Iron-doped Sn_1-xFe_xO₂(x = 0.0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.33) thin films on Si(100) substrates and powders were prepared by a chemical solution process. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the Sn_1-xFe_xO₂ thin films and powders showed a polycrystalline rutile tetragonal structure. Thermo gravimetric (TG) - differential thermal analysis (DTA) showed the final weight loss above 430 ^oC for all powder samples. According to XRD Rietveld refinement of the powders, the lattice parameters and unit cell volume decreased with increasing Fe content. The magnetic properties were characterized using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The thin film samples with x = 0.1 and 0.2 showed paramagnetic properties but thin films with x = 0.33 exhibited ferromagnetic properties at room temperature. Mössbauer studies revealed the Fe³⁺ valence state in the samples. The ferromagnetism in the samples can be interpreted in terms of the direct ferromagnetic coupling of ferric ions via an electron trapped in a bridging oxygen deficiency, which can be explained using the Fcenter exchange model.