Business Planning

NEWS YOU CAN USE!

Here are some excellent resources from the IRS contributed by Kari Gilje, IRS/Seattle:

March 2011

Tax season is in full swing, and I wanted to share some of the small business web pages and the new social media tools IRS offers to help you and your members/clients keep up with all the latest information. If you haven’t already done so, please consider including some of these links and tools to your organization’s website and social media sites.

IRS has launched IRS2Go, a smartphone application for iPhone and Android that lets you interact with the IRS using your mobile device. If you have an Apple iPhone or iTouch, you can download the free IRS2Go app by visiting the iTunes app store. If you have an Android device, you can visit the Android Marketplace to download the free IRS2Go app. The mobile application allows taxpayers to get their refund status, tax updates and follow the IRS.

The IRS participates on the following social media platforms:

YouTube The IRS has video channels that provide short, informative videos on various tax related topics in English, American Sign Language (ASL) and a variety of foreign languages.

§ IRS You Tube videos, www.youtube.com/IRSvideos

§ IRS multilingual videos, www.youtube.com/IRSvideosMultilingua

§ IRS American Sign Language (ASL) videos. www.youtube.com/IRSvideosASL

Twitter IRS tweets on various tax-related announcements, @IRSnews

Additionally, the IRS has developed its own new media tools to help share important tax information:

§ IRS Video Portal -- Use it to get up to date information on many tax topics. It’s free and you can access at your convenience.

§ Widgets – These are tools that can be placed on your website, blog, or social media network to direct others to IRS.gov for information. Access IRS Marketing Express to customize your communications products.

§ Audio files for podcasts – Multimedia Center on IRS.gov. These files are also available as podcasts in iTunes

§ Subscribe to e-News for Small Business, a free electronic mail service designed to provide tax information for small business owners and self-employed individuals. It is distributed every other Wednesday.

IRS Small Business web pages – these pages provide the information small business owners need, and will assist your membership with various IRS tax issues. You may place the link(s) directly on your site – one of the best places is under your business resources section.

IRS Small Business & Self Employed Tax Center

This section offers a broad range of resources across federal and state agencies, as well as industry/profession specific information for self-employed entrepreneurs, employers and businesses. You will also find links to starting and operating a business, employment taxes, tax law changes for business, business-related forms and publications, and online learning options.

Link: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/index.html

IRS Virtual Small Business Tax Workshop

Nine interactive lessons designed to help new small business owners learn their tax rights and responsibilities.

Link: http://www.tax.gov/virtualworkshop/

IRS Video Portal

The IRS Video Portal offers video and audio presentations on tax topics for small businesses, individuals and tax professionals.

Link: http://www.irsvideos.gov/

Industries/Professions

Visit this page for tax information specific to certain industries and professions.

Link: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/industries/index.html

Self-Employed Individuals Tax Center

The basics on your tax responsibilities if you are self-employed or an independent contractor.

Link: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/selfemployed/index.html

There is also a small business page/tax center in Spanish:

Información y Recursos para Pequeñas Empresas

Link: http://www.irs.gov/espanol/content/0,,id=162902,00.html

IRS.gov has the latest tax news, online tools, research services, guidance and contact information. IRS en Español is available for information in Spanish.

I encourage you to add any or all of the links above to your website. I can also provide the official IRS logo which can be used to advertise the site on your webpage – let me know if you would like me to send it.

If you are not the person who maintains your webpage, please forward this email to that person. Feel free to contact me with any questions and also let me know when you have added IRS links to your website.

Thank you,

Kari Gilje

Senior Stakeholder Liaison

IRS Communications, Liaison & Disclosure

Ph 206.220.5469

kari.s.gilje@irs.gov