Small Business Resources

Colorado Office of Economic Development
This website will provide a wealth of information and resources that are helpful to small businesses in Colorado: http://www.state.co.us/oed

Colorado Business Resource Guide
This guide provides general information to assist you in starting and maintaining a business. It provides information on legal structure and registration; sales, income and property tax; employer responsibilities; bookkeeping; sources of assistance; choosing your advisors, writing a business plan; marketing; financing options; liabilities and insurance; trademarks, copyrights and patents; and more. It is also designed to save you time by putting together most of the city, state and federal forms necessary to establish a business in Colorado. http://www.state.co.us/oed/guide

Colorado Small Business Development Center
The Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC), through its network of local offices, is dedicated to helping small businesses throughout Colorado achieve their goals of growth, expansion, innovation, increased productivity, management improvement and success. Visit this site to learn more about the Colorado SBDC and how to find a local SBDC service center near you. http://www.state.co.us/oed

Business.gov
The business gateway to federal resources: www.Business.gov

Dixson Center For Entrepreneurial Development
The Dixson Center for Entrepreneurial Development provides a variety of services to develop and enhance the entrepreneurial ventures of the community. Through the use of student interns, faculty, and consultants, the Dixson Center provides Workshops, lectures, research and consulting projects on a requested basis. Each year the Center also sponsors a Business Plan competition and selects an Entrepreneur of the Year. Links are provided at the Dixson Center's website to community businesses and organizations, in addition to national organizations, publications, and related sites. Dixson Center

How to Write a Business Plan
The Business Plan is an essential step for the potential entrepreneur to help turn an idea for a product or service into a profitable business venture. Whether you are starting a business or wish to expand your present business, an effective business plan will be your “road map” to success. A well-organized business plan will work out the details of your business on paper first, before you invest time and money into your venture. It is a “must” if you plan to obtain a business loan. Click this link for complete details on how to write a business plan.

IRS Tax Information

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 Structure for Small Business

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 Structure

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 Identification Number  

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

[Note for partners: the URL for the mailing list is subject to change without notice, and should be reviewed monthly for viability.]

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.