If you want to work for the IRS or if you're a small business looking for helpful training opportunities for your company, there are programs available. Working for the Internal Revenue Service, a branch of the Treasury Department, gives the opportunity for a person to secure a federal position with numerous benefits. Treasury Department Internal Revenue Service (IRS) education and training will give you the chance for career advancement. Education provided by the IRS for small businesses will give you a leg up on your competition.

IRS training will involve more than just learning internal revenue laws. You will learn tax regulations, applications, auditing, reviewing IRS tax forms and other skills depending on the position that you hold.

1. Arrange training through the US Internal Revenue Service to help your business succeed

2. Get qualified for Internal Revenue Service positions. This can involve law enforcement training, training to prepare IRS tax forms and more.

3. Access courses and materials that delve into tax related issues. Online libraries have plenty of information on Internal Revenue Service forms.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get training through the Department of the Treasury

The IRS often arranges their own training based on the person's skill and experience level. Also, the bureau offers a tuition assistance program to those wishing to continue their education even after they hold an US Department of the Treasury position.

I recommend: When thinking about a career in the Internal Revenue Service, you can look on the IRS website to see an overview about the training opportunities offered on the job as well as online. The IRS also provides IRS Training Tools for Tax Professionals.

Train for a specific position with the IRS

If you plan on working as a criminal investigation special agent, you'll need to learn about IRS regulations, laws and training programs. The IRS also hires and provides additional training for attorneys.

I recommend: According to Careers at IRS, criminal investigation special agents are trained at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. The IRS provides a Summer Legal Intern Program training opportunity for second-year law students to get experience at an Office of Chief Council for the IRS.

Access US Internal Revenue Service training materials

You can find a large amount of online information to help you train for a job in the IRS or related field. Use online libraries, forums, video tutorials and more to learn more about tax related topics.

I recommend: The State University has an informative piece about the different training and educational background required for the IRS and other jobs in the tax field. Take the Higher Tax Course from the National Tax Training School to prepare you for the IRS EA Enrolled Agent Exam. The course is approved by the IRS.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Most positions within the IRS require a bachelor's degree in accounting. This includes jobs that focus on IRS auditing, examiners and special agents.

Calling itself the 'Small Business and Self-Employed One-Stop Resource,' the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers a wealth of information to small business owners regarding managing their finances, staying up-to-date on tax issues, and accessing forms and paperwork related to tax filings.

The main sections of the site address:

1. Starting, operating, or closing a business
2. Downloading IRS forms and publications
3. Basic small business deductions you don’t want to miss
4. Your responsibilities as an employer

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Claim all the deductions you've earned

Be sure you're deducting every cent you can according to IRS guidelines for small businesses.

I recommend: Start with the business expenses page at the IRS Small Business and Self-Employed site. Check the list of business tax credits. Take a self-paced online tutorial on tax prep for business. And if you discover you previously missed something, file an amended return, correct your mistake, and request a refund.

Make electronic tax payments

Avoid potential penalties and spend less time completing and mailing IRS paperwork by filing electronically. E-file makes it easy.

I recommend: Check the list of payments accepted online. Then sign up with TurboTax or the IRS to file your return, or register with the electronic federal tax payment system (EFTPS) for recurring online tax payments.

Find the right form

Not sure which IRS form you need, or how to complete it? Virtually any IRS form, guide, or publication can be found and downloaded at the IRS website.

I recommend: Scan the complete list of small business forms or just the list of forms relevant to starting and operating a business.

Access a tax-related checklist for starting your business

Discover tax insights on operating a business with employees, deductions and credits, recordkeeping and accounting methods.

I recommend: See what new business owners need to know about federal taxes.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be clear about your role as client or employer by reviewing the IRS definition of independent contractors. Incorrectly categorizing a helper can cost you significant penalties and fines.
• •  Don't be surprised by the self-employment tax, which essentially taxes you both as employer and employee.

Business owners have to deal with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which can result in headaches every quarter, and sometimes even more often. While it's an accountant's job to help you understand what's going on with your business taxes, you can help yourself by getting an education in basic tax and IRS terms.There's no harm in double-checking the information your accountant gives you. Understanding the terms your accountant uses is the first step toward ensuring you're getting the services and tax advice you're paying for.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS)

The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System, or EFTPS, is an electronic system provided by the Federal government to help business owners and private taxpayers pay their tax bills electronically.

I recommend: The EFTPS homepage gives detailed information about who should use the system and provides instructions on how to use it.

TurboTax

TurboTax is just one example of tax preparation software that, when installed on your computer or accessed online, will help you fill out and even file tax forms.

I recommend: PCMag.com offers a detailed review of TurboTax software and compares it with other tax preparation software programs.

Partnership return

Partnership returns are a specific type of tax filing required for partnerships, which are a specific kind of business entity with more than 100 members. Usually only the largest of companies, those with $10 million or more in assets, are required to file this type of return.

I recommend: The Internal Revenue Service offers detailed guidance on who needs to file partnership returns and how they can be filed.

Backup withholding

In most cases, a business won't need to withhold tax from independent contractors. The payments made are simply reported on a 1099 form. If the contractor fails to provide a TIN or provides a TIN that appears incorrect, however, the business should withhold taxes from the payment made, which is known as backup withholding.

I recommend: MSN Money offers a detailed definition of backup withholding.

Tax deductions and tax credits

A tax deduction is a reduction in the amount of taxable income. A tax credit is a reduction in the amount of tax owed. Note that while very similar, the two terms are not interchangeable.

I recommend: Wise Geek offers a detailed explanation, with examples, of the difference between tax deductions and tax credits.

Bad debt

Bad debt is a term that applies to goods that were sold but never paid for. In some cases, bad debt may be reported and claimed as a tax deduction. Note that you can't claim bad debt for services sold.

I recommend: UncleFed's Tax Board explains what criteria must be satisfied for an unpaid debt to qualify as bad debt, and what you should do with it.