News From Your Treasurer:

The Union County Treasurer will hold the annual tax sale on Monday, June 16, 2025 beginning at 9:00 a.m. Bidders will place their bids online.  The auction site can be accesssed by going to www.govease.com If you wish to attend the sale in person, you must supply your own computer.  Wireless internet access will be available for bidders using their own laptop.  Live bids will not be accepted.

 

 

General Information:

Pay Online

Discover, Mastercard, Visa and e-Check are accepted for Internet Transactions. When paying property taxes by parcel number please enter the parcel number which appears on your tax statement. A $30.00 returned check fee will be assessed on any payments returned due to insufficient funds.

 Driver's License

Does your license fly? Beginning May 7, 2025 if you're planning to travel by commercial plane, you must show a REAL ID compliant license or identification card at the airport, or comply with TSA by providing additional documentation including increased security checks which may cause delay.  Not sure if the REAL ID is the right choice for you? Click here to find out more.

Beginning July 1, 2025, customers who do not reside in Union County will be assessed a $10.00 convenience fee for driver's license services unless they pay property taxes in Union County and provide proof of payment.  Collection of the convenience fee is pursuant to Iowa Code 321M.9.

Driver's License is by appointment only.

Property Taxes

When is my property tax bill due?

Property tax bills are split into two installments. The first installment is due at the end of September. The second installment is due at the end of March. Tax bills become delinquent on October 1st and April 1st. If a tax bill becomes delinquent, an interest rate of 1.5% per month is accrued.

Special assessment bills are due at the end of September.

If the last day of September or March falls on a Saturday or Sunday, payments will be accepted on the first day of the following month without interest.

Tax bill payments can be completed by one of the following methods:

• In person at the Union County Treasurers Office, 300 N Pine St, Creston, Iowa
• Online at www.iowatreasurers.org
• Mailing payments to Union County Treasurer, 300 N Pine St, Creston, IA 50801. Make checks payable to: Union County Treasurer. First installments must be postmarked by September 30th. Second installments must be postmarked by March 31st.
• Utilizing the drop box found in front of the Union County Courthouse. Please be sure to include the stub portion of the tax statement for proper credit. If you desire a receipt of payment, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope with payment.

Who do I contact about property valuation?

The Union County, Iowa Treasurer's Office is not responsible for property assessment. Property assessment is conducted by the Union County Assessor's Office.

What is a tax sale?

The annual tax sale is an auctioned sale of delinquent property taxes. Bidders must pay a registration fee in order to buy properties at tax sale. They purchase the taxes for what is owing and then the hold a lien against the property.

Any unpaid tax is subject to tax sale. All delinquent taxes are published within three weeks of the tax sale, which is typically held on the third Monday in June.

There are two types of tax sale certificates:

• Regular:This is purchased the first time at tax sale. The certificate holder has to wait a minimum of one year and nine months before they can start the process of taking deed to the property. They also have up to three years from the date that it was purchased at tax sale to start the process of taking deed to the property. If it goes past the three years since the date of purchase of the tax sale, then they can no longer take deed to the property.
• Public Bidder:This is where taxes are one year delinquent, and no one purchased at the tax sale. It was then offered again at the next year’s tax sale and purchased. The tax sale purchaser only has to wait nine months before starting the process of taking deed to the property. They have up to three years to start the process of taking deed to the property. If it goes past the three years since the date of purchase of the tax sale, then they can no longer take deed to the property.

Taking deed to a property by the tax sale process is a ninety-day process. The property owner can still redeem the taxes during this time. Once the ninety days are up, the property owner will no longer be able to redeem and lose their property for the percentage of the tax sale certificate. Tax sales incur penalty or interest at 2% each month that it goes unredeemed. Once a property is at tax sale, any other delinquent subsequent taxes that still owe after November 15th and May 15th can be purchased by the tax sale certificate holder and added to the tax sale amount without having to wait until the third Monday in June.

Can I make a partial payment on my property taxes?

The County Treasurer may accept partial payments. Please contact the County Treasurer's Office for more information and authorization to make a partial payment.

Partial payments are not accepted for the following:

• Special assessments
• Drainage
• Tax sale redemptions

Can I get assistance for my property taxes?

There is a program to provide help with your property taxes, in the form of low-income elderly or low income disabled credits. Currently, to meet the low-income requirement, your income must be below $26,219. Social Security and Medicare must be included as income.

Please contact the County Treasurer's Office for claim forms and details.

How do I apply for Homestead and/or Military tax credits?

Homestead and Military tax exemptions are completed within the Assessor’s office.

About Us:

 

Kelly Busch, Union County Treasurer

 

The Treasurer is responsible for collection of taxes and other fees for state, county, city, school districts, community colleges, and other taxing bodies such as townships and fire districts.

The County Treasurer’s Office is responsible for all motor vehicle transactions and issues drivers license and CDLs.

Dates to remember from the Treasurer’s Office

• March 1 – Second-half of property taxes due.
• March 31 – The second half of property tax is due by March 1st of each year.  Late interest will accrue starting April 1st unless the last day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, then taxes become delinquent the second business day of April.
• July 1 – First day of Fiscal Year
• September 1 – The first half of property tax is due by September 1st of each year.  Late interest will accrue starting October 1st, unless the last day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, then taxes become delinquent the second business day of October.
• September 30 – Last day to pay first-half of property taxes without penalty at the Treasurer’s office.  Mail-in payments must be post-marked by September 30.