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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Carroll County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Carroll County, IA. Rates, due dates, exemptions, and how it affects your monthly payment.

10 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
1-2% of assessed value (varies by taxing district combination)
1st Due
Sep 30
2nd Due
Mar 31
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Carroll County, Iowa operates under the state's property tax system to fund essential local services including schools, county government, cities, townships, and special districts. Property owners pay taxes based on their property's assessed value multiplied by the applicable tax rate, which varies by location within the county depending on the specific taxing districts that serve each property.

The effective property tax rates in Carroll County typically range from approximately 1% to 2% of assessed value, though this varies significantly based on your specific location and the combination of taxing districts that apply to your property. These districts can include school districts, city levies, township assessments, and special purpose districts. Property assessments are conducted regularly by the Carroll County Assessor's office, with January 1st serving as the effective date for current year assessments.

Actual tax bills depend not only on property values but also on the specific combination of taxing jurisdictions where your property is located. Rural properties may have different rate structures than urban properties, and various tax credits are available to qualifying property owners, though these typically require annual application and are not automatically applied.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate (per $1,000)Description
Rural Base Rate$7.58608Base rural property tax rate for FY2026
Rural Additional$3.22257Additional rural assessments and levies
Rural Total$10.80865Combined rural rate for latest available data
Residential RateVaries by districtDiffers from rural; varies by specific location

Note: The most recent available rate data is for FY2026 with a combined rate of 4.36351 mills reported for general county purposes. Tax rates vary significantly by taxing district within Carroll County, including differences between rural and residential areas, school district boundaries, city limits, and special assessment districts. Contact the Carroll County Assessor's office for specific rates applicable to your property location.

Rates shown are subject to annual changes based on budget requirements of each taxing authority and may include additional assessments for bonds, emergency services, or other special purposes.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Carroll County, property taxes are due in two installments:

First Installment
Sep 30
Delinquent after Dec 10
Second Installment
Mar 31
Delinquent after Apr 10
Pro tip: If you pay through mortgage escrow, your lender splits these payments across your monthly mortgage. If you pay directly, set calendar reminders to avoid late penalties.
Section 4

Supplemental Tax Bills

Supplemental taxes in Carroll County are additional property tax assessments that occur when there are changes to property ownership, value, or use during the tax year. The most common triggers include new construction, major improvements, changes in property use classification, or corrections to assessments discovered after the regular assessment date.

When supplemental taxes are levied, they are calculated based on the difference between the previous assessed value and the new assessed value, multiplied by the applicable tax rate for the remaining portion of the tax year. For example, if a property improvement completed in July increases the assessed value by $50,000, the supplemental tax would be calculated on that $50,000 increase for the remaining months of the tax year.

Supplemental tax bills are typically issued separately from regular property tax bills and have their own payment due dates. Property owners receive notice of supplemental assessments and have the right to appeal these assessments through the same process as regular property tax appeals. These additional taxes become part of the property's overall tax obligation and may affect escrow account calculations for mortgaged properties.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Property Value

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Applicable Tax Rate: $10.81 per $1,000 (rural example)
  • Gross Annual Tax: $3,243
  • Less Homestead Credit (if qualified): -$500 (estimated)
  • Net Annual Tax: $2,743
  • Monthly Payment: $229

Example 2: $600,000 Property Value

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Applicable Tax Rate: $10.81 per $1,000 (rural example)
  • Gross Annual Tax: $6,486
  • Less Homestead Credit (if qualified): -$500 (estimated)
  • Net Annual Tax: $5,986
  • Monthly Payment: $499

Example 3: $1,000,000 Property Value

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Applicable Tax Rate: $10.81 per $1,000 (rural example)
  • Gross Annual Tax: $10,810
  • Less Homestead Credit (if qualified): -$500 (estimated)
  • Net Annual Tax: $10,310
  • Monthly Payment: $859

Note: These examples use estimated rural tax rates and Homestead Credit amounts. Actual rates vary by specific location within Carroll County. Tax credits shown require annual application and are not automatically applied. Contact the Carroll County Treasurer's office for rates specific to your property's taxing districts.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Carroll County require borrowers to maintain an escrow account to ensure property taxes are paid on time. The lender collects monthly payments along with your mortgage payment and holds these funds in escrow until tax payments are due. Since Carroll County property taxes are due January 1st annually, lenders typically pay the full annual amount by the due date to avoid penalties.

Lenders are required to provide annual escrow statements showing deposits, payments made on your behalf, and account balances. If your property taxes increase due to reassessment or rate changes, your lender may adjust your monthly escrow payment and may require you to make up any shortage over 12 months or immediately, depending on the shortage amount.

Property owners with escrow accounts should verify that their lender has current information about available tax credits, as lenders may not automatically apply for credits like the Homestead Credit on your behalf. You may need to apply for these credits directly with the Carroll County Assessor's office and provide documentation to your lender. It's important to review your annual tax bills even when paid through escrow to ensure accuracy and proper application of any credits.

How HonestCasa Helps
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Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are Carroll County property taxes due for the current fiscal year? A: Property taxes are due January 1st each year. Late payments incur penalties and interest charges.

Q: What Homestead Credit is available and how do I apply? A: The Homestead Credit caps assessment increases and reduces tax liability for qualifying owner-occupied homes. You must file an application between January 1 and December 31 annually - it is not automatic. Contact the Carroll County Assessor's office for current application forms and eligibility requirements.

Q: What other tax credits require application in Carroll County? A: Military Exemption is available for qualifying veterans and must be filed between January 1 and December 31. Senior citizen credits may also be available. All credits require annual application and documentation - none are applied automatically.

Q: How does the Homestead Credit work? A: The Homestead Credit primarily limits how much your home's assessed value can increase each year (typically capping increases), rather than reducing the market value. It provides tax relief by controlling assessment growth over time and requires annual filing to maintain eligibility.

Q: When can I appeal my property assessment? A: Property owners may request an informal review of their assessment with the Assessor between April 2-25 (inclusive). January 1st is the effective date of current year assessments.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Contact the Carroll County Treasurer's office for current online payment options. Service fees typically apply for credit card payments.

Q: What happens if I pay my property taxes late? A: Late payments after January 1st incur penalties and interest charges. Continued non-payment can eventually result in tax sale proceedings.

Q: Why do tax rates vary within Carroll County? A: Tax rates differ based on the specific combination of taxing districts serving your property, including school districts, city boundaries, townships, and special assessment districts. Rural and urban properties often have different rate structures.

Q: How are supplemental taxes handled if I have an escrow account? A: Supplemental tax bills are typically sent directly to property owners and may not be automatically paid by your lender. You may need to pay these separately and notify your lender for potential escrow adjustments.

Q: When do payments made after December settlement get applied? A: According to county policy, payments made after each year's December settlement are applied to the following year's tax charges.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

Every fact in this guide is sourced from official county, state, and federal documents.

01
Local Government Property Valuation Systemcarrollcountyiowa.gov
02
Board of Supervisors Office, Carroll, Iowacarrollcountyiowa.gov
03
Tax Doc
PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX LEVY Fiscal Year July 1, 2024carrollcountyiowa.gov
04
County
Important Dates - Carroll County IAcarrollcountyiowa.gov
05
Tax Doc
Property Tax Reformlegis.iowa.gov
06
County
Dates to Remember - Carroll County IAcarrollcountyiowa.gov
07
County
Carroll County Real Estate Taxesnacdashboard.nara.gov
08
County
carroll county general assistance program - ordinance no. 19carrollcountyiowa.gov
09
County
Duties - Carroll County IAcarrollcountyiowa.gov
10
Real Property Information - Auditorauditor.carrollcounty08.us
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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