Area Advantages

Workforce

What has historically differentiated the greater Iowa City from other regions of the country is its forward thinking approach to embrace education as its primary cornerstone. Home to the University of Iowa, the first public institution to enroll women, the area is known for its diverse and vibrant culture.

 

The quality the area’s workforce is a result of the strong educational capacity of the area communities as well as Midwestern work ethic. Join the ranks of growing Fortune 500 companies, as well as scores of smaller industries and businesses.

Location

Greater Iowa City is at the center of it all with quick access to Chicago, Minneapolis, Omaha, Kansas City, St. Louis, and many more. It’s located at the crossroads of I80 (San Francisco to New York City) and I380 (part of the St. Paul/St. Louis Avenue of the Saints).

Tax Advantages & Incentives

  • Corporate Income – Tax Based on tax triggers each year to identify the capacity to make a cut or not.
    • Target rate of 5.5% by 2026
    • Current Corporate Income Tax Rates 2023: $0–$25,000 – 5.5%, $25,001–$100,000 – 5.5%, $100,001–$250,000 – 8.4%, >$250,000 – 8.4%
      No Property Tax (machinery and equipment)
  • No Personal Property Tax
  • No Sales Tax (machinery and equipment)
  • No Inventory Tax
  • No Tax – Computers
  • No Tax – PreInstalled Software
  • Utilities Sales Tax – No Tax on the purchase of electricity, natural gas, and water used in qualifying production activities

 

Federal Deductibility
Iowa is one of only five states that offers Federal Deductibility. This allows 50 percent deductibility of federal taxes on corporate income tax in Iowa.

 

Right-to-Work State
Under Iowa law, an employee is not required to join a union as a condition of employment. Management/employee relations are extremely positive in our area.

 

Unemployment Insurance
At 1% Iowa has the lowest unemployment insurance rate of any state in the nation. This rate is given to all non-construction employees who do not have a prior employment history in Iowa.

 

Incentives
There are many, from local to state incentives. Assistance is provided in the form of tax increment financing, loans and/or forgivable loans, all based in part on job creation, capital investment, the ability to meet certain wage standards, quality of employment, and economic benefits for the state and local community.