The Ankeny Brief
Here's a fact that surprises people: Ankeny's sales tax rate is 6 percent, lower than every other city in Polk County, because Ankeny is the only one that has never adopted a local option sales tax. Here's what that means for your receipt, why it's unusual, and the 2026 vote that nudges it up to 7 percent on January 1, 2027.
The sales tax rate in Ankeny is 6 percent, which is just Iowa's statewide sales tax. Ankeny is the only city in Polk County without a local option sales tax (LOST), the extra 1 percent that most Iowa cities add, so most purchases in Ankeny are taxed a penny-on-the-dollar less than in neighboring towns, until January 1, 2027. Voters approved a 1 percent local option in a September 8, 2026 special election (64% yes, unofficial results). Ankeny's total rate rises to 7 percent on January 1, 2027, matching the rest of the metro.
Ankeny is the only city in Polk County without a local option sales tax, so it stays at the state's 6 percent while every neighbor adds a penny. Iowa lets cities add a local option sales tax of 1 percent on top of the state's 6 percent, and almost everyone does it: more than 99 percent of Iowa cities have a LOST, and every other city in Polk County collects it. Voters here have repeatedly declined to add the extra penny, which is why a $100 purchase rings up at $106 in Ankeny versus $107 a few minutes away in Des Moines, Urbandale, or Johnston.
A local option sales tax is attractive to cities because a chunk of it is paid by non-residents passing through, and it can be used to lower property taxes or fund streets, parks, and public safety. The counterargument, and the reason Ankeny held out for so long, is that it raises the cost of everything bought in town. It was a genuine local debate with real money on both sides, and voters settled it on September 8. The city estimates the tax will bring in more than $12 million a year, half to property tax relief and half to capital projects (streets, parks, trails, public safety equipment, facilities). Groceries, rent, gas, prescriptions and vehicles are not taxed by it.
Ankeny held a special election on September 8, 2026 on adopting a 1 percent local option sales tax, and voters approved it, 64% yes per unofficial results from the Polk County Election Office. Ankeny's total rate rises from 6 percent to 7 percent on January 1, 2027, matching the rest of the metro, and the city gives up its distinction as the county's lone holdout. Until then, the rate stays at 6 percent. The city's plan for the money is on its Local Option Sales Tax page, and we cover the fallout in the Ankeny Brief.
Sales tax is separate from property tax, and the two are often confused. Ankeny also has one of the lower property-tax levies in the metro. For how that works and how to appeal your assessment, see our Ankeny property taxes guide, and for the wider budget picture, the cost of living guide.
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6 percent, which is just Iowa's statewide rate. Ankeny is the only Polk County city with no local option tax, so it's a penny lower than neighbors that charge 7 percent.
Ankeny has never adopted the 1 percent local option tax that Des Moines and almost every other city add, so it stays at the state's 6 percent.
Not yet. It's the only Polk County city without one, but voters approved a 1 percent local option on September 8, 2026 (64% yes, unofficial results). The rate goes to 7 percent on January 1, 2027.
Yes. Voters approved a 1 percent local option on September 8, 2026 (64% yes, unofficial results), which raises it from 6 to 7 percent on January 1, 2027. Until then it stays at 6 percent.
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