Senior, Veteran and Disability Property Tax Relief in Iowa
Property tax exemptions, freezes and credits in Iowa for seniors, disabled veterans and people with disabilities.
Short answer: Homeowners 65 or older on or before January 1 of the assessment year receive an additional homestead exemption of $6,500 of taxable value, which carries forward without refiling. Iowa Department of Revenue, Homestead Tax Credit and Exemption; Property Tax Credit Expanded
| Senior exemptions and freezes | Homeowners 65 or older on or before January 1 of the assessment year receive an additional homestead exemption of $6,500 of taxable value, which carries forward without refiling. Property Tax Credit for low-income seniors: since 2022, claimants 70 or older qualify if household income is under 250% of the federal poverty level, receiving the greater of the pre-SF 619 credit calculation or the difference between current-year taxes and the taxes in their first claim year; file Form 54-001 with the County Treasurer between January 1 and June 1 each year. Credit: https://revenue.iowa.gov/taxes/tax-guidance/tax-credits-deductions-exemption/property-tax-credit-expanded |
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| Veteran exemptions | Disabled Veteran Homestead Tax Credit: a credit equal to the entire tax levied on the homestead for a veteran (or former National Guard member meeting Iowa service requirements) with a permanent service-connected disability rating of 100%, or a permanent and total disability rating based on individual unemployability paid at the 100% rate, and for a surviving spouse or child receiving dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC). It continues for an unremarried surviving spouse and children who inherit the home. File Form 54-049 with the Homestead Tax Exemption form, a DD-214 and a VA benefits letter issued within 12 months, with the city or county assessor by July 1; no annual reapplication is needed. For applications on or after July 1, 2026, the credit is calculated on a homestead limited to one-half acre without appurtenances. A veteran claiming it may not claim the military service tax exemption in the same year. Program page: https://revenue.iowa.gov/forms/application-disabled-veteran-homestead-tax-credit-54-049 |
More Iowa property tax & homestead exemptions
- The Homestead Exemption in Iowa
- Appealing Your Property Tax Assessment in Iowa
- All Iowa property tax & homestead exemptions rules
FAQ
Do seniors get a property tax exemption in Iowa?
Homeowners 65 or older on or before January 1 of the assessment year receive an additional homestead exemption of $6,500 of taxable value, which carries forward without refiling. Property Tax Credit for low-income seniors: since 2022, claimants 70 or older qualify if household income is under 250% of the federal poverty level, receiving the greater of the pre-SF 619 credit calculation or the difference between current-year taxes and the taxes in their first claim year; file Form 54-001 with the County Treasurer between January 1 and June 1 each year.
Do disabled veterans pay property tax in Iowa?
Disabled Veteran Homestead Tax Credit: a credit equal to the entire tax levied on the homestead for a veteran (or former National Guard member meeting Iowa service requirements) with a permanent service-connected disability rating of 100%, or a permanent and total disability rating based on individual unemployability paid at the 100% rate, and for a surviving spouse or child receiving dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC). It continues for an unremarried surviving spouse and children who inherit the home. File Form 54-049 with the Homestead Tax Exemption form, a DD-214 and a VA benefits letter issued within 12 months, with the city or county assessor by July 1; no annual reapplication is needed. For applications on or after July 1, 2026, the credit is calculated on a homestead limited to one-half acre without appurtenances. A veteran claiming it may not claim the military service tax exemption in the same year.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.