Rent reimbursement forms for rent paid in 2020 are available at: Where's My Rent Reimbursement?
Each year, Iowans who are elderly or have a disability may be able to benefit from:
A Property Tax Credit on their home; and
Rent Reimbursement on an apartment or mobile home lot rent.
To be eligible for these programs in 2021, you must:
Have household income during 2020 of less than $24,206; and
In 2020 be at least 65 years old OR at least 18 years old and have a disability.
Reduced taxes eligibility for mobile, manufactured or modular home in a manufactured home community or mobile home park:
Iowans over 23 years old; and
Have household income during 2020 of less than $24,206
Remember, you must apply each year for these programs!
The Iowa Department of Revenue and Finance sets the formula for the credit or reimbursement. Property tax credit, rent reimbursement, or tax reduction programs are based on your 2019 household income. Household income includes:
social security;
wages;
pension;
interest income;
money received from others.
*If you get a rent subsidy, the amount of your subsidy also counts as income. If you earn income from a business, only the net profit from the business is included.*
What “property” can qualify?
The credit or reimbursement may only be used for your homestead. Your homestead is the dwelling you owned or rented as your home during 2020:
If you own a mobile home and live in it on a rented lot, you may apply for both rent reimbursement for the lot rent and a reduced tax rate on your mobile home.
If you live in a mobile home on your own property, you may apply for a property tax credit.
If you live in an apartment, the building must be subject to property tax. Apartments owned by non-profits (like a church) or government entities (like a city, county or state) do not generally pay property taxes.
If you are not sure whether your apartment pays property taxes, ask your landlord or county treasurer.
In some cases, residents of a nursing home may also be eligible for rent reimbursement or a property tax credit.
If you are in a nursing home but still own and maintain your homestead, you can apply for the property tax credit.
If you live in a nursing home and no longer own a home, you may be eligible for rent reimbursement.
To apply for rent reimbursement, you will need to find out from the nursing home how much of your total payment is for rent.
When and How to Apply:
Although deadlines are sometimes extended, you should apply between January 1 and June 1 of 2021 to get a rent reimbursement for rent paid in 2020 or property tax credit or reduced tax rate for 2021/2022 taxes. Rent reimbursement is money that will be sent directly to you. The property tax credit will show up as reduced future payments for property taxes. If you have a mortgage on your home this could mean a reduction in your future monthly payments if they include an amount to pay your property taxes.
Download the form to apply for rent reimbursement here: https://tax.iowa.gov/wheres-my-rent-reimbursement
Or call the Iowa Department of Revenue and Finance at 1-800-367-3388, choose option 4, and then option 1 to talk to a representative.
In recent years forms for rent reimbursement are automatically sent out by the Department of Revenue to people who have previously been receiving rent reimbursement benefits.
Contact your county treasurer for the property tax credit or mobile home reduced tax rate.
You can find the forms and how to apply for all these programs on the Iowa Department of Revenue website. Go to https://tax.iowa.gov
Appeal Rights:
If you are denied benefits or the amount of your claim is reduced, you have appeal rights. You have 30 days from the date of the notice to appeal to the Director of the Department of Revenue. A hearing is scheduled with the decision from the hearing mailed to you. If you disagree with the decision, you have a right to judicial review. An appeal to the Department of Revenue for a tax claim is a complicated process. Call Iowa Legal Aid for possible assistance with your appeal: 1-800-532-1275. The Legal Hotline for Older Iowans at 1-800-992-8161 also has the forms you need to apply and can answer questions.
Iowa Legal Aid provides help to low-income Iowans.
To apply for help from Iowa Legal Aid:
