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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Monona County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Monona 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
1.18% effective rate, varies by taxing district and location within county
1st Due
Sep 30
2nd Due
Mar 31
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Monona County, Iowa operates under the state's property tax system to fund essential local services including schools, roads, law enforcement, and county operations. Property owners in Monona County pay an effective tax rate of approximately 1.18% of their property's assessed fair market value, with the median property tax being $843 annually for homes valued at the median of $71,300. This places Monona County at a moderate level compared to other Iowa counties, ranking 1633rd out of 3,143 counties for property taxes as a percentage of median income.

The actual tax rate you pay varies significantly depending on your specific location within Monona County due to different combinations of special taxing districts, including school districts, rural service areas, and municipal boundaries. For the 2025-2026 levy year, proposed property taxes assume a 10% increase in property values compared to the current year. The final tax rates are determined by the county auditor based on assessed values and approved local government budgets, with rates finalized after official approval of municipal and school district budgets.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRateDescription
General Basic Levy3.50000 per $1,000Core county services and operations
General Supplemental Levy2.00330 per $1,000Additional county funding needs
Rural Service Levy3.00000 per $1,000Rural area services (varies by location)
School District LevyVariesLocal school district funding (varies by district)
Municipal LevyVariesCity services (if within city limits)
Special AssessmentsVariesLocal improvement districts, bonds

Rates shown are for FY 2025-2026 levy year and represent base county levies. Total effective rates range from approximately 10-15 per $1,000 of assessed value depending on your specific taxing district combination. Rural properties typically pay the rural service levy while urban properties pay municipal levies instead.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Monona 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 Monona County are additional property tax bills issued when there are changes to property ownership, new construction, or significant improvements that weren't included in the regular assessment cycle. These taxes are calculated based on the difference between the old and new assessed values, prorated for the portion of the tax year affected by the change.

For example, if you complete a $50,000 home addition in March and the regular assessment was completed in January before the improvement, you would receive a supplemental tax bill covering April through the end of the fiscal year. The supplemental tax would be calculated as: ($50,000 × applicable tax rate × remaining months in fiscal year ÷ 12 months). This ensures that all property improvements contribute their fair share to local services for the entire period they benefit from those services.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Homestead Credit Applied: -$4,850 (requires application)
  • Net Taxable Value: $295,150
  • Tax Rate: 12.5 per $1,000 (example district)
  • Annual Tax: $3,689
  • Monthly Escrow: $307

Example 2: $600,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Homestead Credit Applied: -$4,850 (requires application)
  • Net Taxable Value: $595,150
  • Tax Rate: 12.5 per $1,000 (example district)
  • Annual Tax: $7,439
  • Monthly Escrow: $620

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Homestead Credit Applied: -$4,850 (requires application)
  • Net Taxable Value: $995,150
  • Tax Rate: 12.5 per $1,000 (example district)
  • Annual Tax: $12,439
  • Monthly Escrow: $1,037

Note: All tax credits require separate application and are not automatically applied. Homestead credits also cap annual assessment increases. Actual rates vary by specific taxing district location.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders in Monona County require property tax escrow accounts, where you pay 1/12 of your estimated annual property tax bill with each monthly mortgage payment. Your lender collects these funds and pays your property taxes directly to Monona County when they become due on November 30th each year. Lenders typically maintain a cushion in your escrow account to cover potential tax increases and are required to provide annual escrow analysis statements showing account activity.

If your property taxes increase or decrease significantly, your lender will adjust your monthly escrow payment accordingly and may require you to make up any shortage over 12 months or refund any surplus over $50. You can request an escrow analysis at any time and should verify that your lender has received proper tax bills from Monona County. Property owners without mortgages or those who have waived escrow requirements are responsible for making direct payments to the county by the November 30th deadline.

How HonestCasa Helps
  • Understand whether your escrow is set correctly
  • See how rising taxes will change your monthly payment
  • Plan ahead instead of being surprised by "shortage" letters
Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Monona County? A: Property taxes for the current fiscal year are due by November 30, 2025. Delinquent taxes after this date may incur penalties and interest charges.

Q: What tax credits are available and how do I apply? A: Available tax credits include homestead credit, military exemptions, and disability credits. All credits require separate application to the Monona County Assessor's Office and are not automatically applied to your property.

Q: How does the homestead credit work? A: The homestead credit provides tax relief for owner-occupied residential properties and caps annual assessment increases. You must file an application with the County Assessor's Office, and the credit must be renewed periodically. It reduces your tax bill, not your property's assessed value.

Q: How often are properties assessed in Monona County? A: Properties are typically reassessed every two years, though the county assessor may conduct annual reviews for properties that have changed significantly due to improvements or market conditions.

Q: How do I appeal my property assessment? A: Assessment appeals must be filed with the Monona County Board of Review during their designated meeting period, typically in April-May. Contact the County Assessor's Office for specific deadlines and required documentation.

Q: What are the penalties for late payment? A: Delinquent taxes after November 30th accrue interest and penalties. Contact the Monona County Treasurer's Office for specific penalty rates and payment arrangements.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Check with the Monona County Treasurer's Office for available online payment options and accepted payment methods for property tax bills.

Q: Why do tax rates vary within Monona County? A: Different areas of the county are served by different combinations of school districts, municipalities, and special service districts, each with their own approved levy rates that are combined to determine your total property tax rate.

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 Systemmononacountyiowa.gov
02
Tax Doc
Property Tax - Treasurer's Officemononacountyiowa.gov
03
$34.29legis.iowa.gov
04
County
Monona County Iowa Property Taxes - 2025tax-rates.org
05
County
Property Tax - Treasurer’s Office - Monona County, IAmononacountyiowa.gov
06
County
Monona County Property Records | Owners, Deeds, Permitsiowa.propertychecker.com
07
Tax Doc
Property Tax Credits - Treasurermononacountyiowa.gov
08
ordinance no. 3mononacountyiowa.gov
09
Tax Doc
Homestead Tax Credit and Exemption | Department of Revenuerevenue.iowa.gov
10
County
MONONA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETINGmononacountyiowa.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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