Official Website for Madison County, Iowa
Contact Information
Assessor
Madison County Annex
PO Box 152 201 W Court Ave Winterset, Iowa 50273
Duties of the Assessor
The Assessor is charged with several administrative and statutory duties; however, the primary duty and responsibility is to cause to be assessed all real property within their jurisdiction except that which is otherwise provided by law.
This would include residential, commercial, multi-residential, industrial and agricultural classes of property.
Real property is revalued every two years.
The effective date of the assessment is January 1st of the current year.
The assessor determines a full or partial value of new construction, or improvements depending upon the state of completion as of January first.
Please call the assessor's office at 515-462-4303 to report any changes to your property.
Changes to your property that should be reported to your local assessor
New houses, buildings, or mobile homes
Basement or attic finish
Additions to houses, buildings, or mobile homes
Remodeling (interior or exterior)
Decks, patios, and garages
Fireplaces
Buildings removed, torn down or damaged by fire or flood
It is your legal responsibility to report to the assessor changes or improvements to your real estate. 441.24 (1)Code of Iowa provides:
If a person refuses to furnish the verified statements required in connection with the assessment of property by the assessor, or to list the corporation's or person's property, the director of revenue and finance or assessor, as the case may be, shall proceed to list and assess the property according to the best information obtainable and shall add to the taxable valuation one hundred percent thereof, which valuation and penalty shall be separately shown, and shall constitue the assessment; and if the valuation of the property is changed by a board of review or on appeal from a board of review, a like penalty shall be added to the valuation thus fixed.
Credits and Exemptions
Iowa law provides for several credits and exemptions. It is the property owner's responsibility to apply for these as provided by law. It is also the property owner's responsibility to report to the Assessor when they are no longer eligible for any credit or exemption they have applied for. Please reach out directly to our office for the most current list of credit and exemption applications, application forms and deadlines.
The Conference Board serves as the governing board for the office of the Assesor.
The County Conference Board consists of the mayors of all incorporated cities within the County, one representative from the Board of Directors of each high school district
who is a resident of the county and the members of the County Board of Supervisors.
The Conference Board appoints members to the Examing Board and the Board of Review.
Assessed value and taxable value are not synonymous terms.
Property is assessed as of January 1st.
Property is reassessed every two years.
Taxes are levied on a value determined by the auditor by applying a "roll back"
percentage to the assessed value and deducting any applicable exemptions or credits.
The "roll back" percentages vary each year.
On values determined as of January 1st, one does not pay taxes until eighteen months later.
The "roll back" is the percentage of actual value that is determined by the Director of Revenue and Finance each year on the several classes of property where the total value increase STATEWIDE exceeds four percent for each class of property.
The percentage so determined by the Director of Revenue and Finance are certified to and applied by the local county auditor to all property in each class effected throughout the State.
Percentages determined by the Director of Revenues and Finance are the same for all the assessing jurisdictions in the State. Increases in assessed value of individual parcels of property, as determined by the assessor, may exceed four percent within a jurisdiction.
Agricultural property, except agricultural dwellings, are assessed on the basis of productivity and net earning capacity using a five year crop average and capitalized at the rate set by the Legislature. The rate is currently seven percent.
Tentative and final equalization orders are issued by the Director of Revenue and Finance in odd numbered years on or about August 15th, and October 1st respectively.
The orders are sent to the various county auditors who apply them to the classes of property affected, if any.
Board of Review
Boards of Review play an important role in the property tax process by responding to assessment appeals and reviewing assessments within their jurisdiction. The 3-member Board consists of a farmer, a licensed real estate broker and contractor from Madison County.
Dates to Remember:
January 1: Effective date of current assessment
April 1: Assessment notices mailed
April 2-25: Property owners may request an information review of their assessment
April 2-30: Period for filing assessment protests with local Board of Review
May 1 - Adjournment: Board of Review Meets
October 9-31: Protest Period to file with Board of Review for properties affected by changes in value as a result of a Department of Revenue Equalization Order