County
Tax Process
Tax Rates
Per Iowa Code (Ch.
331.512), the auditor prepares the tax list and
certifies levies to the treasurer. Each levying authority (e.g. county,
cities, school districts, townships), determines its own tax rate
based on the valuation report and budgetary needs as provided by
the Code of Iowa.
Contact your
county auditor for
the latest version of a county’s levy rates.
How Taxes Are Calculated
Based on the budgets submitted by the various levying authorities,
the auditor prepares and certifies the levy rates in the county.
Budgets for each levying authority are based on its taxable valuation
as well as levy limits established by the Code of Iowa. Levy rates
are expressed in dollars and cents per $1,000 of taxable valuation.
Property taxes due during a fiscal year are based on the assessed
property value as of January 1 of the preceding year, i.e. the assessments
for January 1, 2007 will be the basis for the taxes paid in September
of 2008 and March 2009.
For an overview
and calendar of the property tax cycle, read the Iowa Department
of Revenue’s Introduction
to Iowa Property Tax.
For a detailed primer of local property tax, see the Iowa
Legislative Services Agency Local Property Tax guide.
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