Small Business Liaisons
“We're acting to make it easier to do business in Washington"
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Announcements & Upcoming Events- IRS 3/20/2017 Announcements & Upcoming Events: Seattle SBA Jump Start Workshop Series Returns - Registration Now Open https://www.eventbrite.com/d/wa--seattle/jump-start-seattle/?mode=search The SBA Seattle District Office is pleased to announce the anticipated return of the Jump Start workshop series, a free four-day workshop series aimed at new and aspiring small businesses. The series is offered as part of the National Small Business Week celebration. You are welcome to sign up for one class, one day, or the whole series, but space is limited so early registration is encouraged. All classes will be held in-person only at the SBA Seattle District Office from Tuesday, May 16 to Friday, May 18. Here is the 2017 Jump Start schedule: Tuesday, May 16 9 - 10:30 a.m. | Make the Most of Your Elevator Speech 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | So You Want to be A Small Business Owner? 12:30 - 1 p.m. | Brown Bag Lunch & Learn: Networking 101 1:15 - 2:45 p.m. | Your Business Plan: Part 1 - Business Canvas Model Wednesday, May 17 9 - 10:30 a.m. | Choosing the Right Business Structure 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | Does Your Business have a B.A.I.L Team? 12:30 - 1 p.m. | Brown Bag Lunch & Learn: Employee Benefits 101 1:15 - 2:45 p.m. | Your Business Plan: Part 2 - Customers & Markets Thursday, May 18 9 - 10:30 a.m. | Meet the Lenders: Getting Money for Your Business 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | Alternative Financing: A Panel Discussion 12:30 - 1 p.m. | Brown Bag Lunch & Learn: Exporting 101 1:15 - 2:45 p.m. | Your Business Plan: Part 3 - Financing & Cash Flow Friday, May 19 9 - 10:30 a.m. | Elements of Strategic Marketing 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | Which Social Media Site is Right for You? 12:30 - 1 p.m. | Brown Bag Lunch & Learn: Blogging 101 1:15 - 2:45 p.m. | Pitch for Success To register, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/d/wa--seattle/jump-start-seattle/?mode=search Small Business Administration Workshops https://www.sba.gov/offices/district/wa/seattle SBA offers a variety of workshops, some online and others in person. Check the Events Calendar for a complete list. SCORE Workshops SCORE offers workshops designed to give you the skills necessary to start your own successful business. Seattle: http://seattle.score.org/localworkshops Apr 5, May 3 -- Starting a New Business Mar 17, Apr 21, May 31 – Taxes on Small Business Mar 16, Apr 20, June 1 -- Understanding Financial Statements Spokane: http://scorespokane.org/workshops Apr 5, May 3 -- Starting a New Business There are also a number of online workshops available: https://seattle.score.org/onlineworkshops/tab-a IRS Updates & News Releases: Did you know? One of the best ways to get information is by visiting the IRS Small Business Tax Center where you can learn everything from how to get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) online to how to best navigate an audit. IRS Releases Tax Time Guide: Use IRS.gov Tools to Answer Tax Questions This is the first in a series of 10 IRS tips called the Tax Time Guide. The guide is designed to help taxpayers navigate common tax issues as this year’s April 18 deadline approaches. There are a variety of easy-to-use, online tools on IRS.gov. Through these tools, taxpayers can check the status of their refund, prepare and file their taxes or get answers to tax questions around the clock. Taxpayers can use the Interactive Tax Assistant (ITA) to get information about credits, deductions and general filing topics. Taxpayers get the same answers as if they’d called and spoken with an IRS representative, and they can print out the answers for their records. IRS information and some tools also are available in Spanish. See the article for the most common tax time queries and the tools to find answers. IRS Releases 100th eBook; Another Way for Taxpayers to Get Helpful Information throughout the Year The Internal Revenue Service today unveiled its 100th eBook — a milestone in IRS efforts to share information to meet the changing needs of taxpayers. The IRS eBooks effort, which began two years ago, offers an easy way to read and review some of the most commonly used IRS tax products. Through eBooks, taxpayers can view Form 1040 instructions, Publication 17 and other frequently used tax publications by using mobile devices such as smart phones, tablets and eReaders. Tax Time Guide: Use IRS.gov to Find Qualified Tax Professionals https://www.irs.gov/uac/newsroom/tax-time-guide-use-irsgov-to-find-qualified-tax-professionals The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers that IRS.gov offers many useful tips and information to find a qualified tax professional. This is the third in a series of 10 IRS tips called the Tax Time Guide, designed to help taxpayers navigate common tax issues. This year’s tax-filing deadline is April 18. More than 150 million individual returns were filed last year and over half of those were prepared by a paid return preparer. Taxpayers can use the IRS.gov/chooseataxpro website that includes a list of consumer tips for selecting a tax professional. There is also a page with IRS Tax Pro Association Partners that includes links to national nonprofit tax professional groups which can help taxpayers seeking the right type of qualified help. See the full article for some basic tips to keep in mind when selecting a tax professional. Free Help Preparing Tax Returns Available Nationwide https://www.irs.gov/uac/newsroom/free-help-preparing-tax-returns-available-nationwide-2017 Taxpayers may be eligible to receive free tax help at nearly 12,000 preparation sites nationwide. The sites, generally located at community and neighborhood centers, provide tax assistance to taxpayers with low- and moderate-incomes and the elderly. IRS Makes Approved Form 1023-EZ Data Available Online https://www.irs.gov/uac/newsroom/irs-makes-approved-form-1023ez-data-available-online The Internal Revenue Service announced that publicly available information from approved applications for tax exemption using Form 1023-EZ, Streamlined Application for Recognition of Exemption, is now available electronically for the first time. The data on IRS.gov is available in spreadsheet format and includes information for approved applications beginning in mid-2014, when the 1023-EZ form was introduced, through 2016. IRS Reminds International Taxpayers of Tax Obligations; Clarifies Rules for Tax Withholding Agents The Internal Revenue Service reminds non-U.S. citizens who may have taxable income, such as international students and scholars who may be working or receiving scholarship funds, that they may have special requirements to file a U.S. tax return. The IRS also reminded withholding agents -- such as payroll professionals or universities -- that accurately filed Forms 1042-S help speed any refunds due to their non-U.S. citizen taxpayers. Errors on forms or returns could result in some refunds being delayed. IRS Criminal Investigation Releases Fiscal Year 2016 Annual Report https://www.irs.gov/uac/newsroom/irs-criminal-investigation-releases-fiscal-year-2016-annual-report The Internal Revenue Service released its IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) annual report, reflecting the significant accomplishments and criminal enforcement actions taken in fiscal year 2016. IRS CI initiated 3,395 cases in FY 2016 that focused on tax-related identity theft, money laundering, public corruption, cybercrime and terrorist financing. Winter 2017 Statistics of Income Bulletin Now Available https://www.irs.gov/uac/newsroom/winter-2017-statistics-of-income-bulletin-now-available The Winter 2017 issue of the Statistics of Income Bulletin is available on IRS.gov. The Statistics of Income (SOI) Division produces the online Bulletin quarterly, providing the most recent data available from various tax and information returns filed by U.S. taxpayers. Tax Tips https://www.irs.gov/uac/irs-tax-tips Time Running Out to Claim $1 Billion in Tax Refunds from 2013
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