Budget & Taxes (Business Taxes)

This bill (HSB 324) requires credit and debit card networks to exclude sales tax amounts from the total transaction when calculating interchange fees charged to sellers. It directly affects retailers and businesses that collect sales tax on credit/debit card purchases, as they currently pay fees on the full transaction amount including tax. The key provision mandates that payment networks either deduct tax amounts from interchange fees at settlement or provide rebates proportional to the tax portion. This change aims to reduce costs for sellers by ensuring they are not charged fees on tax amounts collected for the government. The bill also includes penalties for non-compliance and a process for sellers to claim rebates if tax wasn't captured at checkout.

This bill adjusts property tax rates for Iowa counties, directly affecting local governments and property owners. It sets new tax rate formulas for general and rural county services, requiring counties to maintain tax revenue at least 1.5% above the prior year’s actual collections (with exceptions for inflation). The rates are tied to the consumer price index, adjusting the maximum allowable tax increase based on inflation thresholds (e.g., 4-6% inflation triggers a 103% adjustment factor). These changes apply to fiscal years starting July 1, 2024, through 2028, with specific rules for 2026-2027 budget cycles.