City Clerk's Office

 (These steps do not necessarily have to be followed in order.)

□      Request criminal history background checks from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation or issuing authority in owners’ state of residence.

All owners of corporations and partnerships, and all sole proprietors and their spouses must submit background checks.

 □      Establish legal status of your proposed business.
       $ Corporation or Limited Partnership (file with Iowa Secretary of State)
      $ Partnership (file trade name document with County Recorder)
    $ Sole Proprietorship (no filing requirements)

 □      Contact the City of Ames Inspections Division about:
    $ building inspection
    $ fire inspection
    $ zoning code compliance
    $ food license                  

 □      Contact insurance agent to arrange for $5000 surety bond (Class E Liquor only)

 □      Submit E-application to Alcoholic Beverages Division.

 □      Take the following to the Ames City Clerk:
     $ e-application signature page
         $ sketch of premises on 8.5 x 11 white paper
     $ signed lease or purchase agreement
      $ background check responses (if they were returned to you)

 □      Apply for other required permits and licenses:
     $ Federal Employer Identification Number (Internal Revenue Service)
     $ Federal Special Occupational Tax permit (Dept. of Treasury, Tax & Trade Bureau)
     $ Food Service license - convenience and grocery stores only
     $ Iowa State Sales Tax permit (Iowa Department of Revenue & Finance)

City of Ames
    515 Clark Avenue, Ames, IA 50010
    City Clerk’s Office:  239-5105
    Inspections Division:  239-5153 
    http://www.cityofames.org

Iowa Department of Commerce, Alcoholic Beverages Division
    1918 SE Hulsizer Blvd.
    Ankeny, IA 50021
    phone: 515-281-7400 or 866-469-2223
    fax: 515-281-7375
    http://www.IowaABD.com

Criminal History Background Checks (for Iowa residents only):
    Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Bureau of Identification
    215 E 7^th Street | Des Moines, IA 50319
    phone: (515) 725-6066
    http://www.dps.state.ia.us/DCI/Records_Ident/obtain_records.shtml

Employer Identification Number (EIN)
   File an application on Internal Revenue Service Form SS-4 for this  number.
    Call (800) 829-4933 or file electronically at: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98350,00.html

 Federal Special Occupational Tax Permit  (tax stamp):
    United States Dept. of the Treasury, Tax & Trade Bureau
    National Revenue Center
    Call (800) 937-8864 or download Form 5630.5 from: http://www.ttb.gov/taxes_and_permits/fed_tax_stamp.htm

Note: Effective July 1, 2005, payment of Special Occupational Tax by retailers was suspended through June 30, 2008. Retailers are still required to send in the registration, with zero tax liability. You will NOT receive the stamp; instead, a list of registered businesses will be sent to the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division.

Iowa State Sales Tax Permit:
    Iowa Department of Revenue & Finance                                           
    phone: (515) 281-3114 or (800) 367-3388
    website: http://www.state.ia.us/tax/business

Registering a Corporation to do business in Iowa:
    Iowa Secretary of State (Michael Mauro)
    phone: (515) 281-5204
    http://www.sos.state.ia.us/ 

Trade Name Filing:
    Story County Recorder (Sue Van de Kamp)
    phone: 382-7231
    http://www.storycounty.com/