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1. My assessment has not changed, why have my property taxes increased?

• There are three major factors that determine your tax bill:
• Assessed value (determined by our office)
• Rollback (determined by the Iowa Department of Revenue)
• Levy rate (determined by local taxing bodies)
• Example of a very simplified version:

$200,000	(assessed value based on market value)
x 0.60	(rollback based on valuation changes throughout Iowa)
$120,000	(taxable value)
x 0.04000	(levy based on budgets of school, county, city, assessor, etc)
$4,800	(tax bill)

The rollback is the same for all properties of that class throughout the state

The taxable value is the value that your taxes are based on

The levy rate is a combination of the tax asking’s of the school, county, city or township, community college, assessor, and other entities whose area your property is located.

2. What does my property tax pay for?

What does my property tax pay for?

3. How does the Assessor determine the value of my property?

Depending on the classification of the property, the assessment is to represent the market value of the property unless otherwise provided by Iowa Code. Residential, agricultural dwellings, multi-residential, commercial, and industrial classed properties are to be assessed at market value. Changes in market value as indicated by research, sales ratio studies and analysis of local conditions as well as economic trends both in and outside the construction industry are used in determining your assessment.  Market value of a property is an estimate of the price that it would sell for on the open market on January 1st of the year of assessment. This is sometimes referred to as the ’arm’s length transaction’ or ’willing buyer/willing seller’ concept. Agricultural land and buildings are valued on productivity and net earning capacity.

4. What is classification?

• Real estate parcels are assigned a property classification by the assessor
• This classification is to be consistent with the primary use of the property
• There are currently five classifications of property in Iowa:
  • Residential
  • Commercial
  • Agricultural
  • Industrial
• Classification may not necessarily be the same as the zoning of the property
• Iowa Code Chapter 441.21

5. How does the Assessor determine Market Value?

• We use Mass Appraisal to determine your value
• We must be at or near market value and have similar properties of a class be equitable
• Our office begins with gathering data on the characteristics of your property
• This is done through an appraiser inspecting your property
• We use the state mandated Iowa Real Property Appraisal Manual to determine the replacement cost new of your building (Cost Approach to Value)
• The replacement cost new is what a property would be worth if it was newly constructed
• The market (sales of other properties) is studied to determine if the property or area needs an adjustment. 
• This is done by using statistical measures specific to that area
• Our approach to value is the Cost Approach adjusted to the Market
• We do not typically use the Income Approach to value, due to difficulty in getting income data from property owners
• Iowa Code Chapter 441.21

6. How often is my property reassessed?

• State law requires all properties to be reassessed every odd numbered year.
• If necessary, assessors may reassess property every year.
• Iowa Code Chapter 441.47

7. What do I do if I disagree with the assessed value of my property?

• The first step would be to contact our office to set up a review of your property
• Our assessment date is January 1^st of each year
• From April 2^nd to the 25^th we can come to an Informal Agreement with property owners
• Iowa Code Chapter 441.30
• April 2^nd through April 30^th is also the time frame for filing a Formal Petition to the Board of Review
• The April 30^th deadline may be extended to June 5^th if a disaster has been declared
• If we receive a petition early enough, we will try to turn it into an Informal Agreement
• Iowa Code Chapter 441.31

8. How do I appeal my assessment?

Visit our Board of Review page for information on appealing your assessment.

9. How is the Assessor appointed?

• The local assessor is appointed by a conference board to a six year term after Director of the Department of Revenue approval
• The conference board for the county assessor is comprised of the county supervisors, the mayors of incorporated towns in the county, and a school board member from each school district in the county.
• All assessors must have successfully passed required courses and the assessor exam given by the Department of Revenue.
• Each assessor must successfully complete 150 hours of formal continuing education in order to be eligible for reappointment.
• Iowa Code Chapter 441.6

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1. What is a Homestead Credit and how do I apply?

• The homestead credit is a property tax credit for residents of the state of Iowa who own and occupy their homestead on July 1 and for at least six months of the calendar year.
• It is a tax credit funded by the State of Iowa for qualifying homeowners and is based on the first $4,850 of actual value of the homestead.
• You can apply for this in person at the Assessor’s Office or online.
• Pre-populated Homestead Tax Credit Application Forms are available to be printed from within your parcel on our website.
• Under "Real Estate Search" enter your property address.
• If you would like to apply online, follow the link after “Submit Application: HOMESTEAD TAX CREDIT”
• If you would like to mail in your application, follow the link included in “please apply for the Homestead Tax Credit”
• This will bring up the Homestead form that needs to be printed, filled out, signed, and returned to our office.
• For questions, contact us at 319-892-5220 or via email
• This is a one-time sign up
• If you move, you need to sign up again on the new house.
• Iowa Code Chapter 425

On May 4, 2023, Governor Reynolds signed House File 718, establishing a homestead tax exemption for claimants 65 years of age or older. This new exemption is in addition to the homestead tax credit. With this new tax exemption, eligible claimants who own the home they live in and are 65 years of age or older on or before January 1 of the assessment year are now eligible for a homestead tax exemption. For the assessment year beginning on January 1, 2023, the exemption is for $3,250 of taxable value. For assessment years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, the exemption is for $6,500 of taxable value. An exemption is a reduction in the taxable value of the property rather than a direct reduction in the amount of property tax you pay. 

Applications for this new tax exemption for those 65 and older are available on the Iowa Department of Revenue website or you can apply in person at the Assessor's Office. Cedar Rapids residents should apply at the Cedar Rapids City Assessor's Office. Linn County residents who live outside the city limits of Cedar Rapids should apply at the Linn County Assessor's Office.

The deadline to apply is July 1.

2. What is a Military Exemption and how do I apply?

• The Military Tax Exemption reduces the taxable value of property for military veterans.
• The military service tax exemption is being increased to $4,000 in taxable value for assessment years on or after January 1, 2023. Veterans who are already receiving the military exemption do not need to take any action to receive the increase in the military exemption – the exemption amount will increase automatically. You will see the exemption amount increase on the property taxes that are payable in the fall of 2024 and spring of 2025.
• Veterans who served in active duty and who were honorably discharged are eligible to receive a military exemption on their property taxes.
• If you served in the military and were on active duty for 18 months you are eligible for a military exemption.
• Former and current members of the Iowa National Guard and reserve forces need not have performed active duty if they served at least 20 years.
• Your DD214 must be recorded in Linn County for us to apply this exemption.
• Iowa Code Chapter 426A
• The Military Tax Exemption application is available of the Iowa Department of Revenue website or you can apply in person at the Assessor's Office. Cedar Rapids residents should apply at the Cedar Rapids City Assessor's Office. Linn County residents who live outside the city limits of Cedar Rapids should apply at the Linn County Assessor's Office.

3. What is the 65 and older Homestead Tax Exemption and how do I apply?

On May 4, 2023, Governor Reynolds signed House File 718, establishing a homestead tax exemption for claimants 65 years of age or older. This new exemption is in addition to the homestead tax credit that many homeowners already have. With this new tax exemption, eligible claimants who own the home they live in and are 65 years of age or older on or before January 1 of the assessment year are now eligible for a homestead tax exemption. 

For the assessment year beginning on January 1, 2023, the exemption is for $3,250 of taxable value. For assessment years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, the exemption is for $6,500 of taxable value. An exemption is a reduction in the taxable value of the property rather than a direct reduction in the amount of property tax you pay.

 The application for the homestead exemption is available on the Iowa Department of Revenue website.

4. What is the deadline to apply for the Homestead Tax Credit and Exemption?

Applications for Homestead Tax Credit and Exemptions must be filed or postmarked to your city or county assessor on or before July 1 of the year in which the credit or exemption is first claimed. A claim filed after July 1 of the year for which the person is claiming the credit or exemption shall be considered a claim filed for the following year.

Applications are available on the Iowa Department of Revenue website.

5. Is there an income limitation or requirement to qualify for the 65 and older Homestead Exemption?

No, there is not an income level requirement for the 65+ homestead exemption.

6. If my parcel shows homestead credit as YES, do I need to file the new exemption application for people 65 and older?

On May 4, 2023, Governor Reynolds signed House File 718, establishing a homestead tax exemption for claimants 65 years of age or older. This new exemption is in addition to the homestead tax credit that many homeowners already have. Residents 65 and older should contact their Assessor's Office with questions about this new exemption. Cedar Rapids residents should contact the Cedar Rapids City Assessor's Office by calling 319-286-5888. Linn County residents who live outside the city limits of Cedar Rapids should contact the Linn County Assessor's Office by calling 319-892-5220.

The deadline to apply is July 1.

7. How long does the Homestead Tax Credit and Exemption last?

An approved Homestead Tax Credit and Exemption claim will remain in effect on that homestead for future years without filing again as long as the person continues to qualify for the homestead credit or exemption.

8. I already receive the Military Homestead Exemption and I am over 65. Do I also qualify for the new over 65 Homestead Tax Exemption?

Yes. Homeowners who are 65 or older AND a qualifying veteran are eligible for both the military exemption and the homestead tax exemption. If you have a spouse who is also over age 65, only one 65 and over homestead exemption is allowed per property.

Applications are available on the Iowa Department of Revenue website.

9. I have applied for the Homestead Credit and/or Military Exemption, but I don't see them on my property tax bill

• Depending on when the homestead credit or military exemption application was received in our office, it may be more than 24 months for the credit or exemption to appear on the property tax statement.
• July 1 is the deadline for filing for the homestead credit or military exemption.
• If the July 1 deadline is missed, the exemption or credit will not be applicable until the next assessment year.
• For example, if a property owner applied for the homestead credit on July 2, 2020, they have missed the July 1 deadline for assessment year 2020. The property owner is now applying for the homestead credit for assessment year 2021. The property owner will not receive a property tax statement reflecting their homestead credit until September 2022/March 2023.

10. What other Credits and Exemption may I be eligible for?

There are several more credits or exemptions that may be applied for at your local assessor’s office or through another office. Each type of exemption or credit has specific criteria and rules. Some are one time sign up and others must be applied for annually. Here are a couple of links that will guide you:

Iowa Department of Revenue Credit and Exemption Page

Business Two-tier Assessment Limitation (Formerly BPTC)