How do I apply or find out if I qualify for the Homestead Credit, 65 year or older Homestead Exemption, and Military Exemption?
Your local assessor has forms that you need to complete, sign, and file for the Homestead Credit, 65 year or older Homestead Exemption, and Military Exemption. That office can also tell you the qualifications for each. Iowa law provides for a number of exemptions and credits, including homestead credit and military exemption. It is the property owner’s responsibility to apply for these as provided by law at the Assessor’s office in their jurisdiction. If the property you were occupying as a homestead is sold, or if you cease to use the property as a homestead you are required to report this to the assessor in whose jurisdiction the property is located.
I have applied for the Homestead Credit, 65 year or older Homestead Exemption, and Military Exemption, but I don’t see them on my property tax bill?
Depending on when the homestead credit application or military exemption application was signed by the property owner, it may be more than 24 months for the credit or exemption to appear on the property tax statement. July 1 of the current assessment year is the deadline for filing for the Homestead Credit, 65 year or older Homestead Exemption, and Military Exemption for the current assessment year. If the July 1 deadline is missed, the exemption or credit will not be applicable until the next assessment year.
As an example, if a property owner applied for the homestead credit on July 2, 2023, they have missed the July 1 deadline for assessment year 2023. The property owner is now applying for the homestead credit for assessment year 2024. The property owner will not receive a property tax statement for levies against the 2024 taxable value until Aug or Sept 2025.
You can apply for Homestead & Military exemptions on-line by accessing your parcel on our Beacon site at www.winneshiek.us . Find the parcel, scroll down towards the bottom of your parcel data page until you find the appropriate application. Fill in the form, sign it, review, and submit your application.