This week, you have likely received, or will soon receive, a public hearing notice about the proposed budgets for your city, county, and school district.
Local governments are required to send these notices, but they are poorly designed and leave many taxpayers confused and frustrated. The statements are vague and do not indicate the potential increase to a taxpayer’s property tax bill.
To make it easier to understand, ITR created a property tax calculator.
This calculator is for residential property only and not for agricultural or commercial properties. It provides an estimate and does not include any credits or exemptions. Your exact bill may vary from this estimate.
Public hearings give local elected officials a chance to explain why they need to increase your tax bill and take more of your hard-earned money. But more importantly, it’s your chance to tell them how a tax increase would affect your household budget. After all, your budget should be what matters most!
As Americans, it’s our duty to participate and ask questions of our government.
That’s why we’re urging all Iowans who care about their property tax burden to attend and speak at their city, county, and school budget hearings.
Your feedback can have real effects and might help control your property tax bill. Even just a few people speaking up can change local spending and taxes. So, it’s crucial for you and your neighbors to show up and share how property tax increases impact your lives.
Download our Property Tax Public Hearing Guide for a template of what to say when you attend your public budget hearing.
