Iowa Sales and Use Tax

What is the Iowa sales tax?    6%

Click for larger image The Iowa sales tax rate is currently 6%. In Iowa, each county, city and special district can add sales taxes on top of the state rate.

Taxes in Iowa are destination-based, meaning the Iowa sales tax rate is based, or determined from, the destination location an item is shipped to. This complicates business for retailers who need to have the exact and up-to-date sales tax rate for every shipment they make.

To see a full breakout of Iowa sales tax rates by state, county, city and special district, use our easy Iowa sales tax calculator. After putting in any ZIP code, you can enter a retail price to calculate Iowa sales tax totals.

What is the Iowa use tax?

The Iowa state use tax rate is the same as the state rate, but there is no use tax collected for county, city or special districts.

If you reside in IA, use tax is due to the state on any and all transactions where sales tax has not been paid, even out-of-state internet sales.

Who has to pay Iowa sales tax or use tax?

In general, a business must collect and remit all applicable Iowa sales taxes if that business has nexus, a physical presence such as a brick-and-mortar location, within a given state. The presence of an employee or salesperson, delivery by the seller's vehicle, and storage of materials usually establishes nexus as well.

Iowa says that an out-of-state seller is required to collect tax if they can be defined as "retailers maintaining a place of business". Iowa does not currently have additional laws establishing nexus for other reasons such as out-of-state businesses using in-state affiliates, advertisers or vendors, or businesses that make internet sales or mail catalogs.

If you are not sure if you have established nexus in Iowa, you can usually get free help by contacting the Iowa Department of Revenue. Click here for an updated listing of direct phone numbers. You could also contact a qualified certified public accountant or lawyer who specializes in tax law in Iowa. Click here for listing of recommended resources.

Special rules applying to Iowa:

• Shipping is not taxable if separately stated and other specific terms are met.
• Finance charges are exempt from sales tax, when stated separately.
• Clothing is taxed at the same rate as the general sales tax.
• Iowa Sales tax holidays are held for some back to school items .

Since Iowa legislators can vote to change the Iowa sales tax and use tax rates at any time, it is very difficult for individuals to keep track of the changes. The population of IA state is also rapidly changing, which can cause frequent updates to the ZIP codes and local municipality names and complicates the job of keeping track of Iowa sales tax jurisdictions.

Iowa Department of Revenue
Iowa State Website