Iowa: Sales Tax Handbook
How to get an Iowa Sales Tax Permit
In Iowa, most businesses are required to have a sales tax permit. This means that, if you are considering opening a new business or are beginning to make sales in Iowa for the first time, you will need to determine your business' permit requirements. The good news is that you can get an Iowa Sales Tax Permit and be ready to do business 4-6 weeks after you submit your application. This guide will help you learn how!
Who needs an Iowa Sales Tax Permit?
All businesses with a physical nexus in Iowa are required to apply for an Iowa sales tax permit before commencing operations in the state. Out of state businesses who have nexus in Iowa must register for an "Iowa retailer's use tax".
Businesses with a taxable presence within Iowa are considered to have sales tax nexus within the state. For more details on what constitutes a taxable presence, see sales tax nexus in Iowa.
How to get an Iowa Sales Tax Permit:
Once you submit your sales tax permit application online or via the printed application form you will receive a printed permit, permit identification number, and a Business Efile Number (BEN). If you have multiple locations in Iowa, you can consolidate all of your locations under one permit.
You need the following information to apply for an Iowa Sales Tax Permit:
Business entity type,
Personal identification info (SSN, address, etc.),
Business identification info (EIN, address, etc.),
Date you started making sales in Iowa,
Types of products or services sold
Iowa Sales Tax Permit Application Fee, Turnaround Time, and Renewal Info
You will need to pay an application fee when you apply for an Iowa Sales Tax Permit, and you will receive your permit 4-6 weeks after filing your application.
Application Fee: FREE
Turnaround Time: 4-6 weeks
Permit Renewals: No Renewals Needed
Apply For Your Iowa Sales Tax Permit Now:
Get Your Iowa Sales Tax Permit Online
You can easily acquire your Iowa Sales Tax Permit online using the Iowa Business Tax Online Registration System website. If you have quetions about the online permit application process, you can contact the Department of Revenue via the sales tax permit hotline (800) 367-3388 or by checking the permit info website 
.
Offline Iowa Sales Tax Permit Application Form
While generally slower than applying online, you can apply for a Iowa Sales Tax Permit for your business offline using Form 78-005, the "Iowa Business Tax Registration".
Form 78-005 can be downloaded from the Department of Revenue here .
Mail Completed Form 78-005 To:
Registration ServicesIowa Department of Revenue
PO Box 10470
Des Moines, IA 50306-0470
Or Fax to 515-281-3906, ATTN: Registration Services.
Alternately, you can fax Form 78-005 to the Department of Revenue at (515) 281-3906.
What's Next? Now that you know how to apply for your Iowa Sales Tax Permit, learn how to collect and remit the Iowa sales tax.
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