POPULATION: 2,982,085 (2006 Census estimate)
LABOR FORCE: 1,503,000 (2006)
RIGHT TO WORK: Yes
TRADITIONAL INDUSTRIES: Value-added agriculture, manufacturing
EXPANDING INDUSTRIES: Advanced manufacturing, financial services/insurance, biosciences, information solutions
COLLEGE GRADUATES: (Age 25 and over) 25.2%
BASIC BUSINESS TAXES:
Corporate Income Tax: Imposed on net income from sales within Iowa, after deducting 50 percent of federal corporate income tax; rates are 6 percent on the first $25,000, or any part thereof; 8 percent on the excess over $25,000 but less than $100,000; 10 percent on the excess over $100,000 but less than $250,000; and 12 percent on the excess over $250,000
Sales Tax: 5 percent on transactions involving the transfer, exchange, or barter of tangible personal property, on certain enumerated services, and gross receipts from the sale of optional service of warranty contracts; communities and schools may impose a local option sales tax
Use Tax: 5 percent
Property Tax: Manufacturing machinery and equipment, as well as computers used to process data, are exempt from taxation; pollution-control equipment is also exempt.
BUSINESS INCENTIVES:
Iowa Community Economic Betterment Account — CEBA (loans, grants, guarantees, comprehensive management assistance)
Enterprise Zones
High Quality Jobs Creation Program — HQJC (tax credits and exemptions for large investments)
Entrepreneurial Ventures Assistance — EVA (loans, technical assistance)
Value-Added Agricultural Products and Processes Financial Assistance Program — VAAPFAP (loans, grants)
Economic Development Set-Aside Program — EDSA (loans, grants)
Iowa New Jobs Training
Assistance
Targeted Small Business Financing — TSB (loans, grants)
Self-Employment Loan Program — SELP (loans)
Export Trade Assistance Program
Urban Revitalization Areas
Tax Exemptions for Industrial Property
Tax Credits for New Employees and Research & Development
Local Tax Increment Financing Authority
Federal SBA Direct Loans and Guaranteed Loan Programs