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.

Most Requested Forms

• I-9 - Employment Eligibility Verification Form | Instructions
• SS-4 - Employer ID Application Form | Instructions | More Info
• W-2 - Wage and Tax Statement Form | Instructions
• W-4 - Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate Form | Instructions
• W-9 - Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification Form | Instructions
• 1040 Schedule C - Profit or Loss from Business (Sole Proprietorship) Form | Instructions
• 1099 MISC - Miscellaneous Income Form | Instructions

Starting a Business

• Employer Identification Number (Federal Tax ID)
  Apply for an EIN online at the IRS.
• State Tax Registration Forms
  Tax forms needed to start and run a business in your state.
• Business Name Regisrtation (“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 Proprty 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