Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve compiled answers to our most frequently asked questions to help you get the answers you need as quickly and painlessly as possible. If you have more in-depth questions, scheduling a free counseling appointment is the best way to get your questions answered. 

About America's SBDC Iowa

Established in 1981, America’s SBDC Iowa provides no cost, confidential, customized business counseling in all 99 Iowa counties to entrepreneurs and existing small businesses. We also present affordable workshops that teach practical skills and techniques, conduct research, provide comprehensive information services, and offer access to subject matter experts in a variety of fields.

Our program is a public-private partnership that leverages the resources of government, higher education, and the business community to assist Iowa’s businesses to grow and be successful.

Our 15 regional business assistance centers are hosted by the three Iowa Regent institutions, and eleven community colleges, all coordinated through the state center at Iowa State University. Each regional center encourages unique local efforts, region to region and community to community, to meet small business needs throughout the state.

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Our Services

The Iowa SBDC offers customized and confidential business counseling to Iowa small business owners and entrepreneurs at no cost. Our business counselors can help you work through your business questions and connect you with additional local resources. 

Learn about our services!

The Iowa SBDC offers counseling in all stages of business. All you need to get started is a list of concerns you would like help with. 

To schedule your appointment, fill out a business counseling application. 

Our counselors will work to contact you within 2-3 business days of submitting your business counseling application. You can expect them to schedule your appointment within 2 weeks of them contacting you. 

All of our business counseling services are at no cost to the business owner. You will not have to pay anything to receive counseling from our experts. 

Our business counselors will work with you to find the best method of delivering counseling. 

At this time, counseling can be provided in person, through video counseling, or over the phone. Generally, our counselors prefer to do initial meetings in person or through video conference.

The Iowa SDBC has 15 regional centers across the state of Iowa. Refer to our locations tab to find your nearest center. 

Starting a Business

The Secretary of State and IASourceLink provide great resources on forming a business entity in Iowa. You may also consult the business services tab for more information. 

It is possible to form a new business entity without the assistance or advice of an attorney, accountant, or other business professional. However, there are many different tax and legal implications to each choice of entity. Therefore, we strongly recommend you receive professional assistance before starting a business. 

To receive no-cost, personalized, confidential business counseling, request counseling. 

Generally, when your business is regulated by an Iowa licensing board or authority, you will need to acquire a license to conduct business in Iowa. 

Most retail businesses will only need a sales tax permit. Professional services and food businesses, restaurants, grocery stores, and bars all need special permits and licenses to conduct business. 

Any business having employees will need an Employer Identification Number and an Iowa withholding registration. 

Each type of business and form of business entity has unique requirements. We would recommend you receive business counseling from your nearest SBDC to address your specific concerns. 

You can also visit IASourceLink and the Iowa Department of Revenue to learn more. 

The state of Iowa does not have a “general” business license. Instead, Iowa regulates the activity of your business or profession. 

The forms you will need to file are very dependent on the type of entity you are and what industry you are operating in. 

For instance, restaurants need food licenses and alcohol serving permits. If your business will have employees and pay wages, you will need an Employer Identification Number and an Iowa Withholding Tax Registration. Certain types of businesses need other permits. 

To determine the permits needed by your business, request business counseling from your nearest SBDC. 

A business needs an Iowa sales tax permit if it is selling products or services that have been specified as taxable by Iowa law.

Businesses can apply for an Iowa sales tax permit. 

The Larned A. Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center

Iowa Legal Aid

Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines

U.S. Department of Labor

eLaws Advisors

Employment Law Guide

Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing 

Getting Assistance

The Iowa SBDC does not offer financing for small businesses. Our counselors can help you search for open grants that you qualify for and help you craft your application. Our counselors can also connect you with lenders who offer loans and assist you in putting together your loan proposals. 

Small Business Development Centers: If you have an SBDC center in your area, we are an excellent place to start. Most of our services are free and all are confidential. We can help you find available loans and grants, as well as help you work on your funding applications. 

Chambers of Commerce: Some chambers have loan programs that are for main street or manufacturing businesses. Chambers should know about other financing sources in their area.

Councils of Government or Regional Planning Offices: These are organized to serve city and county governments in a regional area and sometimes manage funds for business loans.

Iowa Economic Development Authority: This organization has several financing programs that can result in a direct loan or grant for businesses that meet the criteria for their programs.

Our business counselors do not offer legal advice, but we can connect you with legal resources, including low-cost options.

The Drake Entrepreneurial Clinic provides low-cost services to non-profits and entrepreneurs. 

Iowa Legal Aid has low-cost legal services for certain individuals and businesses in the state of Iowa. 

Schedule an appointment with one of our counselors. You can get personalized answers to your small business questions by meeting with one of our business counselors. 

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