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Starting an LLC in Iowa comes with more costs than just filing the initial paperwork. But it doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think.
We explain all of the initial and ongoing Iowa LLC cost details below, as well as give you tips on how to save money.
How much does an LLC cost in Iowa?
It costs $50 to form an LLC in Iowa. This is a fee paid for the Certificate of Organization.
You’ll file this form with the Iowa Secretary of State. And once approved, your LLC will go into existence.
Need to save time? Hire a company to form your LLC:
Northwest ($39 + state fee) or LegalZoom ($149 + state fee)
(Learn why Northwest is #1 in Northwest vs LegalZoom)
In addition to this LLC filing fee, there are other costs to be aware of when forming an Iowa LLC (Limited Liability Company).
Costs to forming an Iowa LLC
There is a $50 one-time state filing fee to form an Iowa LLC.
There are also ongoing fees (like a $30 Biennial Report fee and possible Business License fees), which we discuss below.
LLC Costs in Iowa
| Requirement | Cost |
|---|---|
| LLC Name | $0 |
| Registered Agent | $0 or $125 per year |
| Certificate of Organization | $50 |
| Operating Agreement | $0 (free on our site) |
| EIN Number | $0 (free through IRS) |
| Biennial Report | $30 (every 2 years) |
| Taxes | varies (filed and/or paid every year) |
Iowa LLC Certificate of Organization Filing Fee ($50)
Starting an LLC costs $50 in Iowa. This is the state filing fee for a document called the Iowa Certificate of Organization.
The Certificate of Organization is filed with the Iowa Secretary of State. And once approved, this is what creates your LLC.
The $50 fee is a one-time fee and the only LLC formation cost to register your Limited Liability Company with the state. You don’t have to pay any monthly (or annual) fees to start Iowa LLCs.
Note: LLCs are the most common business structure used in Iowa. They are the most popular business entity because they offer liability protection for the LLC owners.
Depending on the state, the Certificate of Organization form is sometimes called the Articles of Organization or Certificate of Formation. Certificate of Organization is the most common name in Iowa. But don’t worry, they all mean the same thing: the form used to create your LLC.
Iowa business name cost ($0)
Naming your Limited Liability Company doesn’t cost anything. Your Iowa LLC Name is approved (at no extra cost) when your Certificate of Organization filing is approved by the state.
You may have read online that LLC Name Reservations are required. However, this is not true in most states. Most states don’t require a Name Reservation to form an LLC.
How much does a DBA cost? (varies)
A DBA is filed with the county in Iowa. So the cost of a DBA varies depending on which county or counties your LLC operates in.
Note: A DBA is sometimes called a Trade Name, Fictitious Name, Assumed Name or Fictitious Business Name. They all mean the same thing.
Tip: You aren’t required to get a DBA for your LLC. It’s optional. For more information, read our article: Do I need a DBA?
Iowa Registered Agent Fee ($0 or $125/year)
Iowa law requires that you designate a Registered Agent when forming your LLC.
An Iowa Registered Agent is a person or company who receives legal documents and state notices for your LLC. A Registered Agent needs a street address in the state and should generally be available during normal business hours.
There is no additional cost if you will be your own Registered Agent, or have someone you know be your LLC’s Registered Agent. This could be one of your business partners, or a friend or family member.
However, you have the option of hiring a Registered Agent service. This will cost you between $100 to $300 per year. But Registered Agent service companies offer other helpful business services and can protect your privacy.
Hiring a Registered Agent service is a good idea if:
- You don’t have an address in the state (Iowa law requires Registered Agents to have a physical address in the state
- You want to keep your address off public record (depending on which company you hire, you may be able to use their address to keep your address private)
Special offer: Hire Northwest to form your LLC ($39 + state fee), and you'll get a free year of Registered Agent service.
(Why is Northwest the best? Read our Northwest Registered Agent review)
LLC Operating Agreement Fee ($0)
An Iowa LLC Operating Agreement is a written contract between the LLC Members. Operating Agreements include detailed information about LLC ownership, how the LLC is managed, and how profits are distributed.
Single-Member LLCs and Multi-Member LLCs should draft an Operating Agreement, keep it with their business records, and give a copy to each Member.
Most websites charge $50 to $200 for LLC Operating Agreements.
Here at LLC University®, we offer free LLC Operating Agreement templates for all types of LLCs.
LLC EIN Number Fee ($0)
An EIN Number is also known as an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN).
This number is used to file income taxes, to open an LLC bank account, and to hire employees (if applicable).
Although many websites charge a service fee to get an EIN for your LLC, it can actually be done for free.
You can obtain an EIN for your LLC from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at no cost. The online filing can be completed in a few minutes.
Iowa LLC Biennial Report Fee ($30 every 2 years)
Iowa requires you to keep your LLC’s information up to date by filing a Biennial Report, due every 2 years.
This keeps your Iowa LLC in good standing and in compliance with state law so it can continue operating. You simply confirm the information on the Biennial Report, file it with the Iowa Secretary of State, and pay the Biennial Report fee.
The Iowa LLC Biennial Report costs $30 when you file online.
This fee is paid every other year for the life of your LLC, so it’s one of the ongoing Iowa LLC costs.
Iowa Business License and Permit Fees (varies)
Depending on where your LLC does business in Iowa and the industry you’re in, you may need to obtain additional Business Licenses or Permits. The good news is Iowa doesn’t have a general state business license requirement. But you might need a state license for your specific business or occupation type, and you may need to get a City Business Permit.
The costs for these other business licenses or permits will vary depending on location and industry, but usually the fees are not very high. Some licenses and permits are issued at the state level, and others are issued by a municipality (the town, city, or county).
LLC Taxes (varies)
There are many different types of Iowa LLC taxes that owners must pay, so this annual cost varies widely.
Some of the taxes LLC owners pay include:
- Federal taxes
- State income tax
- Local income tax
- Business taxes
- Self-employment taxes
- Sales and use tax
- Payroll tax (if you have employees)
- Unemployment insurance tax (if you have employees)
- Property tax (if the LLC owns property)
Your Iowa LLC taxes depend on your industry and amount of business activity, so we’re not able to provide an estimate. Every business is different, and your specific circumstances determine what taxes apply to your LLC.
If your LLC must pay corporate income taxes, you’ll need to register with the Iowa Department of Revenue. This type of tax applies to any business entity in the state.
Note: By default, a Single-Member LLC is taxed like a Sole Proprietorship. And a Multi-Member LLC is taxed like a Partnership.
Hiring an Accountant
How much your small business pays in taxes is best determined by working with a qualified accountant in Iowa.
The amount you’ll pay your accountant will vary. However, most accountants will charge $300 per year for a simple tax return, or up to $900 for more detailed filings.
Note: We recommend speaking with a few accountants in Iowa to make sure they can help you meet all of your federal, state, and local tax obligations. We offer detailed tips on How to Find an Accountant.
Iowa Secretary of State
If you have any questions about the cost of opening an Iowa LLC, you can contact the state Business Services Division at the Iowa Secretary of State.
(Iowa Secretary of State, Business Services Building)
Iowa LLC Costs FAQs
How much does it cost to open an LLC in Iowa?
It costs $50 to start an Iowa LLC. This is a one-time filing fee for the LLC Certificate of Organization.
Some LLCs may need a business license in Iowa. This depends on your industry and where your LLC is located. The cost of local business permits varies.
How much does an LLC in Iowa cost per year?
If you hired a Registered Agent service, you’ll have an annual subscription fee to pay each year. This is usually about $125 per year.
All Iowa LLCs need to pay $30 for the Biennial Report. These state fees are paid to the Secretary of State every 2 years. You have to pay this to keep your LLC in good standing.
Some LLCs may need a business license in Iowa. This depends on your industry and where your LLC is located. You’ll need to check with your municipality to see if there are any annual renewal fees for the business permit.
Should I hire an LLC formation service?
You aren’t required to hire a professional service company to form your Iowa LLC. You’re allowed to complete the LLC formation process yourself if you’d like.
However, if you want to save time and make sure your LLC is filed correctly, we recommend hiring Northwest Registered Agent.
Northwest Registered Agent has excellent customer service and they include Registered Agent services free for the 1st year. They also offer other services, like an Operating Agreement and filing your Biennial Report.
Check out Best LLC Services for more suggestions.
Do I need to hire an attorney to form an LLC?
No, you aren’t required to hire an attorney to form your LLC in Iowa. You’re allowed to form your LLC yourself if you’d like.
However, some people may want to hire an attorney if their LLC has a complex ownership or management structure, has investors, or requires industry-specific documentation.
A business attorney usually charges between $800 and $2,500 to form an LLC.
How do I start an LLC in Iowa?
Here are the steps to starting an LLC in Iowa:
- Choose an LLC business name and make sure it’s available
- Choose who will be your Iowa Registered Agent
- File the Iowa Certificate of Organization
- Complete and sign an LLC Operating Agreement
- Get a Tax ID Number (EIN) from the IRS
- Open an LLC bank account
- Check whether you need a business or sales tax license in Iowa
What’s the cheapest way to start an LLC?
You can get an LLC cheaply by filing your formation documents yourself. You’ll also save money by being your own Registered Agent, and using our free LLC Operating Agreement template.
By forming your LLC yourself, being your own Registered Agent, and using our Operating Agreement template you can save over $400.
How long does it take to get an LLC in Iowa?
How long it takes to get an LLC in Iowa depends on how you file your Certificate of Organization.
You can get an LLC in Iowa approved in 1 business day if you file online. On the other hand, filing by mail takes about 7-10 business days (plus mail time).
How much does an Iowa business bank account cost?
It varies. Some banks charge monthly fees ($10 to $20 per month), but these can sometimes be avoided by meeting certain requirements. For example, if you make a certain number of direct deposits or maintain a specified minimum balance, then they’ll waive the monthly fees.
And you might be able to find a bank that doesn’t charge any monthly fees.
Before you open your LLC business bank account, we recommend calling and asking if there are ways to avoid the monthly maintenance fees.
How much is a Foreign LLC in Iowa?
A Foreign LLC is an LLC formed in another state that must register (aka Foreign Qualify) in Iowa. This is because the LLC is doing business in both states.
The Iowa Foreign LLC cost is $100. This is the fee to register an LLC in Iowa after it was formed in another state.
If you form an LLC in Iowa, it is called a “Domestic LLC”. If you formed your LLC in another state, it would be a Foreign LLC once you register it in Iowa.
Is Iowa a good state for an LLC?
Yes, Iowa is a great state to start a business. Iowa doesn’t charge a state business license fee, has quick approval times and helpful representatives at the Secretary of State if you have questions.
However, the most important factors in deciding where to start a business are where you live and where you’re doing business.
Meaning, if you live in or do business in Iowa, then you should start your business in Iowa. While many websites talk about tax rates and advantages of certain states, none of that applies if it’s not the state where you live and do business. And just because a certain state has cheaper LLC fees doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to form your LLC there.
For example, if you form an LLC in Delaware, but live in and conduct business in Iowa, you’ll also need to register your Delaware LLC in Iowa (and pay fees). And you’ll end up paying Iowa taxes anyway. This ends up leading to more costs and more headaches with no advantages.
In summary, if you are an Iowa resident, then yes, Iowa is the best state to form an LLC. If you don’t live in and do business in Iowa, then no, Iowa probably isn’t a good state to start an LLC.
References
Iowa Secretary of State: FAQs
Iowa Secretary of State: LLC Forms and Fees
Iowa SouceLink: Business License Navigator
Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in business from Drexel University with a concentration in business law. He performs extensive research and analysis to convert state laws into simple instructions anyone can follow to form their LLC - all for free! Read more about Matt Horwitz and LLC University.
At the bottom of the Certificate of Organization, it says
“IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Organizer has executed this Certificate of Organization on the date below.”
Does this mean I have to have someone else sign this as a witness or do I sign it?
Thank you,
Amber Barth
Hi Amber, nope. It’s just some old school legalese that’s used. It just means you’re signing as the LLC Organizer.