Polk County Property Tax Appeal — Iowa

Rob Hartley·Updated February 9, 2026

Polk County is Iowa's most populous county, home to the state capital Des Moines and the Des Moines metropolitan area. The county includes major cities like Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, and Urbandale.

Notable cities: Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale

Median Home

$258,000

Tax Rate

1.69%

Annual Tax

$3,904

Population

500,000

2026 Appeal Deadline: April 30, 2026

Property owners must file a written protest between April 2nd and April 30th. If April 30th falls on a weekend, the deadline is extended to the following business day.

Property in Polk County, Iowa — local tax assessment and appeal guide

How Polk County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Polk County Assessor

Assessment cycle: biennial

Notices typically mailed: Before April 1

In Polk County, the assessed value equals 100% of the market value as determined by the County Assessor. The tax assessed value is then calculated by subtracting any applicable exemptions or limits from the market value.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Board of Review. The Board meets in May to consider assessment protests and stays in session as needed, usually not past May 31st. If you requested an oral hearing, you will receive written notice of your hearing date.

Step 1: Obtain assessment notice (mailed before April 1) or search property at https://assess.co.polk.ia.us

Step 2: Optional - Request informal review with assessor between April 2nd and April 25th

Step 3: Complete the Petition to Local Board of Review form, specifying grounds for protest

Step 4: File petition between April 2nd and April 30th via email, fax, mail, or in-person

Step 5: Attend Board of Review hearing in May if oral hearing was requested

Step 6: Receive written decision from Board of Review

Step 7: If dissatisfied, appeal to Property Assessment Appeal Board or District Court

Required form: Petition to Local Board of Review

Filing Methods

email:protest@https://assess.co.polk.ia.us

fax:(515) 286-3386

mail:111 Court Ave, Rm 195, Des Moines, Iowa 50309

in-person:Polk County Assessor's Office, 111 Court Ave, Room 195, Des Moines, IA 50309

Evidence to Bring

Comparable property assessmentsRecent sales of similar propertiesProperty photos showing conditionIndependent appraisalsRepair estimates or documentation

Polk County Assessor Contact

Polk County Assessor

Phone: (515) 286-3014

Address: 111 Court Ave., Room 195, Des Moines, IA 50309

Website: https://assess.co.polk.ia.us/

Online Portal: https://web.assess.co.polk.ia.us/

Hours: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday

Tax Exemptions in Polk County

Homestead Tax Credit

$4,850 reduction in taxable value

Reduces taxable value by $4,850 for owner-occupied primary residences

Eligibility: Must own and occupy the home as primary residence in IowaDeadline: July 1

Homestead Tax Exemption (65+)

$6,500 reduction in taxable value

Additional exemption for homeowners 65 years or older

Eligibility: Must be 65 years or older on January 1 of the assessment year and qualify for homestead creditDeadline: July 1

Senior and Disabled Property Tax Credit

Up to $1,000 maximum credit

Credit for elderly homeowners and homeowners with disabilities

Eligibility: Age 65+ or totally disabled (18+), Iowa resident, household income less than $26,895, recorded owner by June 30 of prior yearDeadline: June 1

Disabled Veteran Homestead Tax Credit

Varies based on disability rating

Credit for veterans with permanent and total disability rating

Eligibility: 100% service-connected disability rating or individual unemployability rating, or surviving spouse/child receiving DICDeadline: July 1

Military Exemption

Varies

Property tax exemption for military service members

Eligibility: Active military personnel and qualifying veteransDeadline: Contact Assessor's Office for details

Official Resources

Polk County Assessor's Office →

Official county assessor website with property assessment information, exemptions, and assessment appeal procedures.

Iowa Department of Revenue Property Tax Division →

State-level property tax information including tax rates, assessment procedures, and taxpayer resources.

Polk County Property Search →

Online property search portal to look up property information, assessments, and tax details by address or parcel number.

Polk County Treasurer's Office →

County treasurer website for property tax payment information, due dates, and payment options.

Polk County Appeal Statistics

% Who Appeal

700+ petitions filed in recent assessment cycle

Check Your Polk County Assessment

Enter your address to see if your Polk County property is overassessed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Polk County?

The deadline to appeal your property tax assessment in Polk County is April 30, 2026. You must file a written protest with the Board of Review between April 2nd and April 30th. If April 30th falls on a weekend, the deadline extends to the following business day.

How do I file a property tax appeal in Polk County online?

While you cannot file the appeal directly online, you can submit your Petition to Local Board of Review via email to protest@https://assess.co.polk.ia.us. You can also fax it to(515) 286-3386 or mail it to 111 Court Ave, Rm 195, Des Moines, Iowa 50309. Forms are available on the Polk County Assessor's website at https://assess.co.polk.ia.us.

What is the homestead exemption worth in Polk County?

The homestead tax credit in Polk County reduces your taxable value by $4,850. If you're 65 or older, you can qualify for an additional homestead exemption that reduces taxable value by another $6,500, for a total reduction of $11,350 in taxable value.

What happens at a Board of Review hearing in Polk County?

The Board of Review meets in May to consider all assessment protests. If you requested an oral hearing in your petition, you'll receive written notice of your hearing date and can appear before the Board to present evidence supporting your appeal. The Board will send written notice of its decision and the reasons after it adjourns.

Can I request an informal review before filing a formal appeal in Polk County?

Yes, you can request an informal review with the Polk County Assessor between April 2nd and April 25th. This is optional and doesn't replace the formal protest process. If you're not satisfied with the informal review, you can still file a formal protest with the Board of Review by April 30th.

What grounds can I use to appeal my property tax assessment in Polk County?

You can appeal based on five grounds: (1) The assessment is not equitable compared to similar properties, (2) The property is assessed for more than authorized by law, (3) The property is not assessable, exempt, or misclassified, (4) There is an error in the assessment, or (5) There is fraud or misconduct in the assessment.

Where can I find comparable property values to support my appeal in Polk County?

You can search for comparable properties and their assessments on the Polk County Assessor's website at https://assess.co.polk.ia.us. The site provides property search tools that allow you to look up assessment values for similar properties in your area, which you should list on your protest form when filing your appeal.

For state-wide appeal information including Iowa's assessment ratio and deadlines, see our Iowa Property Tax Appeal Guide →

Considering professional help with your appeal? Compare pricing, coverage, and pros/cons in our Best Property Tax Appeal Services (2026) or browse side-by-side service comparisons →

More Iowa Counties

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← All Iowa property tax appeal info

Sources: https://assess.co.polk.ia.us/ | https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/treasurer/property-tax/property-tax-relief/ | https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/county-assessor/ | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/iowa/polk-county | https://assess.co.polk.ia.us/cgi-bin/web/tt/infoqry.cgi?tt=aboutus/protest

Last verified: 2026-02-09