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Important News

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Anyone that has called into an assessor's office wanting to talk about their property taxes has likely been informed that our offices don't set taxes--we are tasked by state code to reflect what, statistically, your Residential or Commercial property would most likely sell for, i.e., market value or your assessment.  That being said, the non-profit Tax Foundation recently had an article about tax relief in Iowa that might be of interest to property owners, and the role of the assessments in the Iowa property tax system:
 
https://taxfoundation.org/research/all/state/iowa-property-tax-relief/
 
No assessor in Iowa worth their salt has made an assessment based off of the eventual taxes. Taxes are set and collected in a process that takes 18 months from the date of assessment and involves the Iowa Department of Revenue, county auditors, and taxing bodies. And then there is the likelihood of state legislators once again making changes to the process, such as SSB 1208. Trying to predict the eventual taxes at the time we set the assessment is a fool's errand. Assessors are nerds, not psychics.  Although we are sympathetic to the tax concerns of property owners, we are tasked with determining your property's market value and that is our focus. If you do not believe that your assessed value is a likely sales price and have compelling evidence why that is the case, your local assessor wants to hear from you when you get your assessment notication in a few days.  While mass appraisal is a pretty amazing tool for setting values, there are always going to be oddball properties that don't fit the mold. If you believe you could sell your property for at least the assessment, then it is more than likely appropriate. If you do not, then the appeals process is there to utilize. That information can be found at the bottom of your assessment notification which will be mailed out no later than April 1st.
 
Article Credit:  Dubuque County Assessor
Attached document:  Tax Foundation
 
 
 
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2025 Valuations have been updated.

Assessments are required to be the 100% fair market value of the property (unless otherwise provided by the Code of Iowa) in its condition as of January 1st. This is the amount established by the Assessor’s office before application of the state rollback factor. The 2025 assessed value will be the basis of your tax bill in 2026-2027.  The assessed value should not be confused with taxable value or the tax bill.


If you are not satisfied with the assessment, you may ask for an informal review of your assessment between April 2 and April 25. You may also file a protest to your local Board of Review between April 2 and April 30.  For more information see Iowa Code 441.30 and Iowa Code 441.37.  Contact the office at 515-332-1463 for details.

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All new construction and/or building removals need to be reported to the Assessor's Office by January 1st.
 
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Monday - 05/15/2023

On May 4, 2023, Governor Reynolds signed House File 718, establishing a homestead tax exemption for claimants 65 years of age or older.

In addition to the homestead tax credit, 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 Iowa Department of Revenue has amended the Homestead Tax Credit and Exemption (54-028) to allow claimants to apply for the new exemption. Applications are due July 1 to the Humboldt County Assessor's Office. If the exemption is granted, the exemption will be allowed for future years without future filing as long as the claimant continues to qualify.   The form is also available to be filled out and submitted electronically.  Click the Real Estate Search button to the left of this screen and search for your parcel. 

 

The new law also more than doubles an existing property tax exemption for veterans. It increases the military service tax exemption to $4,000 in taxable value from the current $1,852 in taxable value, starting with the current assessment year that began Jan. 1. Military veterans currently receiving the exemption do NOT need to file a new application as long as the veteran or the veteran's spouse is the legal or equitable owner of the property on July 1 for which the exemption is allowed.  If you are not currently receiving the military service tax exemption, applications are due July 1 to the Humboldt County Assessor's Office. 

 

Please call 515-332-1463 if you have questions!

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