Credits & Exemptions

Originally adopted to encourage homeownership through property tax relief. Iowa residents who own and occupy their dwelling and the land it is located on may file for Homestead Credit. To qualify for the credit, the property owner must be a resident of Iowa and actually live on the property on July 1st and for at least six months of every year. It is the responsibility of the property owner to file.

The current credit is equal to the actual tax levy on the first $4,850 of actual value.

Disabled veterans are allowed to claim a Homestead Credit that would be equal to the entire amount of taxes levied on the homestead property. 

A property owner may have only one Homestead Credit on one parcel in the state.

Applications must be filed by July 1st of the year the credit is claimed. Once approved, the credit remains in effect until the owner moves or sells the property.

Qualification is determined based on residency, type of discharge and time served. Military veterans including Iowa National Guard and United States Reservists may qualify. Contact the County Assessors' Office for additional information. Applications must be made with the Assessor on or before July 1 of the year the exemption is first claimed. The exemption remains in effect until the property owner is no longer eligible.

This is a tax credit on agricultural tracts of land 10 acres or more that are farmed by the owner or immediate family members (this includes brothers/sisters, sons/daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, uncles/aunts, nephews/nieces.) This credit needs to be filed by November 1st at the Assessor's office. It only needs to be filed once unless the ownership or the person actively engaged in farming changes.

The application for pollution control or recycling property shall be accompanied by a certificate from the environmental protection division of the Iowa DNR.

Qualifying structures located in a Urban Revitalization District will receive an exemption based upon the schedule set up by each city council.

Agricultural landowners may designate not more than two acres of the land for use as a wildlife habitat. The Iowa DNR shall certify the designated land as a wildlife habitat.