Sunny · 19°

Credits and Exemptions

Iowa law provides for a number of credits and exemptions. It is the property owner's responsibility to apply for these as provided by law. It is also the property owner's responsibility to report to the Assessor when they are no longer eligible for any credit or exemption they have applied for.

Following is a list of several credits and exemptions available in Iowa. Many of these forms must be completed in the Assessor's Office. To download their application forms, please visit the Iowa Department of Revenue website.

IDR Applications

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. New applications for homestead tax credit 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 continues until the property is sold or until the owner no longer qualifies. This credit reduces the value on which taxes are calculated by a maximum of $4,850.

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.

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.

Iowa Code: Chapter 425A
Cattle Facilities
Time Period: 5 Years
Eligibility Contact: Assessor
Deadline: February 1
Forest/Fruit Tree Reservations
Time Period: Permanent
Eligibility Contact: Assessor
Deadline: February 1
Historic Property
Time Period: 4/4 Years
Eligibility Contact: State Historical Society/Assessor
Deadline: February 1
Impoundment Structures
Time Period: Annual
Eligibility Contact: Assessor
Deadline: February 1
Industrial Partial 427B
Time Period: 5 Years
Eligibility Contact: Assessor
Deadline: February 1
Native Prairie or Wetlands
Time Period: Annual
Eligibility Contact: DNR State Wildlife Biologist/Assessor
Deadline: February 1
Open Prairie
Time Period: Annual
Eligibility Contact: Soil Conservation Service
Deadline: February 1
Pollution Control
Time Period: Permanent
Eligibility Contact: Assessor
Deadline: February 1
Urban Revitalization
Time Period: By Ordinance
Eligibility Contact: City/County Assessor
Deadline: February 1
Wildlife Habitat
Time Period: Annual
Eligibility Contact: DNR State Wildlife Biologist/Assessor
Deadline: February 1
Disabled Veteran
Time Period: Annual
Eligibility Contact: Local Administrator Veterans Affairs/Assessor
Deadline: July 1