Plan for Des Moines, IA

Des Moines Business Filing Deadlines & Ongoing Requirements

What a business in Des Moines keeps doing after it opens: recurring filings, renewals and the events that trigger new obligations. Change the business details to fit yours.

Your businessThe plan below updates as you change these.
Details

Where Des Moines, IA filings and renewals are tracked

City of Des MoinesNo official page confirmed either way yet. Checked 2026-10-15.
Warren CountyNo official page confirmed either way yet.
File and renew with these Iowa agencies

Official sources: www.dsm.city

Renewals, filing triggers and recurring deadlines in Des Moines

12 items in your plan repeat on a schedule. Each one lists its authority and when it comes due.

Recurring filings and renewals

  • File federal income tax return: Form 1040 with Schedule C · every year · April 15 · IRS
  • Deposit federal payroll taxes · every month · 15th day of the following month · IRS
  • File Form 941 (Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return) · every quarter · April 30, July 31, October 31, January 31 · IRS
  • File Form 940 (Federal Unemployment Tax) · every year · January 31 · IRS
  • Issue Forms W-2 and file W-3 · every year · January 31 · IRS / SSA
  • File Biennial Report (Iowa) · every two years · April 1 of odd-numbered years · Iowa Secretary of State
  • Register for and file Iowa entity-level taxes · every year · Iowa Department of Revenue
  • File sales tax returns and remit tax (Iowa) · every month · Monthly, quarterly or annually as assigned by the state · Iowa Department of Revenue
  • File wage reports and pay unemployment insurance contributions (Iowa) · every quarter · Iowa Workforce Development
  • File the annual unclaimed property holder report (Iowa) · every year · November 1 · Iowa unclaimed property program
  • Obtain food service establishment / health permit · every year · Warren County health department (Iowa)
  • Local permits — Des Moines, Warren County, Iowa · every year · City or county: Des Moines / Warren County

Filings triggered by an event

  • Complete Form I-9 for each new hire: applies when Business has employees
  • Report new hires to the Iowa new hire directory: applies when 3 employees in Iowa
Start planObligations (24)
Find an obligationShowing 24 of 24 obligations

Federal

8

State

13

County

1

City

2

Common questions about Des Moines

The state licenses your industry through its own regulator, and the city and county add local permits. These are the authorities and local items on record for Des Moines:

  • Contractor licensing: Iowa Division of Labor (contractor registration)
  • Real estate licensing: Iowa Real Estate Commission
  • Alcohol licensing: Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division
  • Child care licensing: Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
  • Health facility licensing: Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing

With your current selections, the licenses and permits are: Iowa sales tax permit (Iowa); Obtain food service establishment / health permit; Ensure certified food protection manager on staff; Local permits — Des Moines, Warren County, Iowa; Obtain certificate of occupancy for premises in Des Moines. Change the industry above to see yours.

Sources: dsm.city, sos.iowa.gov, tax.iowa.gov, workforce.iowa.gov

In your plan for Des Moines, requirements come from four levels. Iowa sets formation, state taxes and employer rules; the city and county add local licenses and taxes.

  • Federal (8): Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN); File federal income tax return: Form 1040 with Schedule C; Deposit federal payroll taxes; File Form 941 (Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return)…
  • State (13): Maintain a registered agent in Iowa; File Biennial Report (Iowa); Register for and file Iowa entity-level taxes; Iowa sales tax permit (Iowa)…
  • County (1): Obtain food service establishment / health permit
  • City (2): Local permits — Des Moines, Warren County, Iowa; Obtain certificate of occupancy for premises in Des Moines

Sources: dsm.city, sos.iowa.gov, tax.iowa.gov

  • Register for unemployment insurance with Iowa Workforce Development.
  • Workers' compensation: Iowa Division of Workers' Compensation. Required when: 1 employee
  • Register to withhold Iowa income tax from wages.
  • Your plan adds these employer steps: Report new hires to the Iowa new hire directory; Carry workers' compensation insurance (Iowa); Display required federal labor law posters; Complete Form I-9 for each new hire; Display required Iowa workplace notices.

Sources: workforce.iowa.gov, workforce.iowa.gov, revenue.iowa.gov

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