The Iowa Department of Revenue continues efforts to enhance the overall efficiency of our technology solutions. As part of this effort, eLAPS was retired on October 22, 2025 and GovConnectIowa now serves as the portal for new and renewal alcohol licenses, account management, reporting, and more. eLAPS features used by local authorities and dramshops have moved to the License Administration Portal, and features used by law enforcement are now in the Law Enforcement Portal. Explore our GovConnectIowa Portals.
Learn more about the system transition and the new features available below.
List items for eLAPS Retiring
What Changed
- eLAPS Functions Moved to GovConnectIowa. eLAPS was retired and all licensing activities (application, renewal, amendment, etc.) now take place in GovConnectIowa.
- Accessing Accounts.
- Existing GovConnectIowa users with Full Access to their business already have access and can grant immediate access to other users.
- If you were an existing eLAPS user without a GovConnectIowa login, you should have received an email prompting you to set up your GovConnectIowa account.
- Finally, beginning November 3, a Welcome Letter will be mailed to all licensees. You may choose to create a GovConnectIowa account at that time and then use the Letter ID from the Welcome Letter to gain access to your license.
- Ownership Updates. Users with Full Access can update ownership information in GovConnectIowa. These changes apply across all licenses for that legal entity.
- Contact Information Updates. Authorized users can update contact information in one simple step in GovConnectIowa, and they can select which licenses the change applies to.
- Updating Information at Renewal. During the license renewal process, licensees can now indicate if there has been a change to the premises or control of property. Appropriate documentation can be uploaded at that time.
- Communication. Any time the Department posts a communication to your account, registered users will receive an email directing them to log into GovConnectIowa.
- No Payments over the Phone. In alignment with Department policy, payments are no longer accepted via phone, including ACH payments. Payments must be made through GovConnectIowa.
- Chatbot. Our chatbot The Kernel has been updated to address key alcohol licensing related activities.
- Gallonage Tax Filing Frequency Requests. Eligible licensees can request to change their filing frequency from monthly to quarterly through GovConnectIowa (BAN, BA, WAN, WA, BP only). Only licensees who reasonably expect not to be liable for more than $2,500 in gallonage tax between July 1 and June 30, and must not have owed more than $2,500 in gallonage tax in the preceding July 1-June 30 timeframe may be eligible. Quarterly filing will begin with the January-March 2026 reporting period.
- Estimated Barrel and/or Wine Gallonage Tax Return. Licensees who fail to file a barrel tax return and/or wine gallonage tax return by the due date will be considered late immediately and the return period will enter our non-filer program.
- TTB Operational Reports. Native breweries, brewpubs, and native wineries now submit TTB operational reports in GovConnectIowa. These continue to be due on or before the 15th of the month.
- Brewpub Permitting Change. All Brewpubs now have a retail license (LC or BW) and a Special Class "A" beer permit (BP).
What Did Not Change
- Licensing. The process of and requirements for applying, renewing, and amending a license is fundamentally unchanged. However, the Department has added many self-service features in GovConnectIowa for activities such as updating ownership and contact information, uploading key documents, etc.
- Alcohol License Management. Managers continue to be able to see and manage all licenses in GovConnectIowa, in addition to relevant gallonage tax accounts.
- Beer Barrel/Wine Gallonage Tax Reporting. Tax Reports contain the same information in GovConnectIowa as they did in eLAPS. The format may vary slightly, but all of the information remains present. Going forward, licensees will receive a notification from GovConnectIowa on the 1st of each month reminding them to file their monthly report by the 10th of that month.
- License Refunds. The license refund process has not changed.
What Actions You May Need to Take
- Draft Licenses. If you had an application with the status "In-Progress" at 5:00pm CDT on October 22, 2025, you may need to re-submit it using GovConnectIowa.
- Ownership Update Amendment Applications. Any Ownership Update Amendment Applications that were not approved by the Department prior to October 22, 2025, will need to be re-submitted via GovConnectIowa.
- Accessing Accounts.
- Existing GovConnectIowa users with Full Access to their business already have access and can grant immediate access to other users.
- If you were an existing eLAPS user without a GovConnectIowa login, you should have received an email prompting you to set up your GovConnectIowa account beginning November 3.
- Finally, beginning November 3, a Welcome Letter will be mailed to all licensees. You may choose to create a GovConnectIowa account at that time and then use the Letter ID from the Welcome Letter to gain access to your license.
- October 2025 Gallonage Tax Reports are due on December 1, 2025, in GovConnectIowa, rather than the normal due date of November 10, 2025, due to system downtime. November 2025 Gallonage Tax Reports are due as scheduled on December 10, 2025.
What Changed
- eLAPS Functions Moved to GovConnectIowa. eLAPS was retired and all licensing activities (application, renewal, amendment, etc.) now take place in GovConnectIowa.
- Accessing Accounts.
- Existing GovConnectIowa users with Full Access to their business will receive immediate access on November 3, 2025. Full Access users can grant immediate access to other users.
- If you were an existing eLAPS user without a GovConnectIowa login, you should have received an email prompting you to set up your GovConnectIowa account.
- Finally, beginning November 3, a Welcome Letter will be mailed to all licensees. You may choose to create a GovConnectIowa account at that time and then use the Letter ID from the Welcome Letter to gain access to your license.
- TTB Operational Reports. Holders of a manufacturer’s license (CM) or a class “A” native distilled spirits license (ND) should submit TTB operational reports in GovConnectIowa. These continue to be due on or before the 15th of the month.
- Ownership Updates. Users with “Full Access” can update ownership information in GovConnectIowa. These changes apply across all licenses for that legal entity.
- Contact Information Updates. Authorized users can update contact information in one simple step in GovConnectIowa and they can select which licenses the change applies to.
- Updating Information at Renewal. During the license renewal process, licensees can now indicate if there has been a change to the premises or control of property. Appropriate documentation can be uploaded at that time.
- Communication. Any time the Department posts a communication to your account, registered users will receive an email directing them to log into GovConnectIowa.
- No Payments over the Phone. In alignment with Department policy, payments are no longer accepted via phone, including ACH payments. Payments must be made through GovConnectIowa.
- Chatbot. Our chatbot The Kernel has been updated to address key alcohol licensing related activities.
What Did Not Change
- Licensing. The process of and requirements for applying, renewing, and amending a license is fundamentally unchanged. However, the Department has added many self-service features in GovConnectIowa for activities such as updating ownership and contact information, uploading key documents, etc.
- Alcohol License Management. Managers continue to be able to see and manage all licenses in GovConnectIowa.
- License Refunds. The license refund process remains the same.
What Actions You May Need to Take
- Draft Licenses. If you had an application with the status "In-Progress" and at 5:00pm CDT on October 22, 2025 you may need to resubmit it using GovConnectIowa.
- Ownership Update Amendment Applications. Any Ownership Update Amendment Applications that were not approved by the Department prior to October 22, 2025, will need to be re-submitted via GovConnectIowa on or after November 3, 2025. Only one ownership update per customer will be required in GovConnectIowa.
- Accessing Accounts.
- Existing GovConnectIowa users with Full Access to their business already have access and can grant immediate access to other users.
- If you were an existing eLAPS user without a GovConnectIowa login, you should have received an email prompting you to set up your GovConnectIowa account.
- Finally, beginning November 3, a Welcome Letter will be mailed to all licensees. You may choose to create a GovConnectIowa account at that time and then use the Letter ID from the Welcome Letter to gain access to your license.
What Is Changing
- eLAPS Functions Moved to GovConnectIowa. eLAPS was retired and all licensing activities (application, renewal, amendment, etc.) now take place in GovConnectIowa.
- No Monthly Reporting. CB, CV, and CD license types are no longer required to submit monthly reports. October 2025 reports may be submitted via email to compliance@iowaabd.com.
- Accessing Accounts.
- Existing GovConnectIowa users with Full Access to their business already have access and can grant immediate access to other users.
- If you were an existing eLAPS user without a GovConnectIowa login, you should have received an email prompting you to set up your GovConnectIowa account.
- Finally, beginning November 3, a Welcome Letter will be mailed to all licensees. You may choose to create a GovConnectIowa account at that time and then use the Letter ID from the Welcome Letter to gain access to your license.
- Ownership Updates. Users with “Full Access” can update ownership information in GovConnectIowa. These changes apply across all licenses for that legal entity.
- Contact Information Updates. Authorized users can update contact information in one simple step in GovConnectIowa, and they can select which licenses the change applies to.
- Updating Information at Renewal. During the license renewal process, licensees can now indicate if there has been a change to the premises or control of property. Appropriate documentation can be uploaded at that time.
- Communication. Any time the Department posts a communication to your account, registered users will receive an email directing them to log into GovConnectIowa.
- No Payments over the Phone. In alignment with Department policy, payments will no longer be accepted via phone, including ACH payments. Payments must be made through GovConnectIowa.
- Re-add Saved Payment Method. No saved payment methods were transitioned from eLAPS to GovConnectIowa. All licensees who leverage auto renewal must add a new saved payment method if they wish to remain enrolled in autorenewal.
- Chatbot. Our chatbot The Kernel has been updated to address key alcohol licensing related activities.
What Did Not Change
- Licensing. The process of and requirements for applying, renewing, and amending a license is fundamentally unchanged. However, the Department has added many self-service features in GovConnectIowa for activities such as updating ownership and contact information, uploading key documents, etc.
- Alcohol License Management. Managers continue to be able to see and manage all licenses in GovConnectIowa as they did in eLAPS.
- License Refund. The license refund process has not changed
What Actions You May Need to Take
- No Monthly Reporting. Beginning November 3, 2025, CB, CV, and CD license types are no longer required to submit monthly reports. October 2025 reports may be submitted via email to compliance@iowaabd.com.
- Draft Licenses. If you had an application with the status "In-Progress" when eLAPS was shut down on October 22, 2025, you may need to re-submit it via GovConnectIowa.
- Ownership Update Amendment Applications. Any Ownership Update Amendment Applications that were not approved by the Department prior to October 22, 2025, will need to be re-submitted via GovConnectIowa.
- Accessing Accounts.
- Existing GovConnectIowa users with Full Access already have access and can grant immediate access to other users.
- If you were an existing eLAPS user without a GovConnectIowa login, you should have received an email prompting you to set up your GovConnectIowa account beginning November 3.
- Finally, beginning November 3, a Welcome Letter will be mailed to all licensees. You may choose to create a GovConnectIowa account at that time and then use the Letter ID from the Welcome Letter to gain access to your license.
- Re-add Saved Payment Method. No saved payment methods were transitioned from eLAPS to GovConnectIowa. If you had a saved payment method in eLAPS, you should re-add it to GovConnectIowa. All licensees who leverage auto renewal must add a new saved payment method if they wish to remain enrolled in autorenewal.
What Changed
- eLAPS Functions Moved to GovConnectIowa. eLAPS was retired and all licensing activities (application, renewal, amendment, etc.) now take place in GovConnectIowa
- Accessing Accounts.
- Existing GovConnectIowa users with Full Access to their business already have access and can grant immediate access to other users.
- If you were an existing eLAPS user without a GovConnectIowa login, you should have received an email prompting you to set up your GovConnectIowa account.
- Finally, beginning November 3, a Welcome Letter will be mailed to all licensees. You may choose to create a GovConnectIowa account at that time and then use the Letter ID from the Welcome Letter to gain access to your license.
- Ownership Updates. Users with “Full Access” can update ownership information in GovConnectIowa. These changes apply across all licenses for that legal entity.
- Contact Information Updates. Authorized users can update contact information in one simple step in GovConnectIowa, and they can select which licenses the change applies to.
- Updating Information at Renewal. During the license renewal process, licensees can now indicate if there has been a change to the premises or control of property. Appropriate documentation can be uploaded at that time, reducing the need to submit amendment applications.
- Communication. Any time the Department posts a communication to your account, registered users will receive an email directing them to log into GovConnectIowa l.
- No Payments over the Phone. In alignment with Department policy, payments will no longer be accepted via phone, including ACH payments. Payments must be made through GovConnectIowa.
- Re-add Saved Payment Method. No saved payment methods were transitioned from eLAPS to GovConnectIowa. All LE licensees who leverage auto renewal must add a new saved payment method if they wish to remain enrolled in autorenewal (LE only).
- Chatbot. Our chatbot The Kernel has been updated to address key alcohol licensing related activities.
- License Refund Changes. When a licensee requests a refund for a license, the Department will refund the full amount owed to the licensee, rather than requiring the licensee to work with both the Department and the local licensing authority.
What Did Not Change
- Licensing. The process of and requirements for applying, renewing, and amending a license is fundamentally unchanged. However, the Department has added many self-service features in GovConnectIowa for activities such as updating ownership and contact information, uploading key documents, etc.
- Alcohol License Management. Managers continue to be able to see and manage all licenses in GovConnectIowa as they did in eLAPS.
What Action You May Need to Take
- Draft Licenses. If you had an application with the status "In-Progress" when eLAPS was shut down on October 22, 2025, you may need to re-submitted it via GovConnectIowa.
- Ownership Update Amendment Applications. Any Ownership Update Amendment Applications that were not approved by the Department prior to October 22, 2025, will need to be re-submitted via GovConnectIowa
- Accessing Accounts.
- Existing GovConnectIowa users with Full Access already have access and can grant immediate access to other users.
- If you were an existing eLAPS user without a GovConnectIowa login, you should have received an email prompting you to set up your GovConnectIowa account beginning November 3.
- Finally, beginning November 3, a Welcome Letter will be mailed to all licensees. You may choose to create a GovConnectIowa account at that time and then use the Letter ID from the Welcome Letter to gain access to your license.
- Re-add Saved Payment Method (LE only). No saved payment methods were transitioned from eLAPS to GovConnectIowa. If you had a saved payment method in eLAPS, you should re-add it to GovConnectIowa. All licensees who leverage auto renewal must add a new saved payment method if they wish to remain enrolled in autorenewal. Licensees whose license expires between December 11, 2025 - January 13, 2026 must add a saved payment method no later than November 21, 2025.
What Changed
- eLAPS Functions Moved to GovConnectIowa. eLAPS was retired and all licensing activities (application, renewal, amendment, etc.) now take place in GovConnectIowa.
- Accessing Accounts.
- Existing GovConnectIowa users with Full Access to their business already have access and can grant immediate access to other users.
- If you were an existing eLAPS user without a GovConnectIowa login, you should have received an email prompting you to set up your GovConnectIowa account beginning November 3.
- Finally, beginning November 3, a Welcome Letter will be mailed to all licensees. You may choose to create a GovConnectIowa account at that time and then use the Letter ID from the Welcome Letter to gain access to your license.
- Ownership Updates. Users with “Full Access” can update ownership information in GovConnectIowa. These changes apply across all licenses for that legal entity.
- Contact Information Updates. Authorized users can update contact information in one simple step in GovConnectIowa, and they can select which licenses the change applies to.
- Updating Information at Renewal. During the license renewal process, licensees can now indicate if there has been a change to the premises or control of property. Appropriate documentation can be uploaded at that time, reducing the need to submit amendment applications.
- Communication. Any time the Department posts a communication to your account, registered users will receive an email directing them to log into GovConnectIowa.
- No ACH Payments over the Phone. In alignment with Department policy, payments will no longer be accepted via phone, including ACH payments. Payments must be made through GovConnectIowa.
- Re-add Saved Payment Method. No saved payment methods were transitioned from eLAPS to GovConnectIowa. All licensees who leverage auto renewal must add a new saved payment method if they wish to remain enrolled in autorenewal.
- Chatbot. Our chatbot The Kernel has been updated to address key alcohol licensing related activities.
What Did Not Change
- Licensing. The process of and requirements for applying, renewing, and amending a license remains fundamentally unchanged. However, the Department has added many self-service features in GovConnectIowa for activities such as updating ownership and contact information, uploading key documents, etc.
- Alcohol License Management. Managers can see and manage all licenses in GovConnectIowa as they did in eLAPS, in addition to viewing relevant excise tax accounts.
- Gallonage Tax Reporting. Tax Reports and due dates all contain the same information in GovConnectIowa as they did in eLAPS, although the format may vary slightly.
- License Refunds. The license refund process will not change.
What Action You May Need to Take
- Draft Licenses. If you had an application with the status "In-Progress" on October 22, 2025, you may need to re-submit it via GovConnectIowa.
- Ownership Update Amendment Applications. Any Ownership Update Amendment Applications that were approved by the Department prior to October 22, 2025, will need to be re-submitted via GovConnectIowa.
- Accessing Accounts.
- Existing GovConnectIowa users with Full Access to their business already have access and can grant immediate access to other users.
- If you were an existing eLAPS user without a GovConnectIowa login, you should have received an email prompting you to set up your GovConnectIowa account beginning November 3.
- Finally, beginning November 3, a Welcome Letter will be mailed to all licensees. You may choose to create a GovConnectIowa account at that time and then use the Letter ID from the Welcome Letter to gain access to your license.
- Re-add Saved Payment Method. No saved payment methods were transitioned from eLAPS to GovConnectIowa. If you had a saved payment method in eLAPS, you should re-add it to GovConnectIowa. Any licensees who leverage auto renewal must add a new saved payment method if they wish to remain enrolled in autorenewal. Licensees whose license expires between December 11, 2025 - January 13, 2026 must add a saved payment method no later than November 21, 2025.
The License Administration Portal is now the Department’s solution for reviewing and endorsing alcohol licenses, amendments, and renewals.
What Changed
- eLAPS Functions Moved to the License Administration Portal. eLAPS was retired and all dramshop agents should use the License Administration Portal to endorse new, renewed, and amended licenses.
- Gaining Access and Using the Portal. Current users should receive an email requesting you to create a logon and complete a profile in the License Administration Portal. Once you have created a logon and profile, you should be able to log on and see any Action Items you have to endorse.
What Did Not Change
- Insurance Process. The process of endorsing and insuring an on-premise license remains unchanged.
- Adding and Deleting Users. You should continue to follow the same process of contacting the Alcohol Licensing Team at the Department of Revenue to set up new users or remove user access.
What Action You Need to Take
- Gain Access to the Portal. You should follow the instructions in the email you receive on or around November 3, 2025, requesting you create a logon and complete a profile in the License Administration Portal. You must use the same email address you used in eLAPS. You should then be able to log on and see Action Items if you have items to endorse.
The License Administration Portal is now the Department’s the single solution for local authorities to review and approve alcohol licenses, amendments, and renewals.
What Changed
- Tobacco Licensing Portal Renamed. The "Tobacco Licensing Portal" was renamed to the "License Administration Portal" to reflect the addition of alcohol license administration capabilities.
- eLAPS Functions Moved to the License Administration Portal. eLAPS was retired and local authorities now must use the License Administration Portal for all alcohol licensing activities (approving applications, renewals, amendments, etc.).
- Changes for Alcohol Licensees. Alcohol licensees now use GovConnectIowa to submit new and renewal license applications, amendments, and tax reports.
- Alcohol License Refund Changes. When an alcohol licensee requests a refund for a license, the Department refunds the full amount owed to the licensee. The Department will then deduct the local licensing authority's portion of the refund from the next month's disbursement of alcohol licensing fees.
Local Authorities are no longer expected to refund their portion of an alcohol license fee to the licensee.
Local Authorities have a disbursement report available in the License Administration Portal. The Department will send a communication when there is a disbursement containing a link to the License Administration Portal where Local Authorities can view transactions that support the disbursement total, including any refunds that were issued.
What Did Not Change
- Alcohol Licensing Process. The processes, deadlines, and requirements for renewing and approving an alcohol license remain unchanged.
- Tobacco Licensing Process. The system, processes, deadlines, and requirements for renewing and approving a tobacco-related license remain unchanged.
What Action You Need to Take
- Alcohol License Fee Disbursement Timing. Final disbursements from eLAPS occurred on October 22, 2025. The first disbursement to come through the new system will be between December 1-4, 2025.
- System Access. No action needed. Access to the License Administration Portal has already been granted. You will begin to see new action items for alcohol-related activities.
The Law Enforcement Portal now contains functionality for alcohol complaints and compliance.
What Changed
- Make Alcohol Compliance and Complaints on Law Enforcement Portal. Submit alcohol compliance checks and alcohol complaints on the Law Enforcement Portal. This means that not only are tobacco program checks available, but alcohol complaints and checks are as well.
- Accessing Accounts. Features to support compliance checks and complaints are available to all current users. A list of licensed premises available for compliance checks for law enforcement agencies is listed within the portal. Those licensed premises eligible for payment will be marked along with those premises that are of high priority.
- Video Upload Improvements. Users can upload large video files (larger than 110MB) using a GoAnywhere link sent directly to the law enforcement officer’s email making the request. They will not be required to create an account with GoAnywhere.
- 28E Agreements. All 28E agreements for the Iowa Underage Alcohol Enforcement Program will now be processed and digitally signed through the law enforcement portal allowing a faster turnaround time and execution date.
What Did Not Change
- Iowa Underage Alcohol Enforcement Program. The Iowa Underage Alcohol Enforcement Program remains unchanged. If your agency is unaware of the Iowa Underage Alcohol Enforcement Program, view Regulation & Complaints to learn more.
More Information
Beginning November 3, 2025, updated web pages, YouTube tutorials, and our GovConnectIowa chatbot, The Kernel, will be available to guide you through the new features. Alcohol Licensees be sure and register for the Introduction to GovConnectIowa: Alcohol Licensing Updates webinar on November 5. In the meantime, for questions please email us. Our team is here to answer queries you may have about this transition.
We recognize that adapting to a new system can be challenging, and we are committed to providing the necessary support to ensure a smooth transition. Thank you for your attention to these updates and for your cooperation during the transition.