Muscatine County Recorder and Assessor: DD-214 Copies, the Military Exemption and the Disabled Veteran Credit
The Muscatine County Recorder (414 E Third St., Suite 103, Muscatine) keeps veterans’ discharge papers and gives copies only to the veteran or immediate family on its application; the Assessor takes the military property tax exemption and the disabled veteran homestead credit (with the homestead form 54-028), both filed by July 1.
Also called: Recorder, Military Records, DD-214, DD214, discharge papers, Application for Certified Copy of Military Record, Assessor, Military Tax Exemption, Disabled Veteran, Disabled Veteran’s Homestead Tax Credit, 54-028, July 1, 426A, 427.3, 425.15, Muscatine, Wilton, West Liberty, Nichols, Atalissa, Conesville, Fruitland, Stockton.
The Recorder's Military Records page. "In the State of Iowa, discharge papers are normally filed in the County where the veteran resides or owns property. Only the veteran or an immediate family member are entitled to obtain a copy of a military discharge." To get a copy, complete the Application for Certified Copy of Military Record and mail it to the Muscatine County Recorder, 414 E Third St., Suite 103, Muscatine, Iowa 52761. "If you cannot locate the DD-214, you may request a copy" from the National Personnel Records Center, 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138 (fax a letter or Standard Form 180 to 314-801-9195). Iowa keeps recorded discharges confidential (Iowa Code 331.608(6), the Iowa entries).
The Assessor's Credits and Exemptions page. "Military Tax Exemption: Qualification is determined based on residency, type of discharge and time served. Military veterans including Iowa National Guard and United States Reservists may qualify. Contact the County Assessors' Office for additional information. Applications must be made with the Assessor on or before July 1 of the year the exemption is first claimed. The exemption remains in effect until the property owner is no longer eligible." (Iowa Code chapter 426A.) "Disabled Veteran: The included Homestead Tax Exemption (54-028) form must be submitted with your Disabled Veteran tax credit application." Deadline July 1; permanent once granted. The amounts and the service and rating tests are the State's (the Iowa entries).
How the Board handles them. Each July the Board approves the Assessor's lists; on July 13, 2026 it allowed the new homestead, 65+ and military applications and approved or denied the 2026 disabled veteran's homestead tax credit applications as the Assessor recommended. On May 4, 2026 it approved a 2025 disabled veteran's credit the Assessor's office had processed wrongly; the Assessor told it the error "cannot be refunded or corrected for taxes that the owners have paid but the proposed approval will allow for a credit for the future."
Thresholds
Thresholds for Muscatine County Recorder and Assessor: DD-214 Copies, the Military Exemption and the Disabled Veteran Credit
Gate
Rule
A veteran with a DD-214
Discharge copies and the military exemption turn on the discharge and service, not a rating; the disabled veteran credit follows the State’s rating test. File by July 1.
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Disclaimer
VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.