Local Option - Special Assessment of Wind Energy Devices (Iowa)

Summary

Last modified on February 12, 2015.

Financial Incentive Program

Place	Iowa
Name	Local Option - Special Assessment of Wind Energy Devices
Incentive Type	Property Tax Incentive
Applicable Sector	Commercial, Industrial, Residential, Agricultural
Eligible Technologies	Wind
Active Incentive	Yes
Implementing Sector	State/Territory
Energy Category	Renewable Energy Incentive Programs
Amount	Property valued at 0% of the net acquisition cost in the first assessment year, increasing annually by 5 percentage points to a maximum of 30% of the net acquisition cost in the 7th and succeeding years
Start Date	1994-01-01
Program Administrator	Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Website	http://www.state.ia.us/tax/locgov/propwindcode.html
References	DSIREDatabase of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency

Summary

Any city or county in Iowa may pass an ordinance assessing wind energy conversion equipment at a special valuation for property tax purposes, beginning at 0% of the net acquisition cost in the first assessment year and increasing annually by five percentage points to a maximum of 30% of the net acquisition cost in the 7th and succeeding years.

If a city or county repeals the ordinance, the wind energy property shall be valued at the special rate until the end of the 19th assessment year following the first assessment year. Once this period has ended, the property is valued at the market value rather than 30% of net acquisition cost. The taxpayer must file for the special valuation by February 1 of the assessment year in which the wind system is first assessed for property tax purposes.

An October 2008 opinion from the Iowa Department of Revenue (DOR) clarifies that Iowa Code § 427B.26 does not allow for partial assessments of wind energy property and that wind plants are not subject to assessment until they are completed.

If an ordinance has not been adopted, or if the taxpayer fails to file for the special valuation, the system shall be assessed by the DOR under Iowa Code 428.24 to 428.29 and 441.21(8). These statutes provide that the assessable and taxable value of property shall not increase with the new construction of wind or solar energy systems for five years. See the entry for Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems for more details.

Incentive Contact

Contact Name	Energy Team
Department	Iowa Economic Development Authority
Address	200 East Grand Avenue
Place	Des Moines, Iowa
Zip/Postal Code	50309
Phone 2	(515) 725-0434
Website	http://www.energy.iowa.gov/

Contact Name	Public Information - Revenue
Department	Iowa Department of Revenue
Address	Hoover State Office Building
Address 2	1305 E. Walnut
Place	Des Moines, Iowa
Zip/Postal Code	50319
Phone	(800) 367-3388
Phone 2	(515) 281-3114
Website	http://www.iowa.gov/tax/index.html

Authorities (Please contact the if there are any file problems.)

Authority 1:	Iowa Code § 427B.26

Authority 2:	IAC 701—80.13(1)

• Incentive and policy data are reviewed and approved by the N.C. Solar Center's DSIRE project staff.