TIF and Abatement Reform
The Problem: The state is on the hook for the $5.40 levy for school districts….
Property Tax
November-Only Bond Issues and Spending Questions
November-only bond issues and spending question elections was included in the property tax reform bill…
ITR Calls for Two-Year Property Tax Freeze
We think it would be a good idea to implement a two-year property tax freeze in Iowa, so that we can press pause and take a look at some ideas to reform the system. We don’t believe that this gets solved in one year. It’s taken many years to get to this point. Property taxes in Iowa are the 10th highest in the nation and, as assessments are going up, Iowans are going to be faced with increasing property tax bills.
Trying to Escape Unreasonable Property Taxes?
In Iowa, we expect to receive quality public services at a reasonable cost. However, in too many school districts, cities, and counties, there is a gap between the amount of property taxes extracted from citizens and the growth of the community. What is going on? Why is this happening? It happens for different reasons in each locality across the state, but the heart of the problem is a failure to talk with local elected officials.
How Property Taxes Work
Property taxes are complicated and confusing. A significant amount of confusion comes from the…
Way Too Early
“Too often, people are elected to the city council or county board of supervisors, and…
Runaway Property Taxes
“Just because your house might be valued 22% higher, it doesn’t mean you have 22%…
Homeowners Set Up for Higher Property Taxes
“There will be tens of thousands of people who appeal their assessments and ten people…
Tax Ferrets
Iowa once had a property tax system that involved the use of “Tax Ferrets,” whose…