Simple questions are often the most difficult to answer. Or
so it seems when dealing with the government. Small businesses
have enough to worry about around tax time without having
to struggle to find the information they desperately need.
So, we have done much of the work for you.
Below you'll find a list of valuable online tax resources
every small business should bookmark. You'll find they put
a world of information right at your fingertips. They also
offer contact information for agencies you may need to deal
with directly.
New York State Department of Taxation and Finance -
http://www.tax.state.ny.us/prompt/default.htm
- New York state residents can easily pay their taxes online
via this secure site. By clicking the links at the top of
the page, you can also print forms and find contact information
for customer service. If you don't live in New York State,
you can find out if your state offers the same type of program
by typing "pay [name of your state] state tax online"
(without quote marks or brackets) into your favorite search
engine.
Electronic Federal Tax Payment System -http://www.eftps.com/
- Tired of having to take your federal tax deposits to the
bank? You can save yourself a lot of time by signing up
for an online payment account. It only takes a few minutes
to arrange, and then you will be able to remit federal tax
payments online instead of at your local bank branch.
Social Security Administration -http://ssa.gov/
- Definitely a site to bookmark! Here you can get detailed
information about the Social Security program, calculate
your estimated retirement or disability benefits, access
great info about the Social Security Administration which
allows you to calculate your social security benefits, apply
for benefits, print forms and publications and more. Employers
can verify a worker's SSN, contact the Administration directly
and get other types of help.
University of the State of New York, State Education
Department - http://usny.nysed.gov/professionals/
- Did you know the state of New York requires acupuncturists,
landscapers and midwives to be licensed? They do! Those,
along with many other professionals, are required to apply
for and receive a license prior to performing work. On this
site you can find out which professions should be licensed
and which specific businesses hold valid licenses.
Tax Almanac - http://www.taxalmanac.org/index.php/Main_Page
- This free online tax resource consists of an open community,
including a discussion forum, a current-events page and
updates on recent tax changes. An excellent resource for
small businesses.
When you know where to find the information you're seeking,
staying up to date with your payroll, quarterly, annual and
other taxes is much easier. These sites will give you a wonderful
start to finding answers to your questions, plus forms and resources to help ensure your tax liabilities are met
with the least amount of frustration possible.
Kristi Stangeland is President of KLS Web Solutions
at http://www.klswebsolutions She is author of the forthcoming
book "Effective Websites for CPAs: Increase Your Productivity,
Practice and Profits." Kristi specializes in http://www.klswebsolutions.com
CPA website design and optimization. Carl Weiner, CPA PC,
has worked with hundreds of individuals and small- to medium-sized
businesses since 1992. His primary services include http://www.carlmweinercpa.com
accounting, taxation and business consulting in Westchester
County, New York. Visit his site at http://www.carlmweinercpa.com
