- Federal Resources
- State Resources
- County Resources
- City Resources
- Other Federal Resources
- Personal Resources
Federal Resources
Federal - Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
- Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN):
Obtain your FEIN online - Internet: Starting a Business
- Federal tax information, forms and publications
Call: 1.800.829.3676
Internet - Answers to your business questions
Call: 1.800.829.4933 - Presentations and workshops in Iowa
Call: 515-564-6837
State Resources
Iowa Department of Revenue (IDR)
- Tax permits for sales, use, motor fuel, hotel/motel, automobile rental, withholding
- Iowa tax information, publications, and forms
- Register to withhold Iowa income tax and/or make estimated tax payments
- Classes about Iowa taxes
Find Out About These Tax Benefits for Small Businesses:
- Income tax deduction for hiring ex-offenders
- Income tax deduction for hiring persons with disabilities
- New jobs tax credit
- Assistive device tax credit
- Property rehabilitation tax credit
- Investment tax credit
- Franchise tax credit
- Research activities tax credit
- Seed capital tax credit
- Capital gain deduction for certain businesses
- Motor fuel tax credit
- Tax exemption for purchase of machinery and equipment used in agricultural production
- Any of more than 150 separate exemptions from sales tax provided by the Iowa Code
Contacting IDR
- Internet
- TaxFax: 1-800-572-3943
- Mail: Taxpayer Services, Iowa Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 10457, Des Moines IA 50306-0457
- Call:
From the Des Moines calling area or out of state: 515.281.3114
From elsewhere in Iowa or from the Omaha or Rock Island-Moline calling areas: 1.800.367.3388
Iowa Tax Classes
The Iowa Department of Revenue conducts hundreds of classes to thousands of taxpayers and business owners each year. Check the Web site for the latest class schedule or call 515.281.5722 to schedule a customized class for your business.
Iowa Workforce Development (IWD)
Contact Information
E-mail
Web site
One-stop resource for Iowa businesses to find workforce information and solutions
Unemployment Insurance online filing of
quarterly Employer's Contribution & Payroll Report and
payment of Unemployment Insurance (UITS)
UITS assists employers by calculating taxable wages and contributions due based on information provided. Employers can pay their Unemployment Insurance contributions by eCheck, credit card (MasterCard only) or paper check with a payment remittance voucher. Use of the system is voluntary for employers.
Mail: Iowa Workforce Development, 1000 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines IA 50319-0209
Fax: (515) 242-6074
Iowa Secretary of State
Information for corporations, nonprofit corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability companies, and state trademarks
Contacting Secretary of State
- Internet
- Mail: Iowa Secretary of State, Lucas Building, 1st Floor, 321 E. 12th St., Des Moines, IA 50319
- Call: 515.281.5204
Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT)
- Motor vehicle dealership information and licensing
- Information for trucking businesses
- Information concerning vehicles subject to registration
Contacting DOT general information
- Internet:
Home page
Motor Vehicle Services - Mail: Iowa Dept. of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division, Park Fair Mall, 100 Euclid Avenue, Des Moines IA 50306
- Call: 515.239.1101 or in Iowa 1.800.532.1121
Iowa Department of Agriculture
- Regulatory information for food-related and animal-related businesses
- Information concerning weights and measures
- Information for commercial grain storage and grain sales businesses
Contacting the Department of Agriculture
- Internet
- Mail: Iowa Dept. of Agriculture, Wallace State Office Building, 502 E. 9th St., Des Moines, IA 50319
- Call: 515.281.5321
Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA)
- Inspect and license food establishments, including restaurants, and grocery and convenience stores
- Inspect and license hotels and motels
- License social and charitable gambling activities, including bingo and raffles
- Certify targeted small businesses
- Inspect and license/certify long-term care facilities, and medical providers and suppliers
Contacting DIA:
- Internet
- Mail: Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, Lucas State Office Building, 321 East 12th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0083
- Telephone: (515) 281-7102
- Fax: (515) 242-6863
Iowa Department of Commerce
- Licensing for retail and wholesale sales of alcoholic liquor, wine and beer
Call: 515.281.7430 - Information concerning rates and services of certain electric, gas, phone and water utilities
Call: 515.281.5979 - Oversees “Relay Iowa,” which provides communication access for persons with hearing or speech impairments
Call: 515.281.5979 - Problem resolution and information concerning insurance for small businesses
Call: 515.281.5705 - Assistance to small businesses concerning the sale of stock
Call: 515.281.4441 - Licensing for the following professions: Certified Public Accountants; Accounting Practitioners; Architects; Engineers and Land Surveyors; Landscape Architects; Real Estate Brokers; Real Estate Salespersons; Real Estate Appraisers
Call: 515.281.7393 - Regulation of state chartered banks, finance companies, mortgage brokers and others in the business of delivering financial products and services; source of public inquiry from users of financial services
Call: 515.281.4014
Contacting Commerce for general information
- Internet
- Mail: Iowa Department of Commerce, 1918 S.E. Hulsizer Avenue, Ankeny IA 50021
Iowa Department of Public Health
- Licenses: athletic trainers, barbers and cosmetologists, chiropractors, podiatrists, optometrists, hearing aid dealers, speech pathologists and audiologists, morticians, massage and physical and occupational therapists, psychologists, respiratory care practitioners, social workers
Contacting Public Health
- Internet
- Mail: Lucas State Office Building, 321 E. 12th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-0075
- Call: 515.281.7689
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
- Water and air quality regulatory information for manufacturers
- Information concerning sales of Household Hazardous Materials
Contacting DNR general information
- Internet
- Mail: Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources, Wallace State Office Building, 502 E. 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319
- Call: 515.281.5918
County Resources
County Governments
- Local ordinances, licensing, and zoning regulations
- Cigarette and liquor license applications
- Property tax information
- Building permits
Ask About These Tax Benefits for Small Businesses:
- Urban revitalization tax exemption
- Tax provision for purchase of computers
- Special tax provisions for purchase of industrial machinery and equipment
- Partial exemption of actual value added to industrial real estate, research-service facilities, warehouses, and distribution centers
- Exemption for pollution control devices
Contacting county governments
See your local telephone directory for phone numbers and mailing addresses.
Internet:
List of county Web sites
Iowa Association of Counties
County Recorder
- Information for sole proprietorships and simple partnerships
- Certificates of Assumed Name (if doing business under a name other than your own)
County Treasurer
- Property tax information
- Vehicle registration
Contacting county treasurers
See your local telephone directory for phone numbers and mailing addresses.
City Resources
- Building permits
- Programs available for business expansion or new business or development projects
- Loans and grants
- Training programs
Contacting city governments
See your local telephone directory for phone numbers and mailing addresses.
Internet:
List of city Web sites
List of city directories
Other Federal Resources
Federal Trade Commission
- Promote competition, protect consumers
Contacting the FTC
- Call: 202.326.2222
- Internet
- Contact options
- Mail: Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580
Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms
- Manufacture or sales of firearms
Contacting the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
U.S. Department of Labor
- Federal labor laws
Contacting the U.S. Department of Labor
- Call: 515.284.4625
- Internet
- Wage and Hour Division
- A numerical listing of the regulations enforced by the Wage and Hour Division
- Information about the employment of minors
U.S. Department of Commerce
- Economic development, exporting, tariffs
Contacting the U.S. Department of Commerce
- Call: 202.482.2000
- Internet
- Mail: U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20230
Personal Resources
Your Community Bank or Credit Union
Your Attorney’s Office
- Legal advice and representation
Your Accountant’s Office
- Bookkeeping advice or service
Your Insurance Agent
- Loss and liability protection
A University or College Business Center Program
- Business plans
- General assistance
78-597 (09/29/09)
Iowa Department of Revenue