The education committees in the Iowa House and Senate have approved a bill that would ensure school districts have tens of millions of dollars in sales taxes to pay for improvements to school property for decades to come. Margaret Buckton, a lobbyist for Rural School Advocates of Iowa, says this is … [Read more...]
Senator says open enrollment creates taxation without representation
A state senator from southeast Iowa wants to adjust the financing for students who attend school outside the district in which they live. It's called "open enrollment." For 30 years, Iowa parents have been able to enroll their kids in public school districts outside the one in which they live. … [Read more...]
DNR hopes to turn around drop in tax checkoff donations to wildlife fund
Iowa's Fish and Wildlife Fund, more commonly known as the Chickadee Checkoff, saw a drop in donors last year and it's hoped tax season this year can bring the fund a boost. Stephanie Shepherd, wildlife biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says the checkoff was launched in the … [Read more...]
State tax haul up 7.1 percent in past six months
State tax collections were nearly five percent higher last month when compared to the state's tax haul during December of 2017. Jeff Robinson is a senior fiscal analyst for the Iowa Legislative Services Agency. "Iowa net General Fund revenue continues to grow at a healthy pace, aided by the … [Read more...]
State tax credits awarded to businesses in Pella and Ankeny
The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board Friday awarded tax benefits to three companies for job creation and expansion projects. Spokesperson Jacque Matsen says a company formed in the Netherlands in 1948 plans to expand its operations in Pella. "Lely is a really interesting company, … [Read more...]
Supreme Court rules home improvement stores must pay tax on labor for installing toilets, other items
The Iowa Supreme Court says a home improvement store has to pay state sales tax for labor on some items purchased for homes. The Department of Revenue determined the Lowe's stores in the state should have been charging sales taxes on labor for the installation of windows and doors, faucets, … [Read more...]
Panel pegs state tax growth at 1.8% in next state budgeting year
The three members of a state forecasting board agree state tax receipts will grow, but not by much in the next 18 months. "In the eight weeks since we met last, little has changed economically. The underlying fundamentals of the national and state economy remain sound. The economy continues to be … [Read more...]
Final approval given to $2.5 million tax break for Prospect Meadows
A huge complex of 17 baseball and softball fields planned in eastern Iowa now has administrative approval for a $2.5 million state tax rebate. The development is in Marion and it's called Prospect Meadows. Legislators voted to give Prospect Meadows the same sales tax rebate offered to the … [Read more...]
Report says $130,000 spent in Waukee schools not in taxpayers’ best interest
A special investigation by the state auditor's office has identified $130,000 in spending in a central Iowa school district that was "not in the best interest of taxpayers." Auditors reviewed three-and-a-half years worth of records, flagging nearly $28,000 spent on furniture for the … [Read more...]
IRS says email scams are up dramatically this year
The Internal Revenue Service is highlighting the importance of keeping your tax information safe this week. IRS spokesman, Christopher Miller says "National Tax Security Awareness Week" is especially important based on the trend this year. "We're seeing a large increase in bogus email and … [Read more...]