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Iowa law provides for a number of exemptions and credits, including Homestead Credit and Military Exemption. It is the property owner’s responsibility to apply for these as provided by law. If the property you were occupying as a homestead is sold, or if you cease to use the property as a homestead you are required to report this to the assessor in whose jurisdiction the property is located.
Note: The Homestead and Military forms on Beacon can populate your information automatically.
Credit/Exemption
Time Period
Contact for Eligibility
Filing Deadline
Homestead Tax Credit
Time Period: Permanent
Eligibility Contact: Assessor
Deadline: July 1
To qualify for the credit, the property owner must be a resident of Iowa and occupy the property on July 1 and for at least six months of every year. To qualify for the exemption, the property owner must be 65 years old or older on January 1 of the year they are applying for. New applications for homestead tax credit and exemption are to be filed with the Assessor on or before July 1 of the year the credit is first claimed. Once a person qualifies, the credit and/or exemption continues until the property is sold or until the owner no longer qualifies.
The credit reduces the value on which taxes are calculated by a maximum of $4,850.
For assessment years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, the exemption is for $6,500 of taxable value.
Download: Application Form
Iowa Code: Chapter 425
Military Tax Credit
Time Period: Permanent
Eligibility Contact: Assessor
Deadline: July 1
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.
Download: Application Form
Iowa Code: Chapter 426
Family Farm Tax Credit
Time Period: Permanent
Eligibility Contact: Assessor
Deadline: November 1
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.
Download: Application Form
Iowa Code: Chapter 425A
Cattle Facilities
Time Period: 5 Years
Eligibility Contact: Assessor
Deadline: February 1
Exemption is based on the actual value added to owner-operated cattle facilities, including small or medium-sized feedlots, either by new construction or by the retrofitting of existing facilities.
Download: Application Form
Forest/Fruit Tree Reservations
Time Period: Permanent
Eligibility Contact: Assessor
Deadline: February 1
Download: Application Form
Historic Property
Time Period: 4/4 Years
Eligibility Contact: State Historical Society/Assessor
Deadline: February 1
Download: Application Form
Impoundment Structures
Time Period: Annual
Eligibility Contact: Assessor
Deadline: February 1
The impoundment must contain at least 18 acre-feet of water, be outside of a city limits and be used for agricultural purposes to qualify for exemption.
Download: Application Form
Industrial Partial 427B
Time Period: 5 Years
Eligibility Contact: Assessor
Deadline: February 1
Property must be an industrial warehouse, distribution center or research facility to qualify.
Native Prairie or Wetlands
Time Period: Annual
Eligibility Contact: DNR State Wildlife Biologist/Assessor
Deadline: February 1
The first annual application shall be accompanied by a certificate from the Department of Natural Resources stating that the land is native prairie or protected wetland.
Download: Application Form
Iowa Code: 427.1(23)
Open Priaire
Time Period: Annual
Eligibility Contact: Soil Conservation Service
Deadline: February 1
Download: Application Form
Pollution Control
Time Period: Permanent
Eligibility Contact: Assessor
Deadline: February 1
The application for pollution control or recycling property shall be accompanied by a certificate from the environmental protection division of the Iowa DNR.
Download: Application Form
Iowa Code: 427.1(19)
Urban Revitalization
Time Period: By Ordinance
Eligibility Contact: City/County Assessor
Deadline: February 1
Qualifying structures located in a Urban Revitalization District will receive an exemption based upon the schedule set up by each city council.
Wildlife Habitat
Time Period: Annual
Eligibility Contact: DNR State Wildlife Biologist/Assessor
Deadline: February 1
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.
Download: Application Form
Disabled Veteran
Time Period: Annual
Eligibility Contact: Local Administrator Veterans Affairs/Assessor
Deadline: July 1
Download: Application Form
Barn Preservation
Time Period:
Eligibility Contact: Assessor
Deadline: February 1
Download: Application Form
Mobile Home Park Storm Shelter
Time Period: Permanent
Eligibility Contact: Assessor
Deadline: February 1
Download: Application Form
Natural Conservation or Wildlife Areas
Time Period: Annual
Eligibility Contact: Soil and Water Conservation District
Deadline: February 1
Download: Application Form
Religious, Literary, and Charitable Societies
Time Period: Permanent
Eligibility Contact: Assessor
Deadline: February 1
Download: Application Form
Iowa Code: 427.1(14)
Geothermal
Time Period:
Eligibility Contact: Assessor
Deadline: February 1
Download: Application Form
