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1. Where can I get the latest information or tax statement for my property?

To find the latest information or tax statement for the property, complete a property search on the Beacon - Story County, IA / City of Ames website.

After finding your property, a copy of the current Tax Statement can be located under the section Tax History. On the right hand side click on the Tax Statement/Receipt with the desired year.

Questions can also be directed to the office at 515.382.7330.

2. When are my property tax payments due?

Property tax payments are due in two installments.  The 1st installment is due September 1st with late interest charged beginning October 1st.  The 2nd installment is due March 1st with late interest charged beginning April 1st.

When the last day of the month is a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, the deadline for remitting tax payments without late interest or additional late interest for delinquent installments is extended to include the first business day of the following month.

Postmark date accepted on property tax payments. (Excludes property taxes sold at Tax Sale)

3. Whom should I contact if my mailing address changes or I have a name change?

Mailing Address changes can be made by submitting a Property Tax Change of Address to the County Auditor.

Legal Name Changes and other changes to property title require that proper legal documentation be prepared and submitted to the County Recorder’s Office.

4. I just purchased this property and I am now being told that I am responsible for the full years taxes, how can this be?

In a typical real estate transaction, taxes are prorated in the closing process and the buyer is either given credit for the seller's portion or the seller pays the taxes directly to the County Treasurer as part of the property sale. Details of how the taxes were handled should be on the settlement statement provided at the closing of your real estate transaction. This can be reviewed with the realtor or the attorney who handled the transfer documents.

5. What should I do if I receive a tax statement on a home I recently sold? Am I responsible for the taxes on the sold property?

The tax statement can be forwarded to the new owners, or return the statement to the County Treasurer with a note indicating ownership has changed.

In a typical real estate transaction, taxes are prorated and the buyer is either given credit for the seller's portion or the seller pays the taxes directly to the County Treasurer as part of the property sale. Details of how the taxes were handled should be on the settlement statement provided at the closing time of your real estate transaction. Contact the realtor or the attorney who handled the transaction to confirm.

Real estate taxes are always a year behind. For instance: the taxes due in September and March cover the time period from July 1 – June 30 of the previous year.

6. What happens if my taxes are not paid by the due date?

Late interest begins on October 1st for the first half and April 1st for the second half payments. Interest accrues on the first day of each month if a tax payment is not paid before the due date. The interest accrues at the rate of 1.5% per month (rounded to the nearest dollar) with a minimum of one dollar. Late interest is added to the unpaid balance of your property taxes.

When the last day of the month is a Saturday, Sunday, or a holiday, the deadline for remitting tax payments without late interest or additional late interest for delinquent installments is extended to include the first business day of the following month.

Taxes that remain unpaid could be subject to tax sale. Once the taxes are sold at tax sale, they are paid by another party. A tax lien is then placed on the property and if it is not redeemed within the time specified by Iowa law, the tax sale certificate holder may initiate proceedings to obtain a tax deed on the property.

If you are mailing your tax payment it is very important that it is at the post office in time for a proper 30th or 31st postmark, which is acceptable.

7. Why am I getting this tax statement when my mortgage company pays my taxes or I set up an auto-pay option??

Pursuant to Iowa law, the County Treasurer is required to mail a tax statement to the titleholder of record on all parcels in the County. Third party payers such as mortgage companies or escrow companies request tax statements from the County Treasurer if they are responsible for paying your taxes. If your mortgage/escrow company is required to pay your taxes, you should retain the tax statement sent to you for income tax purposes.

If you are unsure if the mortgage/escrow company is responsible for the property taxes please reach out to them directly to confirm.

8. Why were special assessment statements mailed to me?

Special assessments are taxes due for public improvements such as the paving of streets, installation of new sewer systems, drainage systems, or sidewalks. Special assessments may also be assessed for delinquent water or solid waste/recycling bills. Counties may send a separate tax statement for special assessments due against a property. The special assessment notice mailed indicates the type of special assessment and how much is owed. In most instances special assessments are due with the first installment of property tax in September.

The rates or charges for the services of sewer systems, sewage treatment, solid waste collection, water, disposal, storm water drainage systems, city utility or enterprise charges are a lien on the property receiving services once they are certified to the County Treasurer if they are not paid to the city as provided by ordinance of city council or resolution of the trustees. A lien on the property has equal precedence with ordinary taxes and may be certified to the County Treasurer and collected in the same manner as taxes. This lien is not divested by a judicial sale.  For more information on this, please refer to Iowa Code 384.67, 384.84, 362.2(2), 331.553.4

Notice: Mortgage or escrow Companies are not responsible or liable to cover special assessments. Confirm with your Mortgage/Escrow company to confirm who will be responsible.

9. What is tax suspension? Can my property taxes be suspended?

Tax suspension means that you will not have to pay your property taxes until the property is sold or transferred to another person.

Your property taxes may be suspended if: You get either Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or
State Supplementary Assistance (SSA), or You live in a nursing home and the
Department of Human Services is paying for all or part of the cost for your
care. You will not have to pay a penalty while your taxes are suspended. The
suspended taxes will need to be paid when the property is sold or transferred.
If you want to, you still can pay your taxes while they are suspended. The
County Board of Supervisors run the tax suspension program. You must give to
the County Board of Supervisors proof that you qualify for property tax
suspension. You do this in the county where your property is located.

10. Is there any type of credit or help available for elderly, disabled, or low-income property owners?

. Applications are available from January through May each year at the County Treasurer's Office.

If you are totally disabled or 65 years of age or older and your total household income is less than the amount set by the State of Iowa, you may qualify for tax relief under the provisions of Iowa Code Section 425.16. Applications are available from January 2 through June 1 each year online or at the Treasurer's Office. Tax credits and exemptions may be reduced pursuant to Iowa Code Section 25B.7. Contact your County Treasurer for further information or to obtain the application forms.

11. Is there any type of credit or help available for low-income mobile home or manufactured home property owners?

If you are 23 years of age or older and your total household income is less than the amount set by the State of Iowa, you may qualify for tax relief under the provisions of Iowa Code Section 435.22. Applications are available from January 2 through June 1 each year at the Treasurer's Office or can be downloaded from the Property Tax Forms. Tax credits and exemptions may be reduced pursuant to Iowa Code Section 25B.7. Contact the County Treasurer's office for further information or to obtain the application forms.

12. What forms of payment are accepted?

We accept cash, checks (out-of-state is acceptable), money orders, cashiers’ checks, and bank drafts. Debit Card transactions with a non-refundable $2.00 service delivery fee. We also accept credit cards (Master Card, Discover, and Visa) with a non-refundable 2.25% service delivery fee. Online E-Check is accepted with a non-refundable $0.25 service delivery fee. 

Service Delivery fees are not set or retained by the county and are non-negotiable.

$20.00 Service fee assessed on any Returned Payments.