Iowa
LLC, Business License, Incorporation
With the 30th largest population in the United States, Iowa services both large and small businesses. Iowa's major industries include agriculture and manufacturing. Regardless of your industry, we can help you take advantage of Iowa's business services.
Forming a Corporation in Iowa
Each state has its own set of rules for businesses seeking to form a corporation there. If you've decided to incorporate in Iowa, incorporate.com will take care of all the details. We'll research the availability of your company name and help you prepare and file your Articles of Incorporation with the Iowa Secretary of State. We can also assist with many of your follow-up needs such as amendment filings, written consents, and annual report preparation and filing.
Here are some helpful facts about Iowa's incorporation requirements:
Corporate Name Requirements
Iowa requires corporations to have names that can't be confused with any corporate, assumed corporate, not-for-profit, limited partnership, LLC, reserved, or registered names. When you incorporate with incorporate.com's help, we'll research your company name to make sure it meets Iowa's standards.
Permitted designations: Iowa corporate names may be followed by several approved designations, including:
- Co.
- Company
- Corp.
- Corporation
- Inc.
- Incorporated
- Limited
- Ltd.
Filing Requirements
Remember, when you work with incorporate.com, we'll take care of your incorporation filing for you. This information is presented only for your reference.
Required documents: The state of Iowa requires businesses to file Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State.
Turnaround time: In general, turnaround time for incorporating a business in Iowa is 7-10 business days.
Follow-up filings: Not required.
Officers/Directors Information
Minimum number: Corporations are required to have one or more directors.
Director qualifications: Qualifications may be prescribed by the Articles of Incorporation or bylaws. A director does not have to be a resident of Iowa or a shareholder unless so prescribed in the articles or bylaws.
Appearance in articles: Not required. Directors' names and addresses do not have to appear in the Articles of Incorporation.
Written consent: Permitted. Directors may act in writing in lieu of holding a meeting.
Annual Reports
Time to file: Corporations must file biennial reports with the Iowa Secretary of State between January 1 and April 1 on even numbered calendar years.
Turnaround time: Turnaround time at the state is between 3 and 4 business days.
Signatures: Only company officers are authorized to sign biennial reports. Emailed or faxed signatures are accepted.
Filing extensions: Not permitted.
Forming an LLC in Iowa
Each state has its own set of requirements for businesses that plan on forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) there. If you decide to form an LLC in Iowa, incorporate.com will take care of all the details. We'll research the availability of your company name and help you prepare and file your Certificate of Organization with the Iowa Secretary of State. We can also take care of many of your company's follow-up needs, including annual report preparation and filing.
Here are some helpful facts about Iowa's LLC requirements:
LLC Name Requirements
Iowa requires Limited Liability Companies to have names that can't be confused with any other limited liability company, limited partnership, corporate, reserved, or nonprofit corporate name. When you form your LLC with incorporate.com's help, we'll research your company name to make sure it meets Iowa's standards.
Permitted designations: Iowa LLC names may be followed by several approved designations, including:
- L.C.
- L.L.C.
- LLC
- Limited Company
- Limited Liability Company
Filing Requirements
Required documents: Companies that wish to form an LLC in Iowa must file a Certificate of Organization. Remember, when you work with incorporate.com, we'll take care of this filing for you.
Turnaround time: In general, turnaround time for forming an LLC in Iowa is 7-10 business days.
Follow-up filing: Not required.
Managers/Members Information
Minimum number: LLCs are required to have one or more managers/members.
Principal Office Location:
Iowa permits LLC's principal office to be located outside of the state.
Annual Reports
Frequency of filing: Biennially (every other year).
Time to file: LLCs must file their biennial report with the Iowa Secretary of State between January 1 and April 1 of odd-numbered calendar years.
Signatures: Emailed or faxed signatures are accepted.
Get Iowa Business Licenses
Before your business can legally begin to operate, you must satisfy its license, permit, and tax registration requirements. Almost all state, county, and local governments require businesses to obtain one or more licenses and permits. Additionally, selling taxable goods and services or hiring employees requires that you register with tax authorities. All business license, permit, and tax registration requirements vary by your industry and location.
Examples of possible licenses required in Iowa:
- Raffle License
- Hotel/Motel Tax License
- Nurse Agency License
Too busy to research your licensing requirements? We can help.
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Incorporate in any state, starting as low as
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