Taxes

Strained budgets, tax reform and the trickle down from changing federal policy are a few of the themes surrounding Midwestern state legislatures this year.

High valuations in recent years have increased the burden of property taxes on homeowners. Still, opponents argue that efforts to reform property taxes could harm services citizens rely on and take away local power.

Iowa businesses would pay less in unemployment taxes under a bill that advanced through a Senate committee Tuesday.

While filling out state taxes, Iowans have the option of contributing to the Fish/Wildlife Fund – also known as the Chickadee Checkoff. It provides funding to the DNR to support habitat restoration and to monitor and research non-game wildlife, like songbirds and bumblebees.

Ben Kieffer dives into major headlines from the week, including higher educations and property taxes at the legislature, new safety recommendations for carbon pipelines, wildfire relief efforts and more.

Lawmakers discuss priorities of both parties and chambers, including property taxes, cell phones in schools and Medicaid work requirements

Iowa’s income tax rate dropped to 3.8% Wednesday for all residents who pay income tax, the result of several rounds of tax cuts passed by Republican lawmakers in recent years.

Iowans will vote on whether to levy a property tax to support EMS departments.

Iowa’s state revenue is expected to decline by about $1 billion over a two-year period because of major tax cuts signed into law by Gov. Kim Reynolds, according to Iowa’s revenue forecasters who met Thursday.