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Iowa · Property taxIowa property tax: the September and March installments, delinquency and 1.5% interest

Iowa property taxes are paid in arrears in two halves. No demand is necessary: each taxpayer pays the county treasurer either in full or one-half before September 1 following the levy and the remaining half before March 1 (Iowa Code §445.36(2)). An unpaid first installment becomes delinquent on October 1 and an unpaid second installment on April 1 – on the second business day of October or April when the last day of September or March falls on a Saturday or Sunday (§445.37(1)(a)). A delinquent installment draws interest of one and one-half percent per month until paid, computed to the nearest whole dollar with a one-dollar minimum, and each fraction of a month counts as an entire month (§445.39). The taxes that become delinquent during a fiscal year are for the previous fiscal year (§445.36(1)).

What the statutes set

  1. Two halves (§445.36(2))

    Before September 1 and before March 1.

  2. Delinquency (§445.37(1)(a))

    October 1 and April 1, later if the month ends on a weekend.

  3. Interest (§445.39)

    1.5% per month; a fraction of a month counts as a full month.

  4. In arrears (§445.36(1))

    Taxes delinquent in a fiscal year are for the prior year.

What the TC checks for Iowa property taxes at closing

  • Get the treasurer's statement showing which installments are paid.
  • Remember Iowa taxes are paid in arrears – prorate for the prior year's tax that's still due.
  • If closing falls near October 1 or April 1, make sure the installment is paid before it turns delinquent.

Questions about Iowa property taxes

When are Iowa property taxes due?

In two halves, before September 1 and before March 1, or in full (Iowa Code §445.36(2)).

What interest does Iowa charge on late property taxes?

1.5% per month from the delinquent date, with each fraction of a month counted as a full month (Iowa Code §445.39).

Related guides

Add the September and March installment dates as dated tasks on the deal in ClosingCode.

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Sources: Iowa Code §§445.36, 445.37, 445.39 (legis.iowa.gov, Iowa Code 2026), read October 31, 2026.

General information, not legal advice. ClosingCode is software; it is not a law firm or brokerage. This guide is not a substitute for the advice or services of an attorney.