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Q:
Where are you located?
A: The Tax department is located on the first floor of the Clay County
Administration Building in Spencer Iowa |
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Q:
What hours are you open?
A: The Tax Department is open Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
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Q:
What is your phone/fax
number/e-mail address?
A:
The phone number for the Tax Department is (712) 262-2179;
the fax number is
(712) 262-5793;
Please e-mail messages and questions to
Sandra
S. Geidl, Treasurer |
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Q:
How do I
add or change a mailing address for my tax statement?
A: You may notify the Treasurer's Office by mail, telephone or e-mail of your
change of address |
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Q:
Where
can I get the latest information about my property taxes?
A: Call the Treasurer's Office tax department at (712) 262-2179 for information
concerning current year and prior year taxes |
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Q:
When will I receive
my real estate tax statement?
A: Real estate, special assessment and drainage tax statements are mailed
annually in August. |
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Q:
Will I
receive a reminder of my second half real estate tax?
A: No. Tax statements will only be sent out once in August. The
statement has two payment coupons to be used for the 1st half and the 2nd half.
Delinquent notices will be sent out in February and May. This notice is
only sent to people who owe delinquent real estate taxes. |
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Q:
Is
it important that I include my tax coupon with my tax payment?
A: Yes, it is very important to include the tax coupons with your tax payment.
The Treasurer's Office does not retain a paper copy of your tax statement.
The coupon assures you that the correct amount is posted to the correct parcel.
Keep the bottom half of the tax statement for your records. We will stamp
your copy paid in our office. Mailed statements will be returned to you
marked paid only when a stamped envelope is enclosed. |
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Q:
Why are special
assessment statements mailed to me?
A: The special assessment statement will inform you of the type of special
assessment for which you are being billed. Examples of special assessments
are paving, sidewalk repairs, and delinquent water bills. Special
assessments are due once a year with the first half property tax installment.
If you have additional questions please contact our office. |
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Q:
Will I receive a
drainage tax statement every year?
A: Drainage taxes are based on the indebtedness of the drainage district.
Drainage taxes may not have to be collected each year because of the change of
indebtedness. You will be mailed a drainage tax statement if there is a drainage tax due. Drainage taxes are
due once a year with the first half property tax installment. |
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Q:
When do I
have to pay penalty on my taxes and how much is it?
A: Penalty attaches to the 1st half taxes on October 1st and to the 2nd half
taxes on April 1st at 1½% per month. Payments must be
received in the Treasurer's Office or postmarked before October 1st and April
1st, including those instances when the last day of September or March falls on
a Saturday or Sunday. In this instance, payment will be received in the
office or postmarked the following Monday, without penalty. |
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Q:
How late can I pay my taxes and not get my name published in the paper?
A: If taxes are received in the Treasurer's Office by person or mail by our cut
off date, they will not be published on the Delinquent Tax List. |
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Q:
I have an escrow company paying my taxes, do I notify you of this or does the
escrow company notify you?
A: The escrow company must request your tax statement each year from the
Treasurer's Office. The request must be in writing with the property
owners names and legal description included. The request must be submitted
by June 1st. The Treasurer's Office will mail tax statements to the escrow
company and to the property owner. |
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Q:
Is there any type of credit or help available for elderly, disables, or
low-income property owners?
A: Yes. To find out if you qualify for the Iowa Property Tax Credit and to
obtain an application, please call our office. |
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Q:
Where do
I apply for a homestead credit and a military credit?
A: You apply for these credits at the
Clay
County Assessor's Office. This office is located on the first floor of
the Clay County Administration Building in Spencer, Iowa. The phone number
is (712) 262-1986. |
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Q:
When is the tax sale held?
A: The tax sale is held each year on the 3rd Monday of June. Contact the
office for more details. |
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Q:
What should I do
if I have a tax sale on my property?
A: Please contact this office to determine your rights concerning redemption and
the amount necessary to redeem the tax sale. Tax sale redemptions must be
made in guaranteed funds - cash, cashier's check, or money order. |
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Q:
I have sold my
property, who pays the real estate taxes?
A: You need to contact your realtor or attorney for advice on this issue.
This question should be answered before the closing date of the sale of the
property. |
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Q:
Is it
possible to make a partial payment on real estate taxes?
A: Yes, we do accept a form of partial payment. The first half taxes may
be paid in two payments and the second half taxes may be paid in two payments. |
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Q:
Do you take credit
cards for real estate payment?
A: Yes, we do accept credit cards and debit cards for tax payments in the office.
The mode of payment accepted is: personal check, money order, cashier's check,
or cash. You may pay real estate taxes on the Internet using a credit card,
debit card
or by e-check. The website for online tax payments is:
www.iowatreasurers.org.
CLICK HERE for answers to commonly asked questions about online payments. |
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Q:
I am going to be moving my mobile home to another location; do I need a tax
clearance form?
A: Yes, a mobile home tax clearance form is required when moving your mobile
home to another location. Please contact our office for more information. |
