The Internal Revenue Service is a small business owner's most valuable resource. Here are just a few of the things they offer for Free.

Click on their main site HERE. Click on businesses, then small bus/self-employed. OR Click HERE to go directly to Small Business/Self-Employed.

The list of resources are just too numerous to mention here, but I will highlight just a few.

Listed under "Online Classroom", you will find the these items. They may be viewed directly online, ordered in CD form online, or you can call 1-800-829-3676 and ask for the publication number.

• Small Business Tax Workshop Handbook- this is a general book for non-specific years -- publication 1066


• Small Business Tax Workshop Handbook Supplemental Guide - this book uses the current year's specific info and it also contains the answers to the exercises in pub. 1066 -- publication 1066-A


• Introduction to Federal Taxes for Small Business/Self-Employed Course - this updates every year so remember to reorder -- publication 3693


• The 200? Tax Calendar for Small Businesses and Self-Employed - remember to reorder this one every year -- publication 1518


• Spanish versions of these and all publications are also available.

Q: Do I need a tax ID number? A: If you have employees, are in a partnership or are incorporated, you will need a federal Employer's Identification Number. If you are a sole proprietor and have no employees, you can use your Social Security number as your tax ID number. You can obtain an EIN through the Internal Revenue Service.

Frequently Requested Information

What is Self-Employment Tax?
Self-employment tax (SE tax) is a social security and Medicare tax primarily for individuals who work for themselves. It is similar to the social security and Medicare taxes withheld from the pay of most wage earners. You figure SE tax yourself using Schedule SE (Form 1040). Refer to "What is Self-Employment Tax?" in Publication 533, Self-Employment Tax.

Self-Employed Publications:
Publication 15 (Circular E), Employer's Tax Guide
Publication 15-A, Employers Supplemental Tax Guide
Publication 225, Farmer's Tax Guide
Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax
Publication 517, Social Security and Other Information For Members of the Clergy and Religious Workers
Publication 541, Partnerships
Publication 570, Tax Guide For Individuals With Income From U.S. Possessions
Publication 911, Direct Sellers

Self-Employed Forms:
Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return
Schedule ES (Form 1040), Estimated Tax for 2004
Schedule C (Form 1040), Profit or Loss From Business
Schedule C-EZ (Form 1040), Net Profit From Business
Schedule SE (Form 1040), Self-Employment Tax

The above publications and forms can be downloaded from the site or ordered over the phone by calling 1-800-829-3676 and asking for the publication number.

Articles on Small Business Taxes

Taxes for the Newly Self Employed

Reporting Self Employment Income to the IRS

Dont Mess with the IRS