CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – March 25, 2020 - The Cedar Rapids City Assessor’s office will mail assessment notices on March 30, 2020 to Cedar Rapids property owners whose property assessments have changed since last year, informing them of the January 1, 2020 assessment.Property owners whose values have remained unchanged will not receive an assessment notice.Iowa law requires all assessors within the State of Iowa to mail these assessment notices by April 1 of each year when a value change occurs.
If property owners believe the assessment is not a reflection of the market value for the property, they can request an appeal. In light of the recent impacts of COVID-19, the Cedar Rapids’ Assessor’s Office is taking measures to help request an extension to the appeal period for residents who wish to appeal their property assessments.
Currently, this informal review opportunity runs from April 2 to April 25 and the formal Board of Review appeal time frame runs from April 2 to April 30.However, in an effort to help alleviate some of the challenges COVID-19 has placed on families, the Cedar Rapids Assessor’s Office has made a request through the Iowa Department of Revenue and the Iowa State Association of Assessors on whether or not this appeal period could be extended. The City Assessor’s Office will be adding communication to their website, as well as an insert in the assessment notice going out to property owners, notifying residents of a potential extension to file an appeal.
Appeal Process
If property owners believe the assessment is not a reflection of the market value for the property, contact the Cedar Rapids City Assessors office to request a review by calling 319-286-5888 or email at crassessor@cedar-rapids.org.
The form to petition to the Board of Review can be found on the City Assessor’s website at http://cedarrapids.iowaassessors.com or you can contact the Assessor’s office to request the form. Petitions are required to be in writing and include identification of the property (address, parcel number, legal description), grounds (reason) for the appeal and a signature with contact information. Please state if you are requesting an oral hearing with the Board of Review.
To support social distancing efforts, City Assessors office is currently closed to the general public but their staff is still available to work with residents by phone at 319-286-5888 or email from 7:30a.m. to 4:30p.m., Monday – Friday.Paperwork can be submitted via email at crassessor@cedar-rapids.org or by using the drop-box located outside the City Services Center at 500 15th Ave SW.
Background on Property Assessments
The 2020 assessment is the basis of property taxes payable September 2021 (1st half taxes) and March 2022 (2nd half taxes).
The assessment contained in the notification is the gross assessment and will include qualifying exemptions and abatements computed by the Cedar Rapids City Assessor’s Office. It does not include the state designated rollbacks, homestead, military and business property tax credits or exemptions calculated and applied by the Linn County Auditor’s office.The City Assessors website will be updated Monday, March 30, 2020 with the revised assessments and property characteristics.
Property classified as Commercial, Residential, Industrial and Multi-Residential assessments reflect market value. Agricultural land and buildings are valued using a productivity method as required by the State of Iowa.