What is the sales tax rate in Des Moines?
The combined sales tax rate in Des Moines, Iowa is 7% as of 2026. It is made up of the Iowa statewide base rate of 6%, plus applicable Polk County and local district taxes. Des Moines sits within Polk County, and the rate can vary slightly across ZIP codes because of special district additions (see the ZIP breakdown below).
Sales tax in Iowa is administered by the Iowa Department of Revenue, which collects and distributes tax on behalf of the state and its local jurisdictions. The rate applies to most retail sales of tangible personal property delivered within Des Moines.
Who needs to collect sales tax in Des Moines, Iowa?
Any business with sales tax nexus in Iowa must register, collect, and remit sales tax on taxable sales delivered to Des Moines. Nexus is established through:
- Physical presence: an office, store, warehouse, employee, or inventory located in Iowa.
- Economic nexus: exceeding $100,000 in sales to Iowa customers in the current or prior year.
- Marketplace facilitators: platforms such as Amazon or Etsy collect and remit on behalf of their third-party sellers.
Out-of-state (remote) sellers that cross Iowa's economic nexus threshold must register with the Iowa Department of Revenue before continuing to sell into the state.
How do you register for a sales tax permit in Des Moines?
To collect sales tax in Des Moines, you must register for a sales tax permit with the Iowa Department of Revenue. Registration is generally free. You will typically need your EIN or SSN, business entity details, bank account information, and an estimate of your monthly Iowa sales. Most permits are issued within a few business days of an online application.
How do you charge the right sales tax in Des Moines?
Sales tax in Des Moines is charged based on the delivery address. For orders shipped to a Des Moines address, the combined rate of 7% generally applies; for in-store sales, the rate is based on the store's location. Because some ZIP codes within Polk County carry additional special-district taxes, always confirm the exact rate for the specific delivery ZIP code. The tables below show the most common Des Moines ZIP codes and how Des Moines compares with other cities in Polk County and across Iowa.
