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Resources for Starting a Business in Iowa
Business Entity Formation
Business entities are formed by registration with the Iowa Secretary of State.
Limited Liability Company
Filing a Domestic LLC (for profit company, first registered in Iowa) is a $50 initial filing fee, $45 annual fee, and may not be submitted online. Expedited service is not available. Biennial reports are required. Standard organization forms are not provided, however the minimum requirements are listed.
Filing a Foreign LLC (for profit company, first registered elsewhere) is a $100 initial filing fee, $45 annual fee, and may not be submitted online. Expedited service is not available. Biennial reports are required.
Corporation
Filing a Domestic Corporation (for profit company, first registered in Iowa) is a $50 initial filing fee, $45 annual fee, and may not be submitted online. Expedited service is not available. Biennial reports are required. Standard organization forms are not provided, however the minimum requirements are listed.
Filing a Foreign Corporation (for profit company, first registered elsewhere) is a $100 initial filing fee, $45 annual fee, and may not be submitted online. Expedited service is not available. Biennial reports are required.
Sole Proprietor
A sole proprietor business does not require registration with the state.
DBA (Doing Business As) or Fictitious Business Name
Iowa allows individuals and businesses to register a fictitious business name. Corporations and LLCs file DBAs with the Iowa Secretary of State. Sole Propreitorships file at the local level. level. For more information on DBAs in Iowa visit this website.
Business Licenses
Some business licenses in Iowa are issued at the state level, others at the local level. For more information on business licenses in Iowa visit their website.
Professional Licenses
There are a number of professions that require a state license in Iowa. For more information on professional licenses, visit this website. Also check the license search at this location.
State Income Tax
Iowa does have a state income tax for individuals. Iowa does have a state income tax for corporations. Visit this website for more information on business income taxes in Iowa.
Iowa does not have a franchise tax for corporations. Franchise tax is only imposed on certain business types.
State Sales Tax
Iowa does have a state sales tax. Visit this website for more information on sales taxes in Iowa. Apply for an Iowa sales tax permit here. This application applies for all Iowa tax types.
Employer Assistance
The state of Iowa administers labor and employment issues through the Iowa Division of Labor Services.
Unemployment Insurance
Unemployment insurance information for employers in Iowa is available at this website. All employers who are subject to Iowa’s Unemployment Insurance Law are required to submit the quarterly Employer’s Contribution & Payroll Report and to pay contributions due.
Unemployment insurance information for workers in Iowa is available at this location.
Workers' Compensation
Information for employers in Iowa regarding Worker's Compensation is available from the Iowa Division of Worker's Compensation website. The Workers’ Compensation law requires most employers to provide benefits to eligible employees who have injuries arising out of and in the course of employment.
Occupational Health & Safety
Iowa provides Occupational Health & Safety support through Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Enforcement. Visit their website. This agency investigates safety and health complaints in construction and general industry, fatalities/catastrophes and performs general scheduled inspections.