Iowa Property Tax Exemptions for Seniors

Iowa property tax exemptions for seniors: what you get, who qualifies and how to apply, from the official source.

Iowa has 297,998 owner households headed by someone 65 or older (31.6% of owners; median home year built 1972). The statewide senior exemption below is what those owners typically claim through their county office.

Verified Iowa details: What you get: An additional homestead exemption of $6,500 of taxable value, on top of the regular 10% homestead exemption. Who qualifies: Homeowners who are 65 or older on or before January 1 of the assessment year. How to apply: Claim it with your city or county assessor. Once granted it continues without refiling.

How neighbors handle this

• Illinois: Reduces equalized assessed value by up to $8,000 in Cook County and counties next to Cook, or $5,000 elsewhere, for owners 65 or older.

Neighbor figures are from the same verified official sources we cite on each page. Always confirm with the Iowa county office before filing.

For context, Iowa’s main statewide homeowner program is the Homestead Tax Credit and Exemption: A homestead tax credit for owner-occupants, plus an additional exemption for owners 65 or older. Seniors usually file the same way as other owners unless the rows above say otherwise: Apply with your city or county assessor by July 1.

Population and housing figures: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024 5-year (state FIPS 19). Exemption figures checked against the official page on 2026-11-04.

What you get

An additional homestead exemption of $6,500 of taxable value, on top of the regular 10% homestead exemption.

Who qualifies

Homeowners who are 65 or older on or before January 1 of the assessment year.

How to apply

Claim it with your city or county assessor. Once granted it continues without refiling.

Source: Iowa Department of Revenue. Figures checked against the official page on 2026-11-04.

See also: Iowa overview · Seniors exemptions in other states · Savings calculator · Iowa deadline

What property tax exemptions are there for seniors in Iowa?

An additional homestead exemption of $6,500 of taxable value, on top of the regular 10% homestead exemption.

How do seniors apply in Iowa?

Claim it with your city or county assessor. Once granted it continues without refiling.