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Forms for these credits and exemptions are included within the descriptions.
Tax Credits Tracking and Analysis Program
Individual Income Tax Credits
This webpage provides a nonexclusive explanation of property tax exemptions and credits. For questions about property tax credits and exemptions, contact your local assessor or [email protected].
Property Tax Exemptions and Credits Applicable to Agricultural or Nature Property
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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 the school foundation property tax levy.
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.
Form: No form is needed.
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.
Form: Barn and One-Room Schoolhouse Preservation Property Tax Exemption (54-018) (167.16 KB) Archived .pdf
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 the school foundation property tax levy.
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.
Form: Family Farm Tax Credit (54-023) (209.67 KB) Archived .pdf
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.
Form: Forest or Fruit Tree Reservation Property Tax Exemption (56-067) (167.64 KB) Archived .pdf
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.
Form: Native Prairie or Wetlands Property Tax Exemption (54-006) (168.29 KB) Archived .pdf
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.
Form: Natural Conservation and Wildlife Areas Property Tax Exemption (54-010) (584.11 KB) Archived .pdf
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.
Form: No form is needed.
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.
Form: Contact the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Property Tax Exemptions Applicable to Computers, Data Centers, and Web Search Property
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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.
Form: No form is needed.
Description: Exemption for certain property other than land and buildings that is purchased by a data center business. This includes computers and equipment that are necessary for the maintenance and operation of a data center business.
Eligibility: The data center business must meet the requirements contained in Iowa Code section 423.3 subsection 95.
As part of the requirements under Iowa Code section 423.3(95), the data center business must make a minimum investment in an Iowa physical location of $200,000,000 within the first six years of operation in Iowa beginning with the date the data center business initiates site preparation activities.
Filing Requirements: The owner must file an application with the assessor by February 1 of the first year the exemption is claimed.
Form: Data Center Business Property Tax Exemption (54-009) (136.56 KB) Archived .pdf
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.
As part of the requirements under Iowa Code section 423.3(92), the data center business must make a minimum investment in an Iowa physical location of $200,000,000 within the first six years of operation in Iowa beginning with the date the data center business initiates site preparation activities.
Filing Requirements: The owner must file an application with the assessor by February 1 of the first year the exemption is claimed.
Form: Web Search Portal Business Property Tax Exemption (54-007) (1.01 MB) Archived .pdf
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 93.
As part of the requirements under Iowa Code section 423.3(93), the data center business must make a minimum investment in an Iowa physical location of $200,000,000 within the first six years of operation in Iowa beginning with the date the data center business initiates site preparation activities.
Filing Requirements: The owner must file an application with the assessor by February 1 of the first year the exemption is claimed.
Form: Web Search Property Tax Exemption (54-013) (1.01 MB) Archived .pdf
Property Tax Exemptions and Credits Applicable to Homesteads and Other Property
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Description: The current credit is equal to 100% of the actual tax levy. For applications received on or after July 1, 2026, the credit is available on the homestead up to ½ acre, not to include appurtenances.
Eligibility: Veterans with a permanent service-connected disability rating of 100% qualify for this credit. Veterans also qualify who have a permanent and total disability rating based on individual unemployability paid at the 100% disability rate. The veteran 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. The surviving spouse as a beneficiary of the estate of a veteran who received the credit may continue to receive the credit as long as the spouse resides in the qualified homestead and does not remarry. However, a surviving spouse of a disabled veteran receiving DIC payments also qualifies and is eligible for the credit even upon remarriage.
Filing Requirements: Claim must be filed on or before July 1. A current Benefits Paid letter and a DD214 must be included with your application.
Form: Disabled Veteran's Homestead Property Tax Credit (54-049) (229.03 KB) Archived .pdf
Description: Exemption for value added by any new or refitted construction or installation of a geothermal heating or cooling system on or after July 1, 2012, on property classified as residential. This is a ten year exemption.
Eligibility: Must meet the requirements contained in Iowa Code section 427.1(38) and the Iowa Administrative Code rule 701–110.29.
Filing Requirements: Person claiming the exemption shall file an application with the assessor by February 1 of the first assessment year the exemption is requested.
Form: Geothermal Heating & Cooling System Property Tax Exemption (54-011) (125.72 KB) Archived .pdf
Description: Property approved by the assessor is eligible for a property tax exemption for up to four years if it meets the definition of “historic property”.
Eligibility: The property must meet the requirements found in Iowa Code section 427.16(6).
Filing Requirements: Must be filed, mailed, or postmarked to your city or county assessor by February 1 of the assessment year.
Form: Historic Property Rehabilitation Property Tax Exemption (54-019) (168.04 KB) Archived .pdf
Description: The exemption is equal to the amount of 10% of the taxable value of the homestead, not less than $5,500 and not more than $20,000, adjusted for inflation annually.
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.
Form: Homestead Tax Credit and Exemption (54-028) (184.9 KB) .pdf
Notice of Transfer or Change in Use of Property Claimed for Disabled Veteran Homestead Tax Credit, Military Service Tax Exemption, and Homestead Exemption
Description: Property owner must certify to the assessor that they no longer own the property or have ceased to use the property as a homestead claimed for a homestead tax credit.
Filing Requirements: Must be filed with the city or county assessor’s office by July 1 following the date of transfer or change in use of the property.
Form: Notice of Transfer or Change in Use of Property (59-458) (127.68 KB) Archived .pdf
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.
Form: Impoundment Structure Property Tax Exemption (54-067) (173.11 KB) Archived .pdf
Description: Value-added exemption. 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.
Form: Industrial Property Tax Exemption (57-122) (180.79 KB) Archived .pdf
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 or controlled 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.
Description: Provides for a full property tax exemption if a storm shelter is used exclusively as a storm shelter or a partial exemption if the storm shelter is used for any other purpose.
Eligibility: A structure constructed as a storm shelter at a manufactured home community or mobile home park as defined in Iowa Code section 435.1.
Filing Requirements: Must be filed with the assessor’s office no later than February 1 of the first year for which the exemption is requested.
Form: Mobile Home Park Storm Shelter Property Tax Exemption (54-999) (148.15 KB) Archived .pdf
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 and meet annual household low income requirements.
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.
Form: Iowa Mobile/Manufactured/Modular Home Owner Application for Reduced Tax Rate (54-014)
Description: Incorporated into the Homestead Tax Law to provide property tax to elderly homeowners and homeowners with disabilities.
Eligibility: Must be 65 or older or totally disabled, and meet annual household low income requirements. Claimants aged 70 years or older with higher household income are eligible for a separate property tax credit calculation.
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. The county treasurer may grant extensions of time to file. The Department of Revenue can no longer accept late claims for any year beginning July 1, 2025.
Additional Information: Property Tax Credit Expanded and Credit Calculation Amended
Description: Value added exemption. 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 the building is leased or sold.
Filing Requirements: Application must be filed with the assessor by February 1 for each project.
Form: Speculative Shell Buildings Property Tax Exemption (54-008) (179.69 KB) Archived .pdf
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 the 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.
Form: See your county assessor.
Other Property Tax Credits and Exemptions and Other Forms
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Description: Provides a credit for a portion of the property taxes, not to exceed the actual costs paid by the owner or operator of an underground storage tank in connection with a remedial action for which the Iowa comprehensive petroleum underground storage tank fund shares in the cost of corrective action.
Eligibility: By ordinance of a county board of supervisors or a city council as described in Iowa Code section 427B.20(3)
Filing Requirements: Must be filed with your county board of supervisors or city council by September 30 of each year.
Form: Local Option Remedial Action Property Tax Credit (54-017) (103.96 KB) Archived .pdf
Description: Applicable to property used to decompose waste and convert the waste to gas, to collect methane gas or other gases produced as a by-product of waste decomposition and to convert the gas to energy, or to collect waste in order to decompose the waste to produce methane gas or other gases and to convert the gas to energy.
Eligibility: Property must be used in connection or conjunction with a publicly-owned sanitary landfill, or is property originally placed in service on or after January 1, 2008, or before December 31, 2012.
Filing Requirements: Application must be filed annually with the assessor by February 1.
Form: Methane Gas Conversion Property Tax Exemption (54-065) (148 KB) Archived .pdf
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.
Form: Military Service Property Tax Exemption (54-146) (193.51 KB) Archived .pdf
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. Application must include the approval certificate from the Pollution Control Tax Exemption and Certification for Animal Feeding Operation form filed with the Iowa Department of Nature Resources.
Form: Pollution Control and Recycling Property Tax Exemption (54-064) (116.49 KB) Archived .pdf
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.
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: Must be 65 or older or totally disabled, and meet annual household low income requirements.
Filing Requirements: The claimant must file a claim with the county treasurer by September 30 of each year.
Form: Iowa Special Assessment Credit (54-036) (174.98 KB) Archived .pdf