Business requirements
SBA’s Business Guide lists the requirements needed to start, grow, and expand your business. Since laws and taxes vary by state, here’s what you need to do before starting your business in our area.
Business name and registration
Register your business name with the county clerk where your business is located. If you are a corporation, you will also need to register with the Secretary of State.(Link is external)
Business licensing and zoning
Licenses are typically administered by a variety of state and local departments. It is important to consider zoning regulations when choosing a site for your business. Contact the local business license office where you plan to locate your business.
Taxes
Iowa Taxpayer Assistance Centers(Link is external)
210 Walnut St.
Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: 515-564-6618(Link opens phone app)
Iowa Department of Revenue(Link is external)
1305 E. Walnut St.
Des Moines, IA 50319
Phone: 800-367-3388(Link opens phone app)
Health and safety
Iowa Division of Labor(Link is external)
150 Des Moines St.
Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: 515-242-5870(Link opens phone app)
U.S. Department of Labor OSHA(Link is external)
210 Walnut St., Room 643
Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: 515-657-4960(Link opens phone app)
State small business profiles
Need information on the local business landscape? SBA's Office of Advocacy has the latest demographic and statistics on local small business economic activity.
Local assistance
Need help? Get free business counseling in your area.SBA lending in our area
-
Loan programs
Learn more about SBA's 7(a) loans, 504 loans, and microloans that you can use for your business. -
Lender Match
Describe your business needs and get matched with an SBA-backed lender in your area. -
Lending activity reports
View 7(a) and 504 lending activity reports from our district.
Additional local resources
- State of Iowa Website(Link is external)
- Office of the Governor(Link is external)
- State Agency Resources(Link is external)
- Iowa Business Entity Filings(Link is external)
- State Library of Iowa(Link is external)
- City of Des Moines Website(Link is external)
- Des Moines Public Library(Link is external)
- Cedar Rapids Public Library(Link is external)
Download our guide to SBA resources
Learn about the opportunities available for small businesses nationwide.