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Self Employment

Here you will find resources that help self-employed individuals start and operate their businesses.

Starting a Business

• Steps to Starting a Business
  Learn essential steps you must take to legally operate a small business.
• How to Become an Independent Contractor
  Learn how to legally operate as an independent contractor, including compliance with tax and employment laws.
• Buying Franchises and Other Business Opportunities
  Get tips, advice and rules about bying franchises and how to avoid scams.
• Self Employment Assistance for Unemployed Workers
  States pay a self-employed allowance, instead of regular unemployment insurance benefits, to help unemployed workers while they are establishing businesses and becoming self-employed. Participants receive weekly allowances while they are getting their businesses off the ground.

Visit your state's small business guide to learn more about startup requirements in your state.

Financing a Business

Federal and state government agencies do not provide grants to self-employed individuals for starting a business. However, there are a number of low-interest loan programs that help individuals obtain startup financing. Visit the Loans and Grants Search Tool to get a full list of grant, loan, and venture capital programs for which you might qualify.

Tax Information for the Self-Employed

• Employer Idenitifcation Number
  An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is also known as a federal tax identification number, and is used to identify a business entity.
• Small Business and Self-Employed One-Stop Resource
  Offers a broad range of state and local tax information including resources for specific industries, professions, self-employed entrepreneurs, employers and small businesses.
• Online Classroom
  The Small Business/Self-Employed online classroom has a series of self-directed workshops on a variety of topics for small business owners.
• Self-Employment Tax
  The Self-Employment Tax is a social security and Medicare tax for individuals who work for themselves.
• Sole Proprietorships
  Provides a listing of tax forms a sole proprietor is to file and additional resources.

Visit your state's tax agency to learn more about state taxes required for self-employed individuals.

Social Security

• Social Security Information for the Self-Employed
  Includes information about how to report your earnings.
• Work Activity Report - Form SSA-820-F4
  Social Security benefit claim form for self-employed individuals.

Government Contracting Opportunities

• Small Business Guide to Government Contracting
  This guide provides information on programs that help small businesses successfully compete for federal contracting opportunities.