Property Owner's Legal Responsibility

It is your legal responsibility to report to the Assessor changes or improvements to your real estate.  441.24 (1) Code of Iowa provides:

If a person refuses to furnish the verified statements required in connection with the assessment of property by the assessor, or to list the corporation's or person's property, the director of revenue and finance or assessor, as the case may be, shall proceed to list and assess the property according to the best information obtainable and shall add to the taxable valuation one hundred percent thereof, which valuation and penalty shall be separately shown, and shall constitute the assessment; and if the valuation of the property is changed by a board of review or on appeal from a board of review, a like penalty shall be added to the valuation thus fixed.

There are many things you should report to your local assessor like:

• New buildings
• Buildings removed, torn down or damaged by fire or flood
• Remodeling (interior and exterior)
• Additions to house or buildings
• New furnace / central air
• Mobile homes
• Fireplaces
• Basement or attic finish
• Decks, patios, and garages

Please call your local assessor's office to report any changes to your property.  Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated.