SBA, IRS offer CD-ROM for small-business taxes

Small businesses can easily research tax questions and access tax products through a new informational tool developed by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Internal Revenue Service, according to an SBA news release.

"The Small Business Resource Guide 2001 What You Need to Know About Taxes and Other Topics" CD-ROM is an interactive tool designed to provide access to all IRS business tax forms, publications and other information necessary to understand and manage tax-related issues.

"Our goal with this new product is to eliminate the time and confusion involved in understanding and complying with complex tax rules and regulations," said Hector V. Barreto, SBA administrator.

The disk provides a comprehensive resource directory aimed at every stage of a small business's life. It offers an e-filing video as well as basic tax law training modules. It also addresses all small business tax issues from formation to tax filing and reporting responsibilities when starting, expanding, closing or selling a business.

The CD-ROM covers a range of other business tax topics as well, including:

Special tax rules,

Required tax records,

Employer identification numbers,

Employment taxes,

U.S. labor laws and

Pension/retirement plans.

The "Small Business Resource Guide 2001" is available through Internet ac-cess from www.sba.gov by clicking on "Online Library" and then "Publica-tions."

Through the Internet, users can subscribe to a multiagency e-mail newsletter, view updates to the CD-ROM and link to other government agency and nonprofit Web sites.