Iowa Property Taxes at 65 in 2026: Cut Your Des Moines Bill Fast

If you are 65 or older and own a home in Central Iowa, the new Iowa homestead exemption can lower your property tax bill in 2026 while you stay in the right home for this next chapter. As a Des Moines Realtor® and SRES® serving West Des Moines, Urbandale, Waukee, Ankeny, Johnston, and Grimes, I help seniors and adult children understand how the 65+ homestead exemption and Homestead Credit work together before they decide whether to stay, downsize, or move closer to family.

Retirement is coming. Taxes are rising.
Here’s how to protect your budget before July 1.

I’m Sarah Ingles | Smart Move Des Moines, powered by CHASE. Collective Real Estate. I lead with clarity, compassion, and expert insight—especially for seniors and adult children navigating big decisions.

What Changed for Iowa Homeowners 65+

In 2023, Iowa created a new homestead tax exemption for homeowners 65 and older, and it stacks on top of the existing Homestead Credit. For qualifying seniors, the law reduces the taxable value of your primary home by a set amount each year while you remain eligible.

For the 2023 assessment, the 65+ exemption reduced taxable value by $3,250; for 2024 and beyond, it reduces taxable value by $6,500. This is in addition to the regular Homestead Credit, which can reduce taxable value by up to about $4,850, so you are not choosing one or the other.

Bottom line: you can use both the traditional Homestead Credit and the 65+ exemption together if you qualify.

Who Qualifies for the 65+ Homestead Exemption in Central Iowa

To qualify for the 65+ homestead exemption, you must be 65 or older on or before January 1 of the assessment year. You must also own and live in the home as your primary residence, file as an Iowa resident for income tax purposes, and live in the home at least six months each year.

For my clients in Des Moines, West Des Moines (50265), Urbandale (50322), Waukee (50263), Ankeny, Johnston, and Grimes, “primary residence” generally means the address where you vote, receive mail, and spend most of the year. If you split time—for example, winters in Arizona—you can still qualify if Iowa is your primary home, you meet the six‑month test, and you satisfy the residency rules.

Special situations like military service, nursing home or assisted‑living stays, and certain medical circumstances may still qualify, so it is always worth a quick review with your assessor or trusted advisor. When I meet with seniors and adult children, we walk through how their living situation fits the rules before we decide on a move or downsizing plan.

How to Apply Before the July 1 Deadline

To receive the 65+ exemption for a given assessment year, you must file with your county or city assessor by July 1 of that year. Most Central Iowa homeowners use the Homestead Tax Credit and Exemption form (54‑028), which covers both the standard Homestead Credit and the new 65+ exemption.

Once approved, your exemption will generally renew automatically as long as you remain eligible and the home stays your primary residence. If you sell and buy another Iowa home—whether you move across town in Urbandale or downsize to a ranch in Grimes—you must reapply at the new address.

You can find detailed guidance and the current form on the Iowa Department of Revenue website here:https://revenue.iowa.gov/taxes/tax-guidance/property-tax/homestead-tax-credit-and-exemption. For Polk and Dallas County homeowners, I recommend adding a reminder in your calendar for early May so you have plenty of time to gather documents and file before July 1.

Tip for Polk and Dallas County homeowners: if you are moving to or within Urbandale (50322), Waukee (50263), or North Des Moines (50313), let’s time your closing so you can apply on schedule and avoid missing a year of savings.

How Much You Can Save in Polk and Dallas Counties

The exemption lowers your taxable value, not your tax rate, so the dollar savings depend on your local levy (mill rate). In many Polk and Dallas County neighborhoods, a $6,500 reduction in taxable value typically translates to roughly $150–$275 per year in property tax savings for qualifying homeowners.

Higher‑levy areas, including some parts of Ankeny and Johnston, often see savings toward the higher end of that range because local rates are higher. The savings usually show up across your September and March property tax payments, helping smooth out rising assessments or higher levies.

If your 2025 or 2026 assessment jumped, this relief can help soften the hit while you decide whether staying put, downsizing in Waukee, or moving to a single‑story home in Grimes makes the most sense. When we plan a move together, we estimate your likely taxes by neighborhood and zip code before you write an offer so your retirement budget is protected. Want to see exactly how much your property taxes could be? Use our Property Tax Calculator to estimate your annual tax bill in any Des Moines area neighborhood.

Can You Combine Homestead, 65+ Exemption, and Veteran Benefits?

Yes—you can stack the 65+ exemption with the traditional Homestead Credit on the same property if you meet the requirements for both. This layered approach is one of the most effective ways seniors can reduce their property tax burden while remaining in a familiar home and community.

If you are a qualifying veteran, you may also be eligible for an additional military or veteran’s property tax exemption, which is handled separately through your assessor or veterans office. Couples should note that there is only one 65+ exemption per property, even if both spouses are 65 or older, but both names can still be on the deed.

When we meet, we look at the full stack—Homestead, 65+ exemption, and any veteran benefits—so you can see the real impact on your annual tax bill before deciding whether to stay, remodel for accessibility, or plan a future move.

Quick Answers for Snowbirds, Downsizers, and Senior Moves

Already have the Homestead Credit? You can still add the 65+ exemption on top of it if you qualify; it does not replace your existing credit. If you are a “snowbird” who spends winters in a warmer state, you can often keep the 65+ exemption as long as Iowa remains your primary residence and you meet the six‑month occupancy requirement.

If you move within Iowa—to a townhouse in West Des Moines, a condo in downtown Des Moines, or a ranch in Waukee—you will need to reapply for the exemption at the new property. For seniors in assisted living, nursing homes, or other care facilities, special provisions may still apply, and it is wise to review your situation with your assessor or advisor.

As your Smart Move Specialist and SRES®, I help families across Des Moines, West Des Moines (50265), Urbandale (50322), Waukee (50263), Ankeny, Johnston, and Grimes make calm, confident choices around taxes, timing, and housing—often alongside adult children who are supporting these decisions.

Planning Your Next Smart Move

I want you to feel safe, informed, and supported—whether you are staying put in West Des Moines or downsizing closer to grandkids in Urbandale or Ankeny. Property taxes are just one part of a bigger picture that includes health, accessibility, proximity to family, and your long‑term financial plan.

Use the Smart Move Des Moines app for real‑time tax‑related property estimates, AI‑powered property matches, and one‑tap showings as you compare options across Central Iowa. Inside the app, you can watch neighborhoods in Des Moines, West Des Moines (50265), Urbandale (50322), Waukee (50263), Ankeny, Johnston, and Grimes so you see how different homes and areas might affect your long‑term budget.

📱 Download the Smart Move Des Moines app for AI‑powered property search, instant market alerts, and 24/7 access to your personal Des Moines agent—the only app of its kind in Central Iowa:https://bk.homestack.com/smartmovedesmoines. Use it to compare likely taxes by neighborhood and zip code before you decide whether to stay, downsize, or move closer to family.

If you are considering a move, I will map your likely property taxes by neighborhood and zip code before we tour so you can see how each option fits your retirement or caregiving budget. After closing, you should not have to chase vendors or utilities, which is why I partner with Golden Concierge—they handle details like utility setup and trusted local vendors so you can focus on settling in.

If you want a deeper dive, I also wrote a practical downsizing guide for Des Moines seniors that is especially helpful for adult children helping parents; you can get it inside the Smart Move Des Moines app.

FAQs: Iowa Property Taxes at 65 in Des Moines

How do Iowa property taxes change when you turn 65 in Des Moines?
When you turn 65 and qualify for the new Iowa homestead exemption, your primary home’s taxable value is reduced by a set amount on top of the regular Homestead Credit, which lowers your overall property tax bill. The exact savings depend on where you live, your assessed value, and your local levy in places like Des Moines, West Des Moines, or Urbandale.

Can I get the Iowa 65+ homestead exemption if I spend winters in another state?
In many cases, yes, as long as Iowa remains your primary residence, you live in the Iowa home at least six months a year, and you meet the other residency rules. The key is that the Iowa property is your main home, not your winter place, so documentation like voter registration and tax filings should match that.

Who can help me file the homestead exemption in Polk or Dallas County?
Your county assessor’s office is the official resource for forms and eligibility, and the Iowa Department of Revenue website provides current guidance and links. As a Central Iowa Realtor® and SRES®, I regularly walk clients through the timing, paperwork, and housing decisions tied to the 65+ exemption so your tax strategy and housing plan work together.

Get the Smart Move Des Moines app

📱 Download the free Smart Move Des Moines app for AI-powered property search, instant market alerts, and 24/7 access to your personal Des Moines agent—the only app of its kind in Central Iowa: https://bk.homestack.com/smartmovedesmoines

From First Keys to Final Chapters – Let’s Make a Smart Move.

Sarah Ingles, Realtor® SRES®
Smart Move Des Moines | Powered by CHASE. Collective Real Estate
Partnered with Golden Concierge
(563) 513‑8771
[email protected]
smartmovedsm.com