Informational Property Tax Statements for Black Hawk County Mailed Beginning March 12
Black Hawk County property owners will receive mailings this week from the County Auditor’s Office containing important information about budget hearings and property taxes.
A 2023 law change requires county auditors to mail these statements to taxpayers by March 15, as outlined in Iowa Code Section 24.2A. The statement provides state-mandated details on proposed local government budgets and property tax rates for taxes payable in September 2025 and March 2026. Property owners expecting a tax bill in July, should receive this mailing.
Key Points About the Mailing:
- This is NOT a property tax bill. It is an informational notice on proposed city, school district, and county budgets.
- Smaller taxing authorities (e.g., community colleges, the assessor’s office, townships, and agricultural extension services) are not included in the statement.
- The purpose is to inform taxpayers before public budget hearings take place. The notice includes hearing dates, times, and locations, allowing taxpayers to provide input before budgets are finalized. Budgets may be lowered but not increased after the hearings.
- The statement shows the estimated tax impact of the proposed city, school, and county tax rates on a $100,000 residential property and a $300,000 commercial property. However, the actual impact may vary. The examples assume a 10% increase in assessed value, but most Black Hawk County properties did not see an increase in 2024.
- Owners of multiple properties may receive separate mailings if their properties fall within different tax districts.
The Iowa Department of Management offers guidance on understanding the property tax mailing at: https://dom.iowa.gov/citizen-property-tax-guide.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
- The Black Hawk County Auditor's office has provided a Frequently Asked Questions Document regarding the Tax Statements. You can find that document here.
- Tim Jamison, Systems/Real Estate Tax Manager, gave a presentation at the March 11 Board of Supervisors meeting to help the public understand how to read the Tax Information Statement. You can find his presentation on YouTube starting at 4:59. Here’s the link: Board Meeting.
- The Iowa Department of Management is providing information about how to interpret the property tax mailing through its website at https://dom.iowa.gov/citizen-property-tax-guide.
For further information, contact the Black Hawk County Auditor’s Office at (319) 833-3058.