Official Website for Madison County, Iowa
Contact Information
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 a number of 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.
Barn Preservation - Sign up deadline: February 1
After being approved the exemption will continue until it no longer qualifies.
The barn must have been constructed prior to 1937 and be used for the storage of farm products or feed or for the housing of farm animals or farm equipment.
The exemption is only for value added due to improvements or remodeling.
Barn Preservation and One-Room School House Preservation Exemption Application
Business Property Credit Sign up deadline: July 1
Each commercial or industrial parcel owner can receive the credit. After being approved, the credit will continue until any ownership change occurs.
If adjoining parcels are owned by the same person, more information will be needed to determine how many credits will be allowed.
This credit was created to reduce the tax on beginning amounts of business property value to the same rate as residential property.
Disabled Veteran Homestead Credit Sign up deadline: July 1
The veteran must have a permanent and total disability rating (service-connected) or individual unemployability rating that is compensated at the 100% disability rate (as certified by the United States department of veterans’ affairs).
A surviving spouse or child who receives dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) is also eligible to receive this credit. The credit will continue until the owner moves or sells the property.
Disabled Veteran Homestead Credit Application
Family Farm Credit Sign up deadline: November 1
The owners of farmland who are actively engaged in farming more than half of the tract or who leased/rent the land to a spouse, parent, grandparent, child, or grandchild will qualify for this credit. The minimum size is 10 acres, which includes all connecting parcels.
Family Farm Credit Application
Forest Reserve Sign up deadline: February 1
A Forest Reverse must contain at least 200 growing trees per acre with a minimum size of 2 acres. If buildings are present, 1 acre will be removed from the exemption.
No livestock is allowed on the property, nor can the area be leased for hunting.
If the area is leased or pastured, up to five years of recapture tax will be made unless the property has been owned by the same family for 10 years or more.
After the application has been accepted, the area shall receive the tax exemption without having to refile. If sold, the buyer does not have to refile as the exemption will continue on to the new owner.
Forest or Fruit Tree Reservation Exemption Application
Fruit Tree Reservation Exemption Sign up deadline: February 1
The Fruit Tree exemption lasts for 8 years and is for tracts containing 1 to 10 acres with 40 apple trees or 70 other fruit trees per acre.
There can be no economic gain made on these acres until the exemption has expired. After the application has been accepted, the area shall receive the tax exemption without having to refile. If sold, the buyer does not have to refile as the exemption will continue on to the new owner.
Forest or Fruit Tree Reservation Exemption Application
Geothermal Heating and Cooling Exemption- Sign up deadline: February 1
The exemption is for the assessed value added due to a geothermal installation.
The geothermal system must have been installed after July 1, 2012. Unlike other exemptions,
it doesn't have to be applied for in the year it was first added.
The exemption runs for 10 years after it is applied for.
Geothermal Heating and Cooling Exemption Application
Historic Property Rehabilitation Exemption Sign up deadline: February 1
The exempted value is from new construction or for rehabilitation of historic property.
The application must contain an approved application for certified substantial rehabilitation from the state historic preservation officer.
The exemption schedule: Years 1 through 4 after exemption is approved = total exemption of value added. Year 5 exemption = 75% of value added. Year 6 exemption = 50% of value added. Year 7 exemption = 25% of value added. If the property is sold, the exemption will continue without refiling.
Historic Property Rehabilitation Exemption Application
Homestead Credit Sign up deadline: July 1
This credit is calculated by taking the levy rate times 4,850 in taxable value.
The property owner must live in the property for 6 months or longer each year, and must be a resident of Iowa.
The credit will continue without further signing as long as it continues to qualify or until is sold.
Family Farm Corporations is the only corporation entity that may also qualify.
People signing up will also be required to certify that a smoke detector has been, or will be installed in the home.
Homestead Credit Application
Impoundment Exemption Sign up deadline: February 1
The impoundment structure and underlying land are eligible for tax exempt status if:
It is located outside any incorporated city, it has a storage capacity of at least 18 acre-feet of water and is used for agricultural purposes.
The first year application must be accompanied by a water storage permit from the DNR and a copy of the impoundment plans. The exemption must be reapplied for each year.
Impoundment Structure Exemption Application
Industrial Property Exemption Sign up deadline: February 1 of the first year value is added.
This exemption is not an option unless the City Council or Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance allowing this type of exemption. The exemption is applied to value added by new construction or remodeling.
This is a partial exemption for a period of five years: First year exemption is 75%, second year 60%, third year 45%, fourth year 30%, and the 5th year 15%. One application covers all years for that project.
Industrial Property Exemption Application
Manufactured/Mobile Home Park Storm Shelter Sign up deadline: February 1
If the storm shelter is used exclusively as a storm shelter, the structure is fully exempt. If the storm shelter is used for any other purpose other than a storm shelter, the structure is 50% exempt and 50% taxable.
Manufactured Home Storm Shelter Exemption Application
Methane Gas Conversion Exemption Sign up deadline: February 1
Property used in the used in processes to decompose waste and convert the waste to gas qualifies for property tax exemption.
Also included is property used to collect gases produced as a by-product of waste decomposition and property used to convert the gas to energy. None of this exemption is intended to exempt land or buildings.
Methane Gas Conversion Exemption
Military Exemption Sign up deadline: July 1
Military personnel must be honorably discharged from active duty and served a minimum of 18 months, or at least one day during specific wars or conflicts, or if they served less than 18 months but were honorably discharged because of service related injuries.
Members of Reserve Forces or Iowa National Guard who were activated for duty for a minimum of 90 days also qualify. The unremarried spouse of a qualified veteran will qualify for this exemption too. The exemption continues until the property is sold or no longer qualifies.
Military Service Exemption Application
Native Prairie Exemption Sign up deadline: February 1
Any size tracts can be signed up for native prairie, and has to be land that has never been cultivated, is unimproved, and is natural or restored grasslands wherein at least 50% of the plant canopy is a mixture of grass and forb species which were found originally on Iowa’s prairie lands.
The application must be accompanied by a certificate from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources stating the property is qualified.
Native Praire or Wetlands Exemption Form
One-Room School House Preservation Sign up deadline: February 1
Any increase in assessed value added to preserve the integrity, and internal and external features of the structure is exempt from taxation.
It cannot be used for dwelling purposes. After it is filed, the exemption will continue without further applications.
Barn Preservation & One-Room School House Preservation Exemption Form
Pollution Control Exemption Sign up deadline: February 1
Buildings and structures (or parts of them) which are used to control or abate air/water pollution are eligible for tax exemption. First year applications for pollution control property tax exemptions are to be submitted to the Iowa DNR for certification.
A copy of the application for exemption and one of the certificates received from the DNR must be filed with the assessor by February 1. The exemption continues without further signup as long as it continues to qualify
Pollution Control & Recycling Exemption Form
Recycling Exemption Sign up deadline: February 1
Filing this form exempts structures (or parts of structures) that are used in the conversion of waste glass, waste plastic, wastepaper products, waste paperboard, or waste wood products into new raw materials or products composed primarily of recycled material. The application shall include a certificate from the DNR certifying that the primary use of the pollution-control property is to control or abate air/water pollution. No further application is needed for exemption to continue.
Pollution Control and Recycling Exemption Form
Religious and Charitable Exemption Sign up deadline: February 1
Iowa law allows religious and charitably owned property to be full exempt from taxes.
In order for the property to be exempt, it must be solely used for religious or charitable purposes. Being an IRS 501(c)3 nonprofit entity does not qualify a charitable property for exemption, as there still needs to be a charitable use in addition to the non-profit status.
If a portion of the property is being held or operated for a profit, the property may be considered only partly exempt and will contain both taxable and exempt portions.
Certain Non-profit and Charitable Organizations Exemption Form
Wetlands Exemption Sign up deadline: February 1
The first application must include a certificate from the Iowa DNR stating that the land is protected wetland.
Unlike most other exemptions, the exempt value is determined by using the average assessed value of the land, instead of the assessment for that specific area designated as wetland. Annual signups are required to keep the exemption in place.
The application must be accompanied by a certificate from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources stating the property is qualified.
Native Praire or Wetlands Exemption Form
Wildlife Habitat Sign up deadline: February 1
This exemption can be up to two acres in size. The parcel must have an assessed classification of Agricultural.
No exemption should be granted if there is any economic gain from this land. The exemption will continue without further signups until the property no longer qualifies.
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.
Property Exemption Applications
Certain Non-Profit and Charitable Organizations
Certification of Native Praire Wetland
Combined Request for Pollution Control
Forest or Fruit Tree Reservation
Geothermal Heating & Cooling System
Historic Property Rehabilitation Exemption
Impoundment Structure Exemption
Industrial Property Exemption
Manufactured Home Storm Shelter
Methane Gas Conversion Exemption
Property Credit Applications
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
Petition to Local Board of Review - Regular Session
Petition to Local Board of Review - Special Equalization Session