Because taxes shouldn’t be harder than setting up your booth.
If you’re selling at pop-up markets, craft fairs, farmers markets, or Made in Iowa events, you’ve probably heard different answers from different people about whether you need a Sales Tax Permit (sometimes called a Tax ID). Iowa’s rules can feel confusing—but the basics are actually pretty straightforward.
Here’s a simple breakdown to help you understand who needs a permit and who doesn’t.
Who Needs an Iowa Sales Tax Permit?
Vendors selling taxable goods
In Iowa, most tangible products are taxable. If you are selling something that a customer can physically take home, you generally need a Sales Tax Permit.
This includes:
- Artists (paintings, prints, pottery, jewelry, sculptures, etc.)
- Crafters & makers (candles, soaps, wood items, tumblers, signs, textiles, etc.)
- Boutique items (clothing, accessories, hats, baby items)
- Resellers (buying wholesale → selling retail)
If you’re selling anything that sits on a table, odds are you need a permit.
Who Usually Doesn’t Need One?*
Cottage Food Vendors
Under Iowa’s Home Food Processing rules, cottage bakers and certain home-prepared food makers do NOT need a sales tax permit as long as the items they sell are considered non-taxable groceries.
Examples of usually non-taxable food items:
- Baked goods (cookies, cakes, breads, bars)
- Candies and chocolates
- Jams, jellies, preserves
- Snack mixes
- Dry goods
- Most whole foods meant to be eaten offsite
Important:
If you start selling taxable food items, like taxed beverages, hot food, or food prepared on-site, then you do need a permit.
Gray Area Foods (Ask if you’re unsure)
Some food items may be taxable depending on how they’re sold:
- Drinks
- Slushies
- Anything served warm
- Anything meant to be eaten immediately
- Some packaged mixes
- Food trucks or prepared meals
If customers can eat it right there, Iowa usually considers it taxable, and you’ll need a permit.
Who Definitely Does NOT Need One?
Vendors who only promote services
If you’re not selling a physical product, you typically don’t need a permit.
Examples:
- Photographers doing bookings only
- Massage therapists, wellness practitioners
- Authors doing signings but not selling books (if you sell books → taxable)
- Consultants
- Musicians performing but not selling merch
- Face painters (service only)
Note: service providers who also sell any physical product (e.g., merch, prints, books, CDs, gift baskets) need a permit for those items.
Why It Matters
Iowa periodically audits markets and pop-up events. If a vendor is required to have a permit and doesn’t, the vendor—not the market—gets fined. Having the permit is free, easy to get, and protects both you and the event organizer.
How to Get an Iowa Sales Tax Permit
It’s free and takes 5–10 minutes:
- Search Iowa Department of Revenue – Business Tax Registration
- Choose Sales Tax Permit
- Use a Social Security Number or EIN
- You’ll get your permit number by email
The Bottom Line
If you sell physical goods, you probably need a permit.
If you sell food, it depends on how it’s prepared and consumed.
If you sell services only, you don’t need one.
Still unsure? Ask. It’s always better to double-check than to get a surprise letter from the state.!!!!Cynthia Freese – Booth Boss
