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Whether you are a sole proprietor or small business, being able to get your hands on sound, accurate tax help, rules and regulations can save you time and money. Through an agreement with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), BBB is pleased to offer you direct access to the IRS Small Business General Tax Center.

Disaster Information:
Special tax relief and assistance is available to taxpayers in the Presidentially-declared Disaster Areas. Help for Hurricane Victims:
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=147085,00.html
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=108362,00.html

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/content/0,,id=98942,00.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

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 

Join the SB/SE Mailing List:
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

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

Whether you are a sole proprietor or small business, being able to get your hands on sound, accurate tax help, rules and regulations can save you time and money. Through an agreement with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), BBB is pleased to offer you direct access to the IRS Small Business General Tax Center.

Disaster Information:
Special tax relief and assistance is available to taxpayers in the Presidentially-declared Disaster Areas. Help for Hurricane Victims:
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=147085,00.html
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=108362,00.html

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/content/0,,id=98942,00.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

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 

Join the SB/SE Mailing List:
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

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