Must be certified by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Filing Requirements: Application must be filed annually with County Assessor by February 1.

Refer to Code of Iowa Chapter 427.1 (23) (PDF) for additional information.

Iowa Natural Conservation and Wildlife Areas Exemption

Description: Provides an exemption for recreational lakes, forest covers, rivers and streams, including banks and open prairies as designated by the County Board of Supervisors.

Eligibility: Property cannot be used for economic gain. Property must be at least two acres and provide erosion control or wildlife habitat.

Filing Requirements: Application must be filed with the commissioners of the Soil and Water Conservation District by February 1 of the assessment year.

Refer to Code of Iowa Chapter 427.1 (22) (PDF) for additional information.

Iowa Pollution Control and Recycling Exemption

Description: Provides an exemption for certain pollution control and recycling property.

Eligibility: Exemption is limited to market value of property used primarily for pollution control or recycling. Must be certified as eligible by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Filing Requirements: Application must be filed with the assessor no later than February 1.

Refer to Code of Iowa Chapter 427.1 (19) (PDF) for additional information.

Iowa Religious, Educational and Charitable Property Exemption

Description: Exemption for property used for religious, education or charitable purposes.

Eligibility: Cannot be used for profit. Limited to 320 acres.

Filing Requirements: Application must be filed with the County Assessor by February 1. No further application is needed if use remains unchanged.

Refer to Code of Iowa Chapter 427.1 (14) (PDF) for additional information.

Iowa Speculative Shell Buildings Exemption

Description: Value added exemption to encourage local business development. Subject to approval by city council or County Board of Supervisors.

Eligibility: Available to community development organizations, not-for-profit cooperative associations and for-profit entities. Terminates when building is leased or sold.

Filing Requirements: Application must be filed with the County Assessor by February 1 for each project.

Refer to Code of Iowa Chapter 427.1 (27) (PDF) for additional information.

Iowa Urban Revitalization Exemption

Description: Value-added exemption to encourage development in urban areas. Subject to approval of city council or County Board of Supervisors.

Eligibility: Must have increased the value of the property to which added by at least 15% or 10% for residential property or the percent established by local officials. The percent and the length of time over which the exemption applies varies with schedule adopted by local officials.

Filing Requirements: Application must be filed with the County Assessor by February 1 of the year the value is added. An extended filing deadline is provided.

Refer to Code of Iowa Chapter 404 (PDF) for additional information.

Please see your city clerk for an exemption application.

Iowa Web Search Portal Exemption

Description: Exemption for certain property that is purchased by a Web search portal business. This includes cooling systems, cooling towers and other temperature control infrastructure; all power infrastructure for transformation, distribution or management of electricity used for the maintenance and operation of the Web search portal, including but not limited to exterior dedicated business-owned substations; back-up power generation systems, battery systems and related infrastructure; and racking systems, cabling and trays, which are necessary for the maintenance and operation of the Web search portal.

Eligibility: The Web search portal business must meet the requirements contained in Iowa Code section 423.3, subsection 92.

Filing Requirements: The owner must file an application with the County Assessor by February 1 of the first year the exemption is claimed.

Refer to Code of Iowa Chapter 427.1 (35) (PDF) for additional information.

Iowa Wildlife Habitat Exemption

Description: Exemption for land used to provide wildlife refuge.

Eligibility: Must be classified as agricultural real estate; cannot exceed two acres and must be certified by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Filing Requirements: Owner must receive certification from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, which must notify the County Assessor of eligibility.

Refer to Code of Iowa Chapter 427.1 (24) (PDF) for additional information.

Contact the Iowa Department of Natural Resources with questions and certification.

Iowa Wind Energy Property Exemption

Description: Promotes energy conservation. Subject to an ordinance of city councils or County Board of Supervisors.

Eligibility: Applies to the net acquisition cost of the wind energy conversion property. Exemption: 100% first year to 70% last year, over 20 years.

Filing Requirements: Application must be filed with County Assessor by February 1 of the year the value is added.

Refer to Code of Iowa Chapter 427B.26 (PDF) for additional information.