Roxanne · Double Take Plus 2 Catering · Des Moines, IA
Roxanne told us: “I am a cook and want to start my own catering business to sell soul food in the Polk County area.”
Hi Roxanne, catered food is typically taxable, so the sales tax permit is the starting point, and the Iowa Sales/Use/Excise Tax Exemption Certificate covers ingredients you buy to prepare and resell. Catering also normally needs health approval for your kitchen and possibly a mobile or temporary vendor permit from the county. Soul food done right deserves paperwork done right. We can file your registrations.
Short answer: New Catering Business: a soul food catering business in Des Moines typically needs the sales tax permit, a federal tax ID number (EIN) and a local business license, with an LLC and a DBA if you use a trade name.
The Iowa version of the seller's permit is the sales tax permit. Suppliers selling to you tax-free will ask for an Iowa Sales/Use/Excise Tax Exemption Certificate (Form 31-014). Suppliers generally accept a resale certificate only from a buyer registered for sales tax, so even a business that mostly buys and sells wholesale usually registers. Iowa is a Streamlined Sales Tax member state, so the uniform Streamlined certificate is also accepted.
Industry code: NAICS 722320 (Caterers)
Get your sales tax permit filed · Start your LLC, DBA and EIN · Business licenses
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All Businesses Need a Des Moines Business License & a Trade Business Name ( Polk County Trade Business Name required if using a trade name).
Retailers / Wholesalers, Need a Reseller Tax ID, & a Business License.
Employers Need a Federal Tax Id Number (EIN), a IA State Tax Id ( State EIN), & a Business License.
Corporations, & LLC Need a Federal Tax Id Number (EIN)& a Business License.
Partnerships Need a Federal Tax Id Number (EIN) & a Trade Business Name, but also need a Business License.
Sole Proprietors May Use a Federal Tax Id Number as a IA Business Tax ID but also need a Business License.
Instead of filing a Trade Business Name, You Can Incorporate in IA or form a(n) IA LLC & You Will Not Need To File A DBA
List of required licenses below include online as well as home or Amazon businesses.
1. Catering The majority of starting businesses need a(n) , Des Moines business tax registration.
2. Catering Businesses with an trade firm name other than the owner's legal name are required to get a(n) Polk County DBA assumed business name certificate.
3. In IA you may also need a tax id called a resale tax ID or seller's license if you are selling touchable items. ( A.K.A IAseller's permit, state id, wholesale, resale, reseller certificate).
4. You will need a federal and a state EIN if you will hire employees. I.e., a IA Federal Tax ID Number and a(n) IA State Employer Tax Number.
5. Instead of filing a fictitious business name DBA Filing in Des Moines, Incorporate in IA or form a(n) LLC.