Iowa. Home of Quaker Oats, Winnebago's and corn. A lot of corn. You produce 1/10th of our country's food supply. So, thank you, Iowa. Thank you for corn chips and edamame, for backyard barbeques and tofu. You truly are the Beautiful Land.

Iowa is also a hearty state in which to register your small escort business, and in this article you'll find clear step-by-step advice on how to do just that. For more information on why it's vitally important to register your business, refer to our Don't get busted for tax evasion: Why registering your escort business is the only option.

For a helpful advice on picking out a business name, visit Business.gov

Step four: Register your business / business name

Sole Proprietorship:

In Iowa you are not required to register your sole proprietorship escort business as a separate business entity: because the business is you, it is not recognized as a separate business and you'll file your business information along with your own personal taxes.

You are also not required to register your business name if it is your name and service: "Jane Doe's Escort Service". However, if you take on any other form of a DBA name, you must register a Trade Name Report with your local county recorder office. You can find your county's website at Iowa State Association of Counties.

For more information on if taking on a DBA is a good choice for your business, refer to our article Do I want to be a sole proprietor?

Partnership:

In Iowa you are not required to register your general partnership business as a separate business entity. However, you will have to file a partnership return come tax time, so having your books in order is very important. More on that below.

You are also not obligated to register your business name in Iowa if it is the collected names of the partners outlined in your partnership agreement. But if you choose to take on a DBA name you'll have to register a Trade Name Report with your local county recorder office. You can find your county's website at Iowa State Association of Counties.

Corporation:

To register your escort corporation in Iowa you'll need to file your Articles of Incorporation with the Iowa Secretary of State. You can find this form at the Iowa Secretary of State—Business Services.

Registering your Articles of Incorporation will register your business name, so you will not have to file any additional paperwork for this.

LLC:

To register your escort LLC in Iowa, you'll need to file your Certificate of Organization with the Iowa Secretary of State. You can find more information and this form at the website for the Iowa Secretary of State—Business Services.

Registering your Certificate of Organization will register your business name, so you will not have to file any additional paperwork.

For more information on these structures and their requirements, visit Iowa Secretary of State Business Services.

Step six: Register for your federal and Iowa state taxes

There are a few basic types of taxes small businesses in Iowa may register for.

• Individual Income Tax: If you're a sole proprietor or LLC, you'll file your business profits/losses in a Schedule EZ form that will go along with your personal income tax 1040 form. For more information go to IRS.gov. You can also find more forms and information at the Iowa Department of Revenue—Individual Income Tax Forms.
• Business Taxes: Businesses in Iowa have to pay corporate taxes. Partnerships must file a Partnership Income Tax Return (IA-1065), and corporations must file a Corporation Tax Return (IA-1120). More information and these forms can be found at the Iowa Department of Revenue—Partnership Forms and Corporate Forms.
• Unemployment Tax: All businesses with employees pay unemployment insurance to safeguard the state's unemployed. You can get more information and file online at Iowa Workforce Development Site.
• Withholding Taxes: Employers must withhold taxes from employees for their personal income taxes. More information can be found about withholding taxes in Iowa at the Iowa Department of Revenue—Withholding Tax Forms and Information.
• Workers Compensation: If you have employees, you'll have to pay Worker's Compensation. More information can be found at the Division of Worker's Compensation – Iowa Workforce Development Site.
• Self-Employment Taxes: If you own and operate your business and are not paid as an employee, you'll need to file your own self-employment taxes. This is particularly true for sole proprietorships, general partnerships and LLCs. Download form 1040 or get more information.

For more information on registration and taxes in Iowa visit the Iowa Department of Revenue—Businesses.

Step seven: Get necessary licenses and permits

There is no one basic "business license" in Iowa, and chances are your city won't require you have any permits for your escort business. But it's a good idea to run your city through the IRS's Permit Me tool and get more information about specific filing from their site.

More information on starting a business in Iowa

• Iowa Secretary of State
• The Business License Information Center—Iowa Department of Economic Development
• Iowa at Business.gov
• "Starting a business in Iowa" at IRS.gov

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Find out how to register an escort business in each state of the USA.

Related resources:

• Do I want to be a sole proprietor?
• Do I want to be part of a partnership?
• Do I want to be an LLC?
• Do I want to be a corporation?

Please note: Dating.com is not a legal service, nor are we tax advisors or accountants. We do offer you what we consider our best advice, but if at all in doubt, please consult a professional.