This bill makes tax exemptions for nuclear power facilities, web search portals, and data centers contingent on funding nuclear engineering programs at Iowa's public universities. Specifically, businesses receiving these exemptions must contribute at least 5% of their annual tax exemption value to state universities with nuclear engineering programs. If they fail to contribute, they lose their tax exemption eligibility and must repay all previously claimed exemptions. The bill directly affects new or expanded facilities in these sectors (with construction dates starting in 2027 for data centers and web portals) and requires annual contributions tied to their tax savings.
This bill (HSB 730) amends Iowa's workforce housing tax incentive program to specifically include rehabilitation projects. It defines a "rehabilitation project" as one rehabilitating dilapidated housing (with minimum unit requirements) for resale as primary residences, and sets aside $5 million annually for such projects - $2.5 million reserved for small cities. The bill increases the annual tax incentive cap from $35-$36.5 million to $40 million, limits total incentives per housing business to $1 million, and removes first-come, first-served allocation. It directly affects developers of workforce housing rehabilitation projects, particularly those in small cities seeking tax incentives.
HF 2390 changes how Iowa's economic development authority issues tax incentives for workforce housing projects. It removes a requirement that incentives be issued on a first-come, first-served basis until the annual budget limit is reached. Instead, the authority can now determine when a project is complete and meets requirements before issuing incentives, continuing until the maximum allowable amount is achieved. This bill directly affects developers of workforce housing projects seeking tax incentives under the program and takes effect immediately upon enactment.
SF 2301 creates Iowa's "EDGE Program" (Headquarters Expansion and Development for Growth and Employment), which offers tax incentives to eligible businesses that retain or establish corporate headquarters in the state. It directly affects businesses in advanced manufacturing, bioscience, insurance/finance, technology, or R&D - requiring them to generate over 50% of revenue outside Iowa, offer comprehensive employee benefits, and demonstrate state-level competition for their headquarters. Key mechanisms include tax credits tied to creating new corporate jobs (e.g., strategic roles at headquarters) or retaining existing ones at risk, with incentives calculated based on qualifying wage thresholds in the local area. The bill also repeals older programs like the New Jobs Tax Credit and Industrial New Jobs Training Program while establishing new funds for electric transmission planning.
HF 2661 establishes four new Iowa economic development programs targeting the game industry. It creates an interactive digital entertainment tax credit (up to 30% of qualified spending, with a 5% bonus for "made in Iowa" projects), a game studio investment matching program offering forgivable loans matching private investments dollar-for-dollar (capped at $20 million annually), and a game industry fellowship program providing $150,000-$200,000 annual grants to relocate experienced professionals for two years. The programs require qualified developers to maintain physical presence and payroll in Iowa, with all tax credits and grants limited to a $20 million annual cap. These provisions directly affect Iowa-based game developers, studios, and experienced industry professionals seeking relocation.
This bill creates the "EDGE Program" to incentivize businesses with global presence to establish or retain corporate headquarters in Iowa by offering tax credits for creating or retaining high-wage jobs. To qualify, businesses must generate over 51% of revenue outside Iowa, operate in qualifying sectors (like tech or bioscience), and provide comprehensive employee benefits. The bill repeals several existing programs, including the New Jobs Tax Credit and Major Economic Growth Attraction Program, while establishing a new fund for electric transmission system planning. It also creates a separate "Business Incentives for Growth Program Training Fund" to support workforce development.
HF 2688 requires data centers in Iowa that claim sales tax exemptions or refunds to invest 5% of the value of those exemptions/refunds from the previous year into qualifying businesses or innovation funds. This applies directly to data center businesses using specific tax exemptions under sections 423.3 and 423.4. If they fail to meet this investment requirement, the state cancels their tax exemption eligibility and requires them to repay all claimed exemptions/refunds as regular tax payments. The bill also updates annual reporting requirements for data centers to include details on exempt purchases and tax refunds starting in 2027.
This bill establishes the "EDGE Program" (Headquarters Expansion and Development for Growth and Employment), offering tax incentives to eligible businesses that expand or retain corporate headquarters in Iowa. It directly affects businesses in advanced manufacturing, bioscience, technology, or finance that generate over 50% of revenue outside Iowa, maintain comprehensive employee benefits, and prove competing states are vying for their headquarters. Key provisions require businesses to document global presence, avoid simple intra-state relocations, and meet specific wage thresholds based on local labor data. The bill also repeals several existing tax credit programs, including the New Jobs Tax Credit and Major Economic Growth Attraction Program, while creating a new fund for business incentives training.
HF 2017 creates a new Iowa tax credit equal to 100% of the federal work opportunity tax credit (from IRS Section 51) for individual and corporate income taxes. It applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2026, and affects Iowa employers who hire individuals facing barriers to employment, as defined by the federal program. The credit reduces tax liability but is non-refundable; any unused portion can be carried forward to offset taxes in the following year. The bill includes retroactive application starting January 1, 2026.
This bill establishes a 102% cap on annual property tax increases for local governments (excluding school districts) by limiting new tax levies to 102% of the prior year's certified tax amount, adjusted for voter-approved levies. It creates a new residential property tax exemption of up to $25,000 in taxable value for homeowners (effective 2026), excluding school district taxes. The bill also updates disclosure requirements, mandating annual mailed statements to property owners by March 15 showing tax details and limiting county/city taxes if reports are late. These changes apply retroactively to assessment years beginning January 1, 2026.
