Do you own a business operating in the state of Iowa? If so, you may need to acquire licenses and permits to ensure that your company operates in a compliant fashion.
But how do you determine which permits and licenses you need (if any), and where do you acquire them? In this guide to Iowa business licenses and permits, we’ll answer all the tough questions about this process.
Rocket Tip: If you haven't yet started an LLC and want help getting business licenses and permits, some LLC services can help you take care of those requirements as part of their packages. LegalZoom and Incfile being the two most popular.
Are There Federal Licenses That My Business Needs?
First off, let’s discuss the matter of federal licenses and permits. There are many business activities that are regulated by various federal agencies, from agriculture to transportation and logistics. We recommend taking a look at the U.S. Small Business Administration’s guide to federal licenses and permits to make sure you’ve got your bases covered.
In addition, most businesses should acquire a federal tax ID number, also known as an EIN (employer identification number). This is essentially a social security number for your business, and it enables you to hire employees, pay business taxes, open business bank accounts, and more. You can acquire an EIN from the IRS for free.
What State-Level Licenses and Permits Apply in Iowa?
There is no general business license in the state of Iowa. However, you may still need one or more business licenses or permits in order to conduct business, depending on your location and the exact nature of your business activities.
The Iowa Source Link website is a great resource for information concerning business registration and licensing in the state. From this site, you can find out which departments manage each kind of license and see a complete list of commercial permits.
Occupational Licenses and Permits
The Iowa Workforce Development website provides a list of licensed occupations, as well as legal information regarding specific application requirements. Whether you want to be an acupuncturist or a taxi driver, you can find out how to register right here.
Environmental Licenses and Permits
Depending on the nature of your business, you may be required to obtain a license from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. This is especially true for businesses that produce chemical waste, air pollution, or water pollution. You can find out more on the department’s website.
Which Tax Registrations are Required for Iowa Businesses?
In addition to occupational licenses and permits, there are a number of state-level tax registrations, which are based on the industry you operate in and which business structure your company uses.
Every business needs to register for a state tax permit number. You may be required to register for one or more of the following state taxes:
- Sales Tax
- Consumer’s Use Tax
- Retailer’s Use Tax
- Withholding Tax
- Water Service Excise Tax
You can easily register for these taxes on the Department of Revenue website.
Iowa also has various tax requirements and tax credits that are specific to certain industries. For example, your business may be eligible for the Solar Energy Systems Tax Credit, or liable for the Ocean Marine Profit Tax. You can learn more about industry-specific tax requirements here.
Are There Local Licenses, Permits, or Registrations in Iowa?
The answer to this question obviously depends on where in Iowa you’re operating your business, but there are indeed quite a few licenses, permits, and tax registrations required by Iowa localities.
You will need to contact your local city or county clerk for more information on local licenses. Thankfully, some cities, like Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, and Sioux City have business resource websites where you can learn more about local licensing requirements.
If we were to break down the exact rules and regulations regarding permitting in every locality in the state of Iowa, this article would become excessively lengthy. With that in mind, we’ll simply say that every business owner should check with their local government to determine whether there are licenses, permits, or tax registrations required to operate in compliant fashion.
Can I Hire Someone to Research Licenses and Permits for My Business?
If this process sounds like a bit of a hassle, that’s because it certainly can be. If you would rather hire a reputable business services provider to handle this for you, that is always an option.
Companies like Incfile can research the necessary licenses and permits for your company on the federal, state, county, and municipal levels. They will then send you the applications you need to acquire these permits and licenses, meaning all you need to do is fill them out and mail them in.
Conclusion
There is no one-size-fits-all answer for the question of which licenses and permits your business might require to operate in the state of Iowa. Instead, it’s important that you know how to access the resources to determine which permits your company needs to operate in a compliant fashion.
We hope this article helped you to do just that, and we wish you good fortune in your business future!