The Grimes Brief
A quick reference for shoppers and small businesses: what you actually pay in sales tax in Grimes, Iowa, and where the money goes.
The total sales tax rate in Grimes is 7 percent: the 6 percent Iowa state sales tax plus a 1 percent local option sales tax, which is standard across the Des Moines metro.
The 1 percent local option sales tax (LOST) is levied by the community and helps fund local projects and property-tax relief. Rates can change, so a business setting up point-of-sale should confirm the current rate for its exact location with the Iowa Department of Revenue, especially since Grimes spans two counties.
Iowa exempts most groceries (unprepared food) from sales tax, while prepared food, most goods, and many services are taxable. Vehicle purchases are handled under a separate one-time registration fee, not the 7 percent sales tax.
The Grimes Brief highlights new businesses and local commerce every week. Free, and made only for Grimes.