Welcome to the new website for Clayton County! More features available soon.

Credits & Exemptions

View a list of credits and exemptions

Iowa law provides for a number of exemptions and credits. All forms for the following exemptions and credits are available in our office. Questions should be directed to the Assessor’s Office.

Homestead Tax Exemption

To qualify for the credit, the property owner must be a resident of Iowa and occupy the property on July 1 and for at least six months of every year. To qualify for the exemption, the property owner must be 65 years old or older on January 1 of the year they are applying for. New applications for homestead tax credit and exemption are to be filed with the Assessor on or before July 1 of the year the credit is first claimed. Once a person qualifies, the credit and/or exemption continues until the property is sold or until the owner no longer qualifies.

The credit reduces the value on which taxes are calculated by a maximum of $4,850.

For assessment years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, the exemption is for $6,500 of taxable value.

Deadline: July 1
Download: Application Form
Time Period: Permanent
Iowa Code: Chapter 425

Military Tax Credit

Qualification is determined based on residency, type of discharge and time served. Military veterans including Iowa National Guard and United States Reservists may qualify. Contact the County Assessors' Office for additional information. Applications must be made with the Assessor on or before July 1 of the year the exemption is first claimed. The exemption remains in effect until the property owner is no longer eligible.

Deadline: July 1
Download: Application Form
Time Period: Permanent
Iowa Code: Chapter 426A

Family Farm Tax Credit

This is a tax credit on agricultural tracts of land 10 acres or more that are farmed by the owner or immediate family members (this includes brothers/sisters, sons/daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, uncles/aunts, nephews/nieces.) This credit needs to be filed by November 1st at the Assessor's office. It only needs to be filed once unless the ownership or the person actively engaged in farming changes.

Deadline: November 1
Download: Application Form
Time Period: Permanent
Iowa Code: Chapter 425A

Barn Preservation

Deadline: February 1
Download: Application Form

Cattle Facilities

Exemption is based on the actual value added to owner-operated cattle facilities, including small or medium-sized feedlots, either by new construction or by the retrofitting of existing facilities.

Deadline: February 1
Download: Application Form
Time Period: 5 Years

Disabled Veteran

Deadline: July 1
Download: Application Form
Time Period: Permanent

Forest/Fruit Tree Reservations

Deadline: February 1
Download: Application Form
Time Period: Permanent

Geothermal

Deadline: February 1
Download: Application Form

Historic Property

Deadline: February 1
Download: Application Form
Time Period: 4/4 Years

Impoundment Structures

The impoundment must contain at least 18 acre-feet of water, be outside of a city limits and be used for agricultural purposes to qualify for exemption.

Deadline: February 1
Download: Application Form
Time Period: Annual

Industrial Partial 427B

Property must be an industrial warehouse, distribution center or research facility to qualify.

Deadline: February 1
Download: Application Form
Time Period: 5 Years

Mobile Home Park Storm Shelter

Deadline: February 1
Download: Application Form
Time Period: Permanent

Native Prairie or Wetlands

The first annual application shall be accompanied by a certificate from the Department of Natural Resources stating that the land is native prairie or protected wetland.

Deadline: February 1
Download: Application Form
Time Period: Annual
Iowa Code: 427.1(23)

Natural Conservation or Wildlife Areas

Deadline: February 1
Download: Application Form
Time Period: Annual

Open Prairie

Deadline: February 1
Time Period: Annual

Pollution Control

The application for pollution control or recycling property shall be accompanied by a certificate from the environmental protection division of the Iowa DNR.

Deadline: February 1
Download: Application Form
Time Period: Permanent
Iowa Code: 427.1(19)

Religious, Literary, and Charitable Societies

Deadline: February 1
Download: Application Form
Time Period: Permanent
Iowa Code: 427.1(14)

Urban Revitalization

Qualifying structures located in a Urban Revitalization District will receive an exemption based upon the schedule set up by each city council.

Deadline: February 1
Time Period: By Ordinance

Wildlife Habitat

Agricultural landowners may designate not more than two acres of the land for use as a wildlife habitat. The Iowa DNR shall certify the designated land as a wildlife habitat.

Deadline: February 1
Download: Application Form
Time Period: Annual