Essential Government Forms

Essential Government Forms

Here you will find info on how to obtain important business forms at each stage of your business. For info on obtaining forms from Federal government agencies, visit the Federal Forms Catalog, a database of over 5,000 forms for businesses and citizens.

Starting a Business

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  Employer and Tax Identification Numbers

  
  

All businesses are required to pay federal, state, and in some cases, local taxes.  Most businesses will need to register with the IRS and state and local revenue agencies, and receive a tax ID number or permit.

The following resources will help determine your tax registration requirements.

Employer Identification Number (EIN)

An EIN is also known as a federal tax identification number, and is used to identify a business entity. Employers with employees, business partnerships, and corporations and other types of organizations, must obtain an EIN from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. The EIN is also known as an Employer Tax ID and Form SS-4:

U.S. Internal Revenue Service

Phone: 1-800-829-4933

• Guide to the Employer Identification Number


• Apply for an EIN Online

State Tax Registration

Businesses that operate within the state are required to register for one or more tax-specific identification numbers, licenses or permits, including income tax withholding, sales and use tax (seller's permit), and unemployment insurance tax. The State Tax Guide provides links to information about business registration requirements and your tax obligations in your state.

• State Tax Registration Forms
  
  Tax forms needed to start and run a business in your state.


• Business Name Registration (“Doing Business As”)
  
  Requirements and forms for registering a business name in your state.


• Incorporation Forms
  
  If you plan on establishing your business as an LLC or corporation, you will need to get forms from your state government agency.


• Business Licenses and Permits
  
  Tools and links for locating licenses and permits you will need fo your business.

Financing a Business

Loans

The following checklists include forms you typically to apply for small business loans, including those guaranteed by SBA.

• Business Loan Application Checklist
  
  List of required forms and documents typically needed when applying for business loans.


• SBA Loan Application Forms
  
  Includes a list forms you need to complete and submit to your lender when applying for a SBA guaranteed loan.


• SBA Disaster Assistance Forms
  
  Forms to use when applying for disaster assistance.


• SBA Contractor and Surety Bond Forms
  
  Forms for small and emerging contractors applying to the SBA Surety Bong Guarantee Program.

Grants

If you are a non-profit or one of the few for-profit organizations that qualifies for a federal grant, visit the Grants.gov Apply for Grants page to learn how to put together a grant application. 

Operating a Business

• Forms for Employers


• Tax Forms, Federal


• Tax Forms, State


• Intellectual Property Forms
  
  
  
  • Copyright Forms - U.S. Copyright Office
  
  
  • Patent Forms - U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
  
  
  • Trademark Electronic Application System - U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
  
  
  
  

Closing a Business

• File documents with the your state's incorporation agency.


• Federal Tax Forms (Closing a Business Checklist) - Internal Revenue Service


• Bankruptcy Forms - U.S. Courts


• Bankruptcy Tax Forms - Internal Revenue Service


• Sale of a Business - Internal Revenue Service


• Terminating a Retirement Plan - Internal Revenue Service