RESOURCE INFORMATION
Small Business Administration (SBA) http://www.sba.gov/
SBA Seattle Office http://www.sba.gov/localresources/district/wa/index.html
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) http://www.irs.gov
Washington State Department of Licensing http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/?homebox
Department of Revenue, 2101 4th Ave, Suite 1400, Seattle
Phone: (206) 956-3000 Map and driving directions
Better Business Bureau - The Better Business Bureau is a not-for-profit, private organization with the goal of maintaining fair and honest business dealings between consumers and businesses in our community. http://alaskaoregonwesternwashington.bbb.org/
WA State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) http://www.lni.wa.gov/
315 5th Ave S, Suite 200, Seattle
Phone: (206) 515-2800 Map and driving directions
Employment Security Department
8746 Mary Ave NW, Suite 1, Seattle
Phone: (206) 706-3801 Map and driving directions
Small Business Development Centers - http://www.wsbdc.org/
The SBDC is a cooperative effort of Washington State University, Western Washington University, community colleges, economic development organizations, and the US Small Business Administration. Counselors provide one-on-one, confidential assistance at no charge for management and technical business affairs to existing businesses
City of Seattle http://www.seattle.gov
Business section http://www.seattle.gov/economicdevelopment/business_start.htm
Seattle business licensing http://www.seattle.gov/rca/licenses/licmain.htm
Application http://www.seattle.gov/rca/pdfs/BusLicApp.pdf
Location of Offices:
Revenue and Consumer Affairs Division
Department of Executive Administration
Seattle Municipal Tower, Suite 4250
700 - 5th Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98104
The office is open weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Telephone: (206) 684-8484 Fax No.: (206) 684-5170
E-mail: rca.bizlictx@seattle.gov
Mailing address:
Revenue and Consumer Affairs Division
PO Box 34214, Seattle, WA 98124-4214
ARTICLES OF INTEREST FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
IRS Reminds Taxpayers that Keeping Good Records Reduces Stress at Tax Time
The tax filing season is just around the corner, so if you haven’t already done so, it’s time to organize your records.
Whether you are a business owner or an individual taxpayer, you can avoid headaches at tax time with good records because they will help you remember transactions you made during the year.
Keeping well-organized records also ensures you can answer questions if your return is selected for examination or prepare a response if you are billed for additional tax. In most cases, the IRS does not require you to keep records in any special manner. Generally speaking, you should keep any and all documents that may have an impact on your federal tax return.
Small Business Owners If you are a small business owner, you must keep all your employment tax records for at least four years after the tax becomes due or is paid, whichever is later. Examples of important documents business owners should keep Include:
§ Gross receipts: Cash register tapes, bank deposit slips, receipt books, invoices, credit card charge slips and Forms 1099-MISC
§ Proof of purchases: Canceled checks, cash register tape receipts, credit card sales slips and invoices
§ Expense documents: Canceled checks, cash register tapes, account statements, credit card sales slips, invoices and petty cash slips for small cash payments
§ Documents to verify your assets: Purchase and sales invoices, real estate closing statements and canceled checks
Individuals
Individual taxpayers should usually keep the following records supporting items on their tax returns for at least three years:
§ Bills
§ Credit card and other receipts
§ Invoices
§ Mileage logs
§ Canceled, imaged or substitute checks or any other proof of payment
§ Any other records to support deductions or credits you claim on your return
For more information about recordkeeping, check out IRS Publications:
§ Pub 552 at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p552.pdf, Recordkeeping for individuals
§ Pub 583 at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p583.pdf
§ Starting a Business and Keeping Records
§ Pub 463 at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p463.pdf, Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses
These publications are available on the IRS Web site, IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).
To get the latest IRS news and products and services subscribe to our FREE e-News on IRS.gov at http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=154825,00.html, click “Subscribe Now” at the bottom of the page and enter your e-mail address.
IRS Experts Discuss ARRA 2009 Tax Incentives
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), enacted in February, includes many tax incentives for small businesses and the self-employed, first-time homebuyers, people purchasing new cars, those interested in making their homes more energy efficient and parents and students paying for college.
IRS and industry experts discuss the many related credits, deductions and incentives and how you may benefit.
To get the latest IRS news and products and services subscribe to e-News on IRS.gov at http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=154825,00.html , click “Subscribe Now” at the bottom of the page and enter your e-mail address.
