Words etched in stone on the IRS building in Washington, DC say, "Taxes are what we pay for a civilized society." But Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., the Supreme Court justice who said that,
could never have imagined the mind-numbing complexity of today's tax code. Finding appropriate business tax forms and facts fast, when you need them, is critical to navigating the tax labyrinth.

Contrary to popular belief, however, the IRS itself -- and its website in particular -- is actually a good place to get what you need. The agency has a special small business/self-employed (SB/SE) website that provides easy access to all of the IRS forms and publications that cover tax matters vital to different types of small businesses, as well as the self-employed.

The information at this one-stop resource is well-organized, remarkably light on "gov-speak" and nearly all free (well, not quite, since your tax dollars did pay for it). You'll find:

-- An A-Z index for business
-- List of local, tax-related small business events
-- Small business tax products
-- An online tax education classroom
-- A helpful publication called e-News for Small Business
-- Information specially for the self-employed
-- Links to state tax information
-- And more (EINs, name changes, retirement plans, etc)

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

Get what you need at the official source for IRS tax products

The IRS forms and publications resource page is the official source for everything to do with federal tax forms for small business.

I recommend: You can locate and download IRS forms and publications several different ways: By form and instruction number, publication number, topical index or directory list of file names. The IRS Alternative Media Center has forms in Braille, text format and even talking tax forms.

View small business tax publications and forms instructions online

You can see them in html or PDF formats via your Web browser.

I recommend: Choose from the complete list of small biz-related publications. Or if you need help with forms, view IRS Online Instructions for Forms.

Need paper? Order printed forms online for mail delivery

You can order many of the current year tax forms and publications for mail delivery.

I recommend: You may order up to 10 different products for delivery by U.S. mail. You'll receive two copies of each form and one copy of any publication. Employer products can be ordered from Online Ordering for Information Returns and Employer Returns. Or order a special Tax Package for your type of business or special need.

Get your business tax forms and publications on CD

Note that some forms on the CD are intended as information only and may not be submitted as an official IRS form (Forms 1099, W-2 and W-3). And the CD does not permit electronic filing.

I recommend: Order the latest CD online (cost is $25 plus $5 shipping). You can also get electronic fill-in forms that you don't have to print out.

Stay informed with IRS e-News for Small Businesses

It's a free email service that provides tax info for small business owners and self-employed individuals, sent every other Wednesday.

I recommend: Sign-up to receive e-News for Small Businesses and receive information about:

• Important upcoming tax dates for small business
• What's new for small businesses on the IRS website
• Reminders and tips to help with tax compliance
• IRS news releases and special announcements that pertain to small biz and the self employed

Get quick answers to key questions on IRS forms and publications

The IRS has compiled a helpful FAQ on small biz forms and publications.

I recommend: Find out where to search, what formats you can file, what to do if your PC won't display digital forms and many other answers.

Find state tax forms and publications

The Federation of Tax Administrators will point the way.

I recommend: Just view the map and click on your state.

Buy more time by filing the right extension forms

If you are not able to file your federal business income tax return by the due date, you may be able to get an automatic 6-month extension.

I recommend: Get the basic business tax filing extension form in PDF.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The links above provide ways to access and acquire both electronic and printed IRS forms and publications. Additionally, the search function on each IRS Web page provides basic and advanced search capabilities for other published products available on IRS.gov.