How do I apply for the Iowa disabled veteran exemption, and what is the deadline?

File Form 54-049 — Disabled Veteran Homestead Tax Credit with your city or county Assessor. File by July 1 of the assessment year; it renews automatically while you qualify.

Iowa Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption

Iowa's Disabled Veteran Homestead Tax Credit wipes out 100% of the property tax on a 100% disabled veteran's homestead.

Key information

100% / total & permanent rating: Full exemption (bill → $0)
Income limit: No income limit.
File with: your city or county Assessor
Deadline: File by July 1 of the assessment year; it renews automatically while you qualify.
Governing law: Iowa Code §425.15

What you qualify for

100% permanent & total service-connected disability (or individual unemployability paid at the 100% rate)

A credit equal to 100% of the property tax on your homestead — effectively a full exemption (Iowa Code §425.15).

Surviving spouses

A surviving spouse or child receiving VA dependency & indemnity compensation (DIC) may qualify.

How to claim it

1Get the form: Form 54-049 — Disabled Veteran Homestead Tax CreditNot sure which form fits your situation, or want it filled in for your county? Email support@taxedfairly.com and we'll send you the right form with your details pre-filled.
2VA certification of 100% P&T (or individual unemployability at the 100% rate).
3File with your city or county Assessor before the deadline: File by July 1 of the assessment year; it renews automatically while you qualify.

Residency: Must be your homestead (primary residence).

Commonly missed

For applications made on or after July 1, 2026, the homestead is limited to one-half acre.

Want it handled for you?

This exemption is free to file yourself with your city or county Assessor — the form and steps are right above, and your local County Veterans Service Officer can also help at no cost.

If you'd rather not deal with the paperwork, we'll prepare and file it for you as an optional done-for-you service — a flat fee, and you only pay if your exemption is approved. We pull and organize your VA documents, complete the correct form, and submit it, then send you a copy.

Have us file it →

We are a private filing-assistance service, not the VA or a government agency, and not a law firm. We do not charge for VA disability claims — this is help with a state/county property tax exemption that uses your existing VA rating.

Frequently asked questions

Who qualifies for the Iowa disabled veteran property tax exemption?: 100% permanent & total service-connected disability (or individual unemployability paid at the 100% rate): A credit equal to 100% of the property tax on your homestead — effectively a full exemption (Iowa Code §425.15). Must be your homestead (primary residence).
Does a 100% VA disability rating fully exempt my property in Iowa?: Yes. A credit equal to 100% of the property tax on your homestead — effectively a full exemption (Iowa Code §425.15).
Is there an income limit for the Iowa disabled veteran exemption?: No income limit.
Can a surviving spouse keep the Iowa disabled veteran exemption?: A surviving spouse or child receiving VA dependency & indemnity compensation (DIC) may qualify.
How do I apply for the Iowa disabled veteran exemption, and what is the deadline?: File Form 54-049 — Disabled Veteran Homestead Tax Credit with your city or county Assessor. File by July 1 of the assessment year; it renews automatically while you qualify.

Not a disabled veteran, or think your home is simply over-assessed? See our Iowa property tax appeal guide.

Information is believed accurate as of the last review; verify details with your city or county Assessor, as rules can change.