Now that the Internet occupies a major role in today's business world, it's not surprising that the latest tax developments are just a mouse click away. Many tax sites are especially useful to entrepreneurs looking for tax compliance and planning data.
While tax sites are plentiful, it's important to keep in mind that the information you find on them is only as reliable as the sources it comes from. Make sure you know as much as possible about a site's owners, their credentials, and how long they've been providing tax information before you do something drastic like change your accounting system on their advice. Steer clear of Web sites sponsored by tax protest groups because they often advocate tax positions that are overly aggressive and, in some cases, frivolous, says Dennis Schmidt, a University of Northern Iowa accounting professor who does an outstanding job with his Tax and Accounting Sites Directory. (See below.)
Also make sure the information you use is current. Some sites may have outdated tax data, which could eventually lead to trouble with the IRS. Look for dates on the information posted, and go to the site regularly to determine how frequently it updates its data.
Keep in mind that the tax information you get from the Internet is "raw data," proclaims partner Ward Bukofsky with the Beverly Hills, California, accounting firm Moss Adams. It does not provide "coordinated or comprehensive tax consulting, nor does it apply all the data to a particular taxpayer's situation and weigh all the different considerations," says Bukofsky.
Schmidt concurs and warns that before you make any decision or take any action based on tax information you discover on the Internet, you should always consult a qualified, professional advisor who understands your particular business well. Many Web sites themselves point out that the information they provide is by no means a substitute for professional tax serv-ices and counseling.
We recently reviewed a number of tax sites and found the following to be among the better ones for entrepreneurs:
Tax and
Accounting Sites Directory: This directory site serves as
an index to numerous tax and accounting sites on the Web.
Maintained by Schmidt, it's designed to be a starting point to
use when searching for tax and accounting information and services.
It offers a subject-specific directory, and topics run the gamut
from federal tax law to policy and reform. A click on "Tax
Topics" provides a list of tax sites, including a link called
"Small Business Taxation," which offers very useful tax
information geared toward small and midsized businesses.
Tax
Resources on the Web: Finance executive Alan G. Kalman
organizes his directory of direct links alphabetically by tax
subject. The site is designed to serve as a portal for individuals
and small-business taxpayers wishing to gain easy access to the tax
assistance and resources available on the Inter-net. One of the
links, "Business Entities," provides a number of topics
for business taxpayers, in-cluding "Tax Aspects of Selling
Your Business," as well as "Starting a Business and
Keeping Records."
Internal Revenue
Service: The IRS' Web site is chock-full of tax
information, forms and publications. Once you're at the site,
click on "Tax Info for Business," which appears at the
bottom of the page, then proceed to "Small Business
Corner" for tax data affecting entrepreneurial companies. You
can also check out the "Internal Revenue Bulletins"
section, which provides you with the most recent IRS rulings. The
agency's Market Segment Specialization Program Audit Techniques
Guides are also available from this site.
Quicken.Com
Taxes: This well--organized and graphically attractive site
includes a good deal of tax infor-mation particularly useful for
entre-preneurs. A sample of the information available includes
payroll, federal, sales and state tax obligations. A section
labeled "Answers to Your Questions" provides help on
doing your books. Links to tax and accounting Web sites are also
offered.
Small Business
Taxes & Management: One of the best sites for those
entrepreneurs looking for in-depth tax information, it includes
updates of federal rules, summaries of revenue rulings and
procedures, and small-business links. Small Business Taxes &
Management has been providing tax and management guidance to small
and midsized businesses since 1980. The site is updated daily,
Monday through Friday.
Gary
Klott's Tax Planet: Tax Planet is not just for business
owners, but it does include many articles entrepreneurs will find
useful, such as information on Roth IRA conversions, travel
expenses, home offices and charitable contributions. Launched in
February, the site is edited by Gary Klott, a syndicated tax
columnist and former New York Times writer. Article
summaries are well displayed and come with links to the full
text.
The Tax
Prophet: Robert L. Som-mers, a San Francisco tax lawyer
with more than 23 years of experience, is "The Tax
Prophet." In his solo practice, Sommers represents
entrepreneurs and small companies and is very familiar with the tax
issues important to them. Site surfers can find useful tax
information under the headings "What's New,"
"Hot Tax Topics," "Frequently Asked Questions,"
"Tax Publications" and "Cyber Surfing." Topics
of interest to entrepreneurs include finding the right tax
professional and what to do if you get audited.
As you can see, there are a good many online tax sites ready to provide useful information and advice. Just be sure to use them carefully, and always obtain the advice of your accountant on any change that will affect your particular situation.
Joan Szabo is a writer in Great Falls, Virginia, who has reported on tax issues for more than 13 years.
Contact Source
- Moss Adams, (310) 278-5850, wardb@mossadams.com
This story appears in the December 2000 issue of Entrepreneur. Subscribe »
