The first step should be to visit with the assessor’s office. The assessor’s office will have information that will help you to understand your assessment as well as the assessment process. If after speaking with a member of the assessor’s office, you disagree with the assessed value, you may request an informal review with the assessor or file a formal protest with the Board of Review.
Any property owner or aggrieved taxpayer who is dissatisfied with the property assessment may contact the assessor between April 2nd - April 25th and request an informal assessment review. (Refer to Code of Iowa Section 441.30.)
Be prepared to present information that will substantiate the value you feel is fair and equitable and by using the same grounds for protest as described in the Grounds for Appeal. The assessor’s office will supply this form and other information to you.
If an agreement can be made between the taxpayer and the assessor, the value can be changed with a written and signed agreement no later than April 25th. If there is no agreement made between the assessor and the taxpayer, a formal protest to the Board of Review may be filed no later than April 30th.
FORMAL PROTEST TO THE BOARD OF REVIEW
If there is no agreement made at an informal review, the property owner or taxpayer may file a written protest against such assessment with the Board of Review on or after April 2nd, to and including April 30th, of the year of the assessment to be considered timely filed. The property owner or aggrieved taxpayer may have an oral hearing if requested at the time of the filing the protest. (Refer to Code of Iowa Section 441.37.) Oral hearing dates will be set by the Board of Review.
It is not mandatory that an informal review be requested in order to file a formal protest with the Board of Review.
Be prepared to present information that will substantiate the assessment that you feel is fair and equitable and by using the same grounds for protest as described in the Grounds for Appeal. The assessor’s office can supply a Protest of Assessment Form to you or one can be found at the Iowa Department of Revenue website. https://tax.iowa.gov/iowa-property-tax-board-review
Click here for the Wright County Board of Review Rules of Procedure
An informal review or a protest of assessment is not a complaint about high taxes. It is your chance to show that the property’s assessed value is either inaccurate or not equitable compared to other like properties. You should appeal when you can substantiate one or more of the grounds found in Iowa Code Section 441.37.
GROUNDS FOR AN APPEAL
Below is a list of grounds for protesting of assessments in Iowa Code Section 441.37.
(1) That said assessment is not equitable as compared with assessments of other like property in the county or city.
(2) That the property is assessed for more than the value authorized by law. (Section 441.21, Code of Iowa)
(3) That the property is not assessable, is exempt from taxes, or is misclassified.
(4) That there is an error in the assessment.
(5) That there is fraud or misconduct in the assessment.
For more information, please review the Protest of Assessment Form on the Iowa Department of Revenue website. https://tax.iowa.gov/iowa-property-tax-board-review
Your assessment notice is mailed by April 1st of the year of the assessment. An informal review with the Assessor may be requested between April 2nd and April 25th. An appeal to the Board of Review must be filed on or after April 2nd to and including April 30th. Petitions filed outside of the dates will be considered untimely filed and may not be considered by the Board of Review.
WHAT IS THE BOARD OF REVIEW?
The Board of Review is an independent group consisting of three to five members. The Wright County Board of Review is a five (5)-member board appointed by the Conference Board composed of individuals from the county who are familiar with the local real estate market such as realtors or brokers; those in the field of construction or architects; or those that have an agricultural background. The Board operates independently of the Assessor's Office and has the power to confirm, adjust upward, or adjust downward, any assessment in its jurisdiction. The Board of Review is concerned only with the accuracy of the assessments.
Board of Review- 6 year terms Term ends
Carol Haupt, Clarion Broker 12/31/2026
Scott Thompson, Eagle Grove Farmer 12/31/2027
Alec Amonson, Eagle Grove Realtor 12/31/2025
Charles Peil, Belmond Contractor 12/31/2024
Robert Ritter, Galt Farmer 12/31/2027
The Board of Review will utilize all information in their possession whether it is from the person who filed the appeal or the assessor’s office. Sales of similar properties, location of the property, condition of the property, etc. It is the responsibility of the taxpayer to bring forth to the Board of Review all information that would convince the Board of Review that the assessment is not accurate or is not equitable.
The decision made by the Board of Review can be appealed to the District Court or to the Iowa Property Assessment Appeal Board (PAAB) within twenty days after its adjournment or May 31st, whichever date is later. More information is available at the assessor’s office or on the PAAB website.
Translate