Taxes

Even though personal income tax is a voluntary tax according to the Constitution of the United States, paying business taxes are unavoidable.
Businesses face greater tax challenges. Not only does a business have to pay income taxes, but a business needs to pay payroll, sales, use, property, and a host of other taxes.
Ignorance of tax regulations will not keep you from paying hefty penalties.

The IRS has put together one of the best tax sites on the Web. Then again, since the IRS is taxes, which we are paying for, they should!

IRS Digital Daily
From here you can get forms and instructions, prior year forms, links to state tax forms.

IRS EFTPS Questions and Answers
After July 1, 1997, most businesses will be required to make FICA, FUTA, and corporate income tax payments, This page contains comprehensive information on the new program including questions and answers.

IRS Electronic Services
This area discusses what electronic filing options are available and how to access the services.

IRS Forms and Publications
With a keyword searchable database that then links directly to the document.

IRS News Stand
Including every official news release for the current tax year.

IRS Regulations
Includes tax regulations issued since August 1, 1995.

IRS Tax Info for Business
This section is dedicated to business taxpayers. Files and forms are downloadable in a variety of formats.

IRS Tax Info for You
This section is dedicated to personal tax filing.

IRS Tax Statistics
A wealth of information on the financial composition of individuals, corporations, partnerships, and other tax entities.

IRS Taxpayer Help and Education
The IRS has included some of the most frequently asked tax questions here. A full transcript of the IRS's Tele-Tax system is available online for those who prefer reading (and printing) the information over listening to it.

Sales Taxes and Electronic Commerce

Prop 13 Meets the Internet
This report discusses the sometimes frightening nature of sales taxes and state and local government's reliance on them as a primary funding source. The article estimates that state and local governments lost over $3.3 billion in sales tax revenues in 1994 alone from mail-order and online sales. With the dramatic increase in online sales expected in the next few years, this loss will only increase.

Web Tax Shuffle
Taken from the November 5, 1996 issue of PC Magazine, this article by Sebastian Rupley talks about the tax haven that exists on the Internet. Part of the murkiness stems from existing laws. Sebastian writes, "Federal law dictates that an electronic purchase from an out-of-state vendor may be taxed by the buyer's state, but the merchant selling the product has no responsibility to collect the taxes or even to report the transaction." Rupley discusses how several online businesses are trying to address the issue.

Taxes and Organization Structure

American Express Small Business Exchange
Some of the best small business tax information available on the Web. Their Small Business Tax Primer gives you a good overview of some of the tax laws relating to how your business's structure. Within each primer they explain what is meant by an "S corporation" with the use of links. The site also walks you through personal income taxes, employment taxes, sales taxes, and property taxes. For the real meat of the site, click on Back to Starting Your Business and find resources on pricing, wholesalers, financing, and insurance.

The Business Incorporating Guide
How your business is organized determines what types of taxes you will pay. For those interested in incorporating their business, Corporate Agents, Inc. has created a site with incorporating information readily available.

Registered Agents, Ltd.
Registered Agents is a business that helps small businesses incorporate. Even if you're not thinking of incorporating right now, there's some great information on this site.

Small Business Survival Tips
A listing of seven small business survival tips. The first tip discusses the process of converting a corporation to a sole proprietorship and warns that corporations can lose their ability to shield majority owners from personal liability if they don't pay franchise, payroll, or other taxes. The remaining tips include exiting a partnership, controlling expenses, signing personal guarantees, and giving your business a financial physical.