Estimate your Iowa property tax based on the state's 1.38% average effective rate. Enter your home value for an instant, free calculation.
Enter any tax exemption amount you qualify for in Iowa
Iowa ranks among the ten highest states for property tax burden. Homes are appraised at full market value, but a statewide 'rollback' cuts taxable value to a fraction of that — 47.43% on the 2026 assessment — to keep growth in check.
Iowa property is assessed at 100% of market value and reappraised every two years. Because statewide residential taxable value can't grow more than 3% a year, the Director of Revenue issues an annual rollback that reduces taxable value to a fraction of market value (47.43% for the 2026 assessment). Local levy rates, quoted per $1,000 of taxable value, are set independently by counties, cities, and school districts.
| Home Value | Estimated Annual Tax | Monthly (Escrow) |
|---|---|---|
| $203,000 (median) | $2,801 | $233/mo |
| $250,000 | $3,450 | $288/mo |
| $600,000 | $8,280 | $690/mo |
Effective rates vary within Iowa. These figures are median-tax-to-median-value estimates from U.S. Census ACS data (2019–2023 ACS 5-year (SmartAsset)) for some of the most populous counties:
| County | Effective Rate |
|---|---|
| Polk County | 1.51% |
| Linn County | 1.56% |
| Scott County | 1.33% |
| Johnson County | 1.50% |
| Black Hawk County | 1.36% |
| Woodbury County | 1.38% |
| Dubuque County | 1.15% |
| Story County | 1.24% |
Among these counties, effective rates range from about 1.15% in Dubuque County to 1.56% in Linn County. Your actual rate depends on the local mill/millage set by your county, city, and school district.
Iowa's Homestead Tax Credit exempts tax on the first $4,850 of a qualifying owner-occupied home's actual value; owners file once with the county assessor by July 1. Effective with the 2023 assessment year, an additional homestead exemption for owners 65 and older removes $6,500 of taxable value (assessment years 2024 and after), on top of the standard credit.
The Military Service Tax Exemption reduces taxable value by $1,852 for most eligible veterans, and the Disabled Veteran Homestead Tax Credit covers 100% of homestead tax for veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled and qualifying surviving spouses (a veteran can't claim both on the same property). Seniors 65+ get the added $6,500 exemption, and lower-income elderly and disabled Iowans may qualify for a further Property Tax Credit.
Taxes are billed on a fiscal-year basis and paid in two installments to the county treasurer: the first half is due September 1 (delinquent after September 30) and the second half March 1 (delinquent after March 31). Late payments accrue 1.5% monthly interest.
Request an informal review with the assessor between April 2 and 25, or file a written protest with the local Board of Review between April 2 and 30. If dissatisfied, appeal to the Iowa Property Assessment Appeal Board or district court.
Iowa's statewide average effective property tax rate is about 1.29% of home value, well above the national average, ranking it among the top 10 states for property tax burden. Actual rates are set locally and vary by county and city.
Assessors value your property at 100% of market value and reappraise every two years. The state then applies an annual rollback that lowers taxable value to a set fraction of market value (47.43% for residential property on the 2026 assessment), and local rates apply to that reduced value.
Owner-occupants can claim the Homestead Tax Credit on the first $4,850 of actual value, and homeowners 65+ can add a $6,500 taxable-value exemption. Veterans may qualify for the Military Service Tax Exemption or, at 100% disability, a credit covering all homestead taxes. Most require a one-time application by July 1.