How are property tax rates determined in Iowa?

Property tax rates in Iowa are set by each taxing district (municipality, school district, park district, library, etc.) based on their annual levy (the amount of tax revenue they need). The rate is calculated by dividing the levy by the total assessed value of all property in the district.

What is the composite tax rate?

The composite tax rate is the sum of all overlapping taxing district rates that apply to a specific property. A typical property may be taxed by several overlapping districts. The composite rate determines your total tax bill when multiplied by your property's assessed value.

Why do tax rates vary within the same town?

Properties within the same municipality can have different composite rates because overlapping districts (school, park, fire, library) have different boundaries. A home in one school district may have a different rate than a home two blocks away in a different school district.

De Soto, IA Property Tax Rate 2026 — Full Breakdown by District

Showing latest tax year with year-over-year changes. Full rate history available with a paid plan. See products & pricing →

Property Tax — Tax Year 2025 (payable 2026)i

IA Dept of Management Property Tax

Composite Ratei

2.62%–3.68%+43.3%YoY

Varies by school district

Municipal Portioni

0.0000%0% of total

Effective Ratei

1.22%–1.70%

Est. Annual Taxi

$3K–$4K

Median Home Valuei

$227,700

Rate varies by school district. Your actual rate depends on which school district your property falls in.

Rate Trend — click a year to explorei

20242025

Municipal

Other Districts

Where Your Tax Dollar Goesi

$1.17 DESOTO CITY/ADM SCH/URBAN TIF BASE

$1.17 DESOTO CITY/ADM/URP '16 TIF BASE

$1.17 DESOTO CITY/ADM SCH/DESOTO CORNER PROPERTIES

$1.17 DE SOTO CITY/ADM SCH/DE SOTO 2020 RESIDENTIAL URA 25044/21 TIF ORD 342 BASE

$1.17 DE SOTO CITY/ADM SCH/DE SOTO 2020 RESIDENTIAL URA 25044/21 TIF ORD 342 INCREMENT

$1.17 DESOTO CITY/ADM SCH

$1.17 DESOTO CITY/ADM/URP '16 TIF INCREMENT

$0.83 DESOTO CITY AG/ADM/URP '16 TIF INCREMENT

$0.83 DESOTO CITY AG/ADM/URP '16 TIF BASE

$0.83 DESOTO CITY AG/ADM SCH/DESOTO CORNER PROPERTI

$0.83 DESOTO CITY AG/ADM SCH

$0.83 DESOTO CITY AG/ADM SCH/URBAN TIF BASE

Estimated Tax by Home Valuei

$100K

$874–$1,225

$150K

$1,311–$1,838

$200K

$1,748–$2,450

$250K

$2,185–$3,063

$300K

$2,622–$3,675

$350K

$3,059–$4,288

$400K

$3,496–$4,900

Highlighted value is closest to median home value ($228K)

12 Overlapping Taxing Districtsi

DESOTO CITY/ADM SCH/URBAN TIF BASE

116.7%3.6756%

DESOTO CITY/ADM/URP '16 TIF BASE

116.7%3.6756%

DESOTO CITY/ADM SCH/DESOTO CORNER PROPERTIES

116.7%3.6756%

DE SOTO CITY/ADM SCH/DE SOTO 2020 RESIDENTIAL URA 25044/21 TIF ORD 342 BASE

116.7%3.6756%

DE SOTO CITY/ADM SCH/DE SOTO 2020 RESIDENTIAL URA 25044/21 TIF ORD 342 INCREMENT

116.7%3.6756%

DESOTO CITY/ADM SCH

116.7%3.6756%

DESOTO CITY/ADM/URP '16 TIF INCREMENT

116.7%3.6756%

DESOTO CITY AG/ADM/URP '16 TIF INCREMENT

83.3%2.6219%

DESOTO CITY AG/ADM/URP '16 TIF BASE

83.3%2.6219%

DESOTO CITY AG/ADM SCH/DESOTO CORNER PROPERTI

83.3%2.6219%

DESOTO CITY AG/ADM SCH

83.3%2.6219%

DESOTO CITY AG/ADM SCH/URBAN TIF BASE

83.3%2.6219%