Released in January of each year
CFS Small Business Tools contains over 150 modules essential to starting, running,
and terminating a small business, with the same convenient interface as our other
"toolbox" programs.
Small Business Tools includes:
- Corporate and Individual Federal/State Tax Planner — Five year projections or five
separate scenarios may be entered and viewed at one time. Includes calculations
for AMT tax and input for state tax rates and minimum corporate tax. Includes:
- Templates for preparing a comprehensive business plan, accountable reimbursement
plans, independent contractor agreements, minutes and bylaws of a corporation.
- Checklists for starting a business, preparing partnership and LLC operating agreements
and liquidating a corporation.
- Utility modules such as Auto Lease vs. Buy, Paycheck Withholding Calculator, MACRS
Depreciation, and Cash T Analysis.
- Corporation and Partnership forms for preparing simple tax returns.
- Other Federal forms such as Application for Federal Identification Number, S Corporation
Election, and Power of Attorney.
Starting a Business Checklist
Disclaimer: This checklist is provided to help you start your business. Due to the
various policy and legislative changes that occur frequently, some of these steps
may not apply to your business. Additionally, there may be other steps that are
required by your business that are not covered here. As always, legal counsel is
strongly advised.
- Choose a business.
- Research the business idea.
- Consult your tax professional regarding tax aspects of various business entities.
- Consult an attorney regarding federal and state laws governing creation, ownership,
and operation of the entity.
- Write a business plan and marketing plan.
- Choose a business name.
- See if the business name is available for use as an Internet domain name. Register
the domain name even if you aren't ready to use it yet.
- Choose a location for the business.
- Check zoning laws.
- File partnership, corporate or limited liability company papers.
- Contact the Internal Revenue Service to apply for your federal identification number
and for filing your federal tax schedules.
- Apply for state employer identification number if you will have employees.
- Find out about worker's compensation if you will have employees.
- Apply for sales tax number if needed.
- File state tax forms.
- Check to get any required business licenses or permits. Register or reserve federal
trademark/service mark. Register copyrights.
- Apply for patent if you will be marketing an invention.
- Order any required notices.