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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Jefferson County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Jefferson 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
$1.43 per $100 of assessed value (base county rate - varies by district with city and school additions)
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Jefferson County, Iowa operates under a property tax system that funds essential local services including schools, county operations, cities, and various special districts. Property taxes are the primary revenue source for these local government services, with the tax rate varying by location within the county depending on which taxing districts serve your property.

For the 2024-2025 fiscal year, Jefferson County has set a property tax rate of $1.43 per $100 of assessed value, representing an increase from the previous rate of $1.3431. However, your actual effective tax rate will depend on your specific location within the county, as different areas are served by different school districts, city boundaries, and special taxing districts such as emergency services, library districts, or other local authorities. Property owners should expect their actual rate to vary from this base county rate depending on these local district assessments.

The county uses a market value assessment system where properties are assessed at their fair market value, with various tax credits available to qualifying property owners to help reduce their final tax burden. These credits require application and are not automatically applied to your property tax bill.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate (per $100)Description
County General FundVariableBasic county services, roads, administration
School DistrictsVariableLocal school district operations and bonds
City/MunicipalVariableCity services (if within city limits)
Emergency ServicesVariableFire, ambulance, emergency management
Additional LeviesVariableSpecial assessments, bonds, other districts
Total Jefferson County Rate$1.43Base rate for FY 2024-2025

Note: This $1.43 rate applies to Jefferson County's portion of property taxes for fiscal year 2024-2025. Your actual total tax rate will be higher when combined with school district, municipal, and special district rates that vary by location within the county. Properties in different areas of Jefferson County may have significantly different total effective rates depending on which taxing jurisdictions serve that location.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

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

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 Jefferson County are additional property tax assessments that occur outside the regular annual billing cycle. These are typically triggered by changes in property ownership, new construction, or improvements that increase a property's assessed value after the annual assessment has been completed.

When supplemental taxes are issued, they are calculated based on the difference between the old assessed value and the new assessed value, multiplied by the current tax rate, and prorated for the portion of the tax year remaining. For example, if you complete a home addition worth $50,000 in January and the annual assessment was already completed, you would receive a supplemental tax bill for the increased assessment covering the remaining months of that tax year.

Property owners typically receive supplemental tax bills within 30-60 days of the triggering event. These bills have separate due dates from regular property tax payments and should be paid promptly to avoid penalties and interest charges.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Market Value: $300,000
  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Less Homestead Credit (if applied): Variable
  • Net Taxable Value: ~$300,000
  • Annual Tax ($1.43 base rate): $4,290
  • Monthly Escrow: $357

Example 2: $600,000 Home

  • Market Value: $600,000
  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Less Homestead Credit (if applied): Variable
  • Net Taxable Value: ~$600,000
  • Annual Tax ($1.43 base rate): $8,580
  • Monthly Escrow: $715

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Market Value: $1,000,000
  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Less Homestead Credit (if applied): Variable
  • Net Taxable Value: ~$1,000,000
  • Annual Tax ($1.43 base rate): $14,300
  • Monthly Escrow: $1,192

Note: These examples use only the Jefferson County base rate of $1.43. Actual tax bills will be significantly higher when school district, municipal, and special district taxes are added. Tax credits require separate applications and are not automatic. Contact the Jefferson County Assessor's office for specific credit amounts and application requirements.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Jefferson County require property tax escrow accounts to ensure timely payment of property taxes. Your lender collects a portion of your estimated annual property tax bill with each monthly mortgage payment, typically one-twelfth of the annual amount, and holds these funds in an escrow account.

Jefferson County property taxes are due twice yearly in September and March. Your mortgage servicer will pay these bills directly from your escrow account when they become due. Lenders are required to conduct an annual escrow analysis to ensure adequate funds are being collected, and they may adjust your monthly escrow payment if property taxes increase or decrease significantly.

If you pay your mortgage off or don't have an escrow account, you become responsible for making direct payments to Jefferson County by the September and March due dates. Property owners should verify their tax amounts and due dates annually, as changes in assessed value or tax rates can significantly impact the payment amount. You can typically verify your tax information through the Jefferson County Assessor's or Treasurer's office.

How HonestCasa Helps
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Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Jefferson County for the current fiscal year? A: Property taxes are due semi-annually in September and March. If taxes remain unpaid by April 1st, the property may be subject to tax sale proceedings in June.

Q: What tax credits are available and do I need to apply? A: Jefferson County offers several tax credits including Homestead Tax Credit, Military Tax Exemption, and Pollution Control Exemption. All credits require separate applications and are NOT automatically applied. Contact the Jefferson County Assessor at 641-472-3454 for application forms and deadlines.

Q: How does the Homestead Credit work? A: The Homestead Credit does not reduce your property's market value. Instead, it typically limits annual assessment increases and provides tax relief. You must file an application with the county assessor's office, and this credit is not automatic even if you previously qualified.

Q: How often are properties reassessed in Jefferson County? A: Iowa requires properties to be assessed annually. The Jefferson County Assessor's office conducts assessments each year with values typically reflecting market conditions as of January 1st for that tax year.

Q: What penalties apply for late payment? A: A 1.5% penalty is assessed per month after the due date until the tax sale. Additional interest and costs may apply if taxes remain unpaid through the June tax sale period.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Contact the Jefferson County Treasurer's office at 641-472-4012 to inquire about online payment options and accepted payment methods for current tax bills.

Q: How do I appeal my property assessment? A: Assessment appeals must be filed with the Jefferson County Board of Review during the specified appeal period, typically in April-May. Contact the Jefferson County Assessor's office for specific deadlines and appeal procedures.

Q: Why did my tax bill increase even though tax rates stayed the same? A: Tax bills can increase due to higher assessed values, new special district assessments, school bond measures, or loss of previously applied tax credits. Your total rate includes multiple taxing jurisdictions beyond just the county rate.

Q: What if I live in a city within Jefferson County? A: City residents pay additional municipal taxes on top of county taxes. Your total tax rate will include city services, which varies by municipality. Contact your city hall for specific municipal tax information.

Q: How do special districts affect my tax bill? A: Special districts for services like libraries, emergency services, or drainage districts add separate line items to your tax bill. These rates vary by location within Jefferson County depending on which districts serve your property.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

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

01
Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Budget Memojeffersoncountytn.gov
02
Tax Doc
PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX LEVY Fiscal Year July 1, 2024jeffersoncounty.iowa.gov
03
April 1, 2025 Mr. Mike Sullivan Land Quality Bureau Iowa ...programs.iowadnr.gov
04
County
Treasurer's Office - Jefferson County Iowa Governmentjeffersoncounty.iowa.gov
05
Tax Doc
How Do I Pay Property Taxes?iowa.gov
06
Tax Doc
Property Taxfloydco.iowa.gov
07
County
Questions - Jefferson County Iowa Governmentjeffersoncounty.iowa.gov
08
Official Websiteco.greene.ia.us
09
County
Jefferson County Assessorjeffersoncounty.iowa.gov
10
County
JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS' ...jeffersoncounty.iowa.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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