LiveWorkPlay

IRS Tax Center



INFORMATION ABOUT SMALL BUSINESS FEDERAL TAX RESPONSIBILITIES

WHAT BUSINESS OWNERS NEED TO KNOW

As a business owner, you need to know your federal tax responsibilities. In addition to knowing about federal taxes, you need to make some basic business decisions. Understanding and complying with tax requirements is a necessary aspect of doing business.

SMALL BUSINESS AND SELF-EMPLOYED ONE-STOP RESOURCE

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/index.html

Look for information by business topics using the alphabetical listing, or by business type such as sole proprietor or corporation. There are also links to major business subjects, such as Business Expenses, as well as a gateway to all related information on that subject.

TAX HELP

FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE SELF-EMPLOYED

If you are starting or already have a small business and need information on taxes, help is available in the form of media products and services.

The IRS tax information for businesses Web site provides extensive tax information and online tools and resources especially for businesses.
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/index.html

The IRS offers many educational products that you can view or order online, at your convenience, night or day.

Subscribe to e-News for Small Businesses

The Small Business/Self-Employed Division has a free electronic mail service designed to provide tax information for small business owners.  Sign-up for the Small Business/Self-Employed mailing list and you will receive information about important upcoming tax dates, what's new on the IRS Web site, recently added tax forms and publications, IRS News Releases and special IRS announcements.
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/content/0,,id=154826,00.html

The IRS offers a number of other free subscription services as well. You can subscribe to these services at http://www.irs.gov/taxpros/article/0,,id=99120,00.html

SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES

These are just a few of the many government websites with business information.

Small Business Administration
The SBA’s Small Business Planner includes information and resources that will help you at any stage of the business lifecycle.

Social Security Administration
Visit Business Services Online; a suite of applications enabling organizations and authorized individuals to conduct business with the Social Security Administration. This includes filing Forms W-2 electronically for free.

U.S. Department of Labor
The Employers’ page provides information on Wages and Work Hours, Workplace Safety and Health, and Retirement and Health Benefits.

State Links
This IRS.gov link will allow you to connect to your state’s website for small business information.

Department of Agriculture - Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization
The Mission of this office is to provide maximum opportunities for small businesses to participate in USDA contracting activities.

Business.gov The official business link to the U.S. Government, is managed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in a partnership with 21 other federal agencies

FirstGov.gov and FirstGov En Español
As the U.S. government's official web portal, FirstGov.gov makes it easy for the public to get U.S. government information and services on the web. FirstGov.gov also serves as the catalyst for a growing electronic government.

ADDITIONAL IRS RESOURCES

You can select and download multiple small business and self-employed forms and publications at IRS.gov or you can call 1-800-829-3676 to order forms and publications through the mail at no cost.

Access IRS forms or publications at http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html

Publication 1066C, A Virtual Small Business Tax Workshop DVD is a new educational product that helps small business owners and the self-employed understand and meet their federal tax obligations. The workshop is subtitled in English, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese.  You can also view this workshop online.

Publication 3207, 2006 Small Business Resource Guide CD-ROM is an interactive CD designed to help small business owners comply with the tax laws and includes business tax forms, instructions and publications. In addition to providing a wealth of tax-related information, the CD contains Web links to various government agencies, business associations and IRS organizations.

Publication 1518,Small Businesses and Self-Employed Tax Calendar highlights different tax issues and tips and has space to add notes, state tax dates, or business appointments. Updated online versions are available on IRS.gov.

IRS PUBLICATIONS

You can select and download multiple IRS forms and publications at IRS.gov or you can call 1-800-829-3676 to order forms and publications through the mail at no cost.

Access IRS forms or publications at http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html

Pub 334 Tax Guide for Small Business

Pub 463 Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses

Pub 531 Reporting Tip Income

Pub 535 Business Expenses

Pub 583 Starting a Business and Keeping Records

Pub 587 Business Use of Your Home

Pub 946 How to Depreciate Property

Pub 1872 Tips on Tips: A Guide to Tip Income Reporting

Pub 3780 Tax Information for Small Construction Businesses

Pub 3995 Recognizing Illegal Tax Avoidance Schemes

Pub 4132 Pay Taxes Online! "Easy As1-2-3"

Pub 1779 Independent Contractor or Employee

Pub 4035 Home-Based Business Tax Avoidance Scheme

IRS WEB RESOURCES FOR BUSINESSES

OVERVIEW

Starting, Operating or Closing a Business

Whether you are a budding entrepreneur, or an established business owner, you will find everything you need to start and manage your business venture. http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=110417,00.html

Business Taxes

The form of business you operate determines what taxes you must pay and how you pay them.
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98966,00.html

GETTING STARTED

Tax Information for Businesses

If you run a small business or are self-employed, the IRS web site offers a wide variety of information to help you. http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/index.html

Checklist for Starting a Business

This checklist provides the basic steps you should follow to start a business. http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98810,00.html

Business Structures
When beginning a business, you must decide what structure to use. Legal and tax considerations enter into this decision. http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98359,00.html

Employer ID Numbers (EINs)
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, and is used to identify a business entity. Generally, businesses need an EIN. http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98350,00.html

Online Application - Form SS-4, Employer Identification Number (EIN). Apply online for the Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number. http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=102767,00.html

IRS FORMS AND PUBLICATIONS

Forms and Publications

Need an IRS form or publication?
http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html.

Electronic Filing

e-file for Business and Self-Employed Taxpayers
The IRS offers several electronic filing options designed specifically for the business filer. There are several ways you may choose to participate in the IRS e-file for Business programs.
http://www.irs.gov/efile/article/0,,id=118520,00.html

Electronic Federal Tax Payments (EFTPS)

Businesses and individuals can use the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System to pay all their federal taxes electronically, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, via the phone, personal computer (PC) software or the Internet.  Visit the EFTPS web site for all the latest information! Or visit the Department of Treasury’s Financial Management Services web page on EFTPS.
http://www.eftps.gov/

QuickAlerts "More" e-file Benefits for EROs

Get on board and be one of the thousands of tax professionals that currently receive information on “up-to-the-minute” e-file events.
http://www.irs.gov/taxpros/providers/article/0,,id=97623,00.html

EMPLOYEES

Businesses with Employees

Information about hiring, recordkeeping, and other topics for business owners with employees.
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98862,00.html

Independent Contractors vs. Employees

Before you can determine how to treat payments you make for services, you must first know the business relationship that exists between you and the person performing the services.
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=99921,00.html

Employment Taxes for Small Business

If you have employees, you are responsible for Federal Income Tax Withholding, Social Security and Medicare taxes and Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA)http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=172179,00.html

IRS Withholding Calculator

This easy-to-use calculator can help you figure your employees’ Federal Income Tax Withholding so you can withhold the correct amount from their pay.
http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96196,00.html

Retirement Plans for Small Businesses

Are you looking for information on employee retirement plans in order to provide better service to all your employees?
http://www.irs.gov/retirement/content/0,,id=97203,00.html<

Earned Income Tax Credit (ETIC)

Would you like to help your employees increase their take–home pay at no cost to you?
You can do this by giving your eligible employees part of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) with their pay, and by subtracting the payments you make from payroll taxes. This is possible through the Advance Earned Income Credit (AEITC) program.
http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96406,00.html

TALK WITH THE IRS

Contact My Local Office

IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers are your one-stop resource for face-to-face tax help and solutions to tax problems, every business day.
http://www.irs.gov/localcontacts/index.html

Taxpayer Advocate Service

The Taxpayer Advocate is an independent organization within the IRS.  They help taxpayers resolve problems with the IRS and recommend changes that will prevent the problems.
http://www.irs.gov/advocate/index.html

LEARNING CENTER

On-Line Classroom

View a streaming video of an IRS Small Business Workshop, take an IRS course or complete an online self-directed version of a workshop taught live around the country.
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=97726,00.html

Small Business Tax Workshops

Throughout the country various non-profit and government organizations offer small business workshops.
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=99202,00.html

RESOURCES

Small Business Resources

This section offers links to a broad range of resources across federal and state agencies.
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/content/0,,id=98864,00.html

Small Business Products Online Ordering

Looking for a tool to help you meet your tax requirements? Choose from our free products, developed especially for the Small Business/Self-Employed person, and obtain updated information on existing products.
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=101169,00.html

ABUSIVE TAX SCHEMES

Tax Scams - How to Recognize and Avoid Them

To help the public recognize and avoid abusive tax schemes, the IRS offers an abundance of educational materials. Participating in illegal schemes to avoid paying taxes can result in imprisonment and fines, as well as the repayment of taxes owed with penalties and interest. Education is the best way to avoid the pitfalls of these "too good to be true" tax scams.
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=106788,00.html

RESOURCES FOR SPECIFIC COMMUNITIES

Industries/Professions

Specific tax information for Agriculture, Automotive, Construction, Entertainment, Fishing, Gas Retailers, Manufacturing, Real Estate, Restaurants, Tax Professionals, and other industries.
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/industries/index.html

Tax Information for International Businesses

This section provides information on international taxes.
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/international/index.html

Tax Information for Tax Professionals

This section provides information for tax practitioners and other tax professionals.
http://www.irs.gov/taxpros/index.html