GovConnectIowa, a one‑stop portal introduced to consolidate state licensing and tax services, now offers business owners a single account to sign in, request access to licenses and communicate securely with the Iowa Department of Revenue.

Jerica Pellington, presenter with the Iowa Department of Revenue, said the portal is “responsive to whatever device you are on” and recommended using a computer for the full experience. Pellington walked users through account creation, two‑step verification options (authentication app, phone, email) and a passkey option that allows passwordless login.

Why it matters: GovConnectIowa centralizes licensing, enforcement searches and secure communications that were previously spread across multiple systems, reducing time spent locating records and making routine tasks such as renewals and amendments available from a single dashboard.

How to get started: Users sign up at govconnect.iowa.gov, then use the portal’s Get Started panel to request access, enter a mailed access code, register a new business or register as a bulk filer. Pellington said the department began sending welcome letters the week of Nov. 3; each letter includes a Letter ID that can be entered to gain immediate access when requested in the portal.

Account and dashboard features: After signing in, users will see tabs for Accounts (licenses and permits), Action Center (unread messages and pending items), Settings (paperless mail, account access) and I Want To (a searchable list of actions such as amending or applying for licenses). The portal supports favoriting accounts for faster access. A session automatically times out after 30 minutes of inactivity; users are advised to save in‑progress forms frequently.

Secure messaging and support: The portal’s Send a message inbox lets licensees send secure messages and attachments to specialized teams within the department. Pellington said specialists often respond within 24 hours. The department posted a banner reminding users the inbox does not accept tax returns or forms — those must be filed by the approved filing method.

Public tools and chatbot: GovConnectIowa provides public facilities such as a searchable licensing database, enforcement action search and a complaint submission form. The portal also includes a department‑programmed chatbot nicknamed “the Colonel” for general help; staff‑authored responses are available 24/7 but the chatbot cannot provide case‑specific answers about individual licenses.

Support and resources: Pellington directed users to revenue.iowa.gov/alcohol for alcohol‑licensing pages and to video tutorials on the department’s YouTube channel. For direct help, taxpayers can call Taxpayer Services at (515) 281‑3114 or email idr@iowa.gov; customer experience issues may be sent to idr‑cx@iowa.gov.