January 2024

Funneling State Dollars to Local Governments Isn’t the Answer

Funneling State Dollars to Local Governments Isn’t the Answer

January 29, 2024by Sarah Curry, DBA

Iowa’s legislature needs to know what is really going on, so they aren’t misled by the media touting “HUGE” property tax savings across the river.  We can’t stress enough the dangers in using a state’s budget to pay for local expenses. Both Iowans and Nebraskans have struggled under the weight of high property taxes for many years. Despite the positive strides […]

County Tax Relief Is Not Deprivation

County Tax Relief Is Not Deprivation

January 22, 2024by Sarah Curry, DBA

Counties are cashing in on hefty property taxes from high assessments, and reducing rates won’t halt financial gains. You might hear your county officials complaining they are facing dire straits this year because of the new property tax law. The truth is that too many counties have been cashing in on hefty property taxes from rapidly increasing assessments, and redirecting […]

Assessment Rollback Protects Your Property Tax Bill

Assessment Rollback Protects Your Property Tax Bill

January 19, 2024by Sarah Curry, DBA

The amount of property tax you pay could go down if local governments choose to keep the levy rate the same or lower it. Many people got their new property tax assessments or valuations in the mail last fall. While the value of their home might have increased 20% or more, that does not mean your property taxes are going […]

American Soil Should Remain in American Hands

American Soil Should Remain in American Hands

January 12, 2024by John Hendrickson

This article was published in The Courier. Governor Reynolds is proposing new legislation to “further protect our farmland from foreign interests.” Defending American sovereignty is vital and Governor Kim Reynolds is working diligently to protect Iowa and the nation from the growing threat posed by China. From both an economic and national security standpoint, China likely represents the most dang...

Governor Proposes New Tax Cuts; Legislators Signal Support for Pro-Growth Policies

Governor Proposes New Tax Cuts; Legislators Signal Support for Pro-Growth Policies

January 10, 2024by John Hendrickson

Iowa’s income tax would drop to 3.5 percent next year under the governor’s proposal.  In her Condition of the State address, Governor Kim Reynolds outlined a pro-growth policy agenda, including a new round of income tax cuts. Gov. Reynolds stated, “ the condition of our state is truly strong.” The reason for this is the fiscally conservative policies Iowa’s elected officials have been ...

Accelerate, Lower, and Eliminate: A Pro-Growth Blueprint to Make Iowa’s Tax Code More Competitive

Accelerate, Lower, and Eliminate: A Pro-Growth Blueprint to Make Iowa’s Tax Code More Competitive

January 8, 2024by John Hendrickson

Additional income tax cuts will generate hundreds of millions of dollars per year in economic growth for Iowa. After three significant rounds of tax cuts since 2018, Iowa firmly established itself as the national leader in state-based tax reform. Now, the state government has a real possibility of eliminating the income tax, making Iowa the first state to do so. […]

Session Preview: Property Taxes

Session Preview: Property Taxes

January 6, 2024by ITR Foundation

Iowa still ranks in the “Bottom 10” nationally when comparing property taxes. The Tax Foundation recently released its annual 2024 State Business Tax Climate Index, which measures the tax competitiveness across the country. Iowa’s standing on the index has been improving every year, and thanks to continuing tax reforms, the 2024 results continued the trend. Last year, Iowa ranked 38th […]

Session Preview: Regulatory Reform Trio

Session Preview: Regulatory Reform Trio

January 5, 2024by ITR Foundation

While some regulation is necessary, too much stifles economic growth. The elimination of “red tape” barriers will add to and amplify the multiple pro-growth and free-market reforms Iowa has passed in recent years. Cutting back unnecessary regulation will continue to move Iowa toward a better economic climate.

Session Preview: Constitutional Amendments

Session Preview: Constitutional Amendments

January 4, 2024by ITR Foundation

Diverting Taxpayer Relief Fund dollars to property tax relief would simply be another instance of the state subsidizing local government spending growth. During the 2023 legislative session, the Iowa Legislature began to consider two important constitutional amendments that would provide protection for Iowa taxpayers. If lawmakers are interested in continuing to stand up for the taxpayer, they sho...

First Half of Fiscal Year Sees Slight Revenue Dip

First Half of Fiscal Year Sees Slight Revenue Dip

January 3, 2024by ITR Foundation

Total net receipts YTD are 0.7% less than last year, with a reduction in personal income tax and growth in sales/use tax and corporate income tax. Iowa’s revenue report for December has been released and the data revealed net General Fund revenue for the month was $11.1 million (-1.3%) below the December 2022 net revenue level. When broken down by the […]

Session Preview: A Conservative Budget

Session Preview: A Conservative Budget

January 3, 2024by ITR Foundation

Iowa’s status as a national leader on tax policy would not be possible but for the less-heralded fact that Iowa is a national leader when it comes to conservative budgeting, as well. Sound budgeting is at the heart of all good public policy. Pro-growth tax reform cannot occur without prudent budgeting and spending restraint. Thanks to the wise priorities of both Governor Reynolds and the legislatu...

Kim Reynolds is correct to prioritize more income tax reform in 2024

Kim Reynolds is correct to prioritize more income tax reform in 2024

January 2, 2024by John Hendrickson and Matt Everson

This article was published in the Des Moines Register. Once again, one of Gov. Kim Reynolds top priorities for the 2024 legislative session is income tax reform. A champion of fiscal responsibility, the governor knows restraining spending and returning tax dollars to the hard-working Iowans who paid them is the best path to economic growth. Once one the of the highest-income-tax states in the nat...

Session Preview: Income Taxes

Session Preview: Income Taxes

January 2, 2024by ITR Foundation

Policymakers could seize the opportunity to place Iowa’s income tax on a path toward elimination. Iowa is in a strong position to enact even further income tax reforms in 2024, and it must. As more states cut income tax rates, Iowa cannot become complacent. The competition among the states for businesses, jobs, and people is fierce. This is especially true […]

2024 Legislative Session Preview

2024 Legislative Session Preview

January 1, 2024by ITR Foundation

Personal income taxes will not be the only focus in the upcoming legislative session. Iowa’s fiscal conservatism will also touch on corporate taxes and property taxes. Iowa is currently in a robust financial position, a testament to a series of strategic policies and legislative changes that have shaped its economic landscape. As the 2024 legislative session approaches, the state’s fin...