Ask Mr. Answer Person: "Does Alliant Energy actually pay property taxes in Decorah?"

(Nel asks, "If Alliant Energy claims it 'paid $161,000 in property taxes (in Decorah) in fiscal year 2015-2016,' why doesn't the county's Beacon software show any property tax payments by Alliant?")

Mr. Answer Person says: "You are right that Alliant Energy didn't pay any property taxes--according to the County Assessor's software.  But what utilities in Iowa DO PAY are excise taxes and something called a 'gas and electric utility property tax replacement tax.'

It turns out that Chapter 437A of Iowa Code specifies that property taxes for gas and electric utilities will be calculated by the State of Iowa itself--not by local governments.  That's why there are no property tax amounts showing on Winneshiek county's software.

But if you go to the Iowa Treasurer's website, you can get copies of the property tax bills for utilities in each county.  The copy of Alliant's bill shows them paying $160,991 per year or $80,495.50 per installment.

 Alliant's claim that they paid $161,000 in 'property taxes' in 2015-2016 is TRUE.