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Iowa Property Tax Credits and Exemptions
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.
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.
Iowa Computers and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Special Valuation
Description: Computers and industrial machinery and equipment acquired after 12/31/93 are exempt from tax.
Eligibility: Special valuation applies to all computers but only to machinery and equipment classified as industrial real estate.
Iowa Disabled and Senior Citizens Property Tax Credit/Rent Reimbursement
Description: Incorporated into the Homestead Tax Law to provide property tax or rent relief to elderly homeowners and homeowners with disabilities.
Eligibility: Must be 65 or older or totally disabled, and have household income of less than $19,503.
Filing Requirements: A property owner must file a claim with the county treasurer by June 1 preceding the fiscal year in which the property taxes are due. 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.
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.
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 assessor by February 1.
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.
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 nonagricultural 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 assessor each year no later than February 1.
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 boards 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 assessor by February 1 of the year the value is added.
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 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 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.
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.
Filing Requirements: Application must be filed annually with the assessor by February 1.
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.
Iowa Mobile Home Reduced Tax Rate
Description: Enacted as a supplement to the Disabled and Senior Citizens Property Tax Credit. The objective is to provide mobile, manufactured and modular home owners with equivalent aid.
Eligibility: Must be an Iowa resident, 23 or older. Household income must be less than $19,503.
Filing Requirements: On or before June 1 of each year, each mobile, manufactured and modular home owner eligible for a reduced tax rate must file a claim with the county treasurer. The county treasurer or the director may grant an extension of time to file.
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 assessor by February 1.
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.
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.
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 assessor by February 1. No further application is needed if use remains unchanged.
Iowa Special Assessment Credit
Description: Established in conjunction with the Disabled and Senior Citizens Property Tax Credit. The credit gives 100 percent assistance to qualified homeowners who are required to pay special assessments.
Eligibility: Requirements parallel those for the disabled and senior citizens property tax credit. Household income cannot exceed $10,047.
Filing Requirements: The claimant must file a claim with the county treasurer by September 30 of each year.
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 assessor by February 1 for each project.
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 assessor by February 1 of the year the value is added. An extended filing deadline is provided.
Iowa Value-Added Agricultural Products Exemption
Description: Promotes agricultural production.
Eligibility: Applies to fixtures used for cooking, refrigeration or freezing of value-added agricultural products.
Filing Requirements: No claim for exemption required.
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 assessor by February 1 of the first year the exemption is claimed.
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 assessor of eligibility.
Iowa Wind Energy Property Exemption
Description: Promotes energy conservation. Subject to an ordinance of city councils or county boards 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 assessor by February 1 of the year the value is added.