IRS Forms & Resources

The forms business owners reach for most often — each one links directly to its official page on IRS.gov, so you always land on the current version, not a copy that might be outdated.

Not sure which one applies to your situation? See What Business Document Do I Need? A Checklist by Situation.

Not sure if a worker is a 1099 contractor or a W-2 employee in the first place? See 1099 vs. W-2: Worker Classification Mistakes That Cost Contractors before you fill out either form.

Estimated tax & self-employment

Form 1040-ESEstimated Tax for Individuals. The actual worksheet and payment vouchers used to calculate and pay quarterly estimated tax.Form Schedule SESelf-Employment Tax (Form 1040). Where self-employment tax is calculated and reported on your individual return.

Hiring & paying contractors

Form W-9Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification. Collect this from any contractor or vendor before paying them, so you have the information needed to file a 1099 at year-end.Form 1099-NECNonemployee Compensation. File this for any contractor you paid $600 or more during the year for services.Form 1099-MISCMiscellaneous Information. Covers rents, royalties, and other payments that don't belong on a 1099-NEC — relevant for property owners paying rent-related amounts.

Entity setup & elections

Form SS-4Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN). Used to apply for the EIN a new business needs to open bank accounts, hire, and file returns.Form 2553Election by a Small Business Corporation. The actual form that makes an S-corp election official — has a strict filing deadline relative to your entity's formation or tax year.Form 8832Entity Classification Election. Lets an eligible entity (like an LLC) choose how it's classified for federal tax purposes.

New employee paperwork

Form I-9Employment Eligibility Verification. Federal (not IRS) form every employer must complete for each new hire, verifying identity and work authorization — keep it on file, don't submit it.Form W-4Employee's Withholding Certificate. Collected from every new employee so you withhold the correct amount of federal income tax from their pay.New Hire ReportingState New Hire Reporting Directory. Every state requires employers to report new hires within days of their start date — find your state's specific reporting site here.

Payroll

Form 941Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Return. Reports income tax, Social Security, and Medicare tax withheld from employee paychecks each quarter.Form 940Employer's Annual Federal Unemployment (FUTA) Tax Return. The annual federal unemployment tax return, filed once you have employees — separate from the quarterly 941.

Retirement plans

Form 5500Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan. Required annually once a business retirement plan (401(k), profit sharing, cash balance) is in place, above certain size thresholds.

Closing or changing a business

Form 966Corporate Dissolution or Liquidation. Filed by a corporation (including an S-corp) within 30 days of adopting a resolution to dissolve or liquidate.

Business tax returns

Form Schedule CProfit or Loss from Business (Sole Proprietorship). Where a sole proprietor or single-member LLC reports business income and expenses on their personal return.Form 1065U.S. Return of Partnership Income. The annual return filed by partnerships and multi-member LLCs taxed as partnerships.Form 1120-SU.S. Income Tax Return for an S Corporation. The annual return filed once an S-corp election is in place.

Deductions & filing

Form 4562Depreciation and Amortization. Where Section 179 and bonus depreciation elections for equipment and vehicle purchases actually get claimed.Form 8879IRS e-file Signature Authorization. The signature authorization that allows your return to be filed electronically on your behalf.

All links go directly to IRS.gov. We link rather than host copies of these forms so you always get the current, official version — forms are revised periodically, and a hosted copy can go stale. This list isn't exhaustive; which forms actually apply to your business depends on your specific situation.

Not sure which forms apply to your business?

Get a free review of your current tax position from a licensed advisor.

Book a Free Consultation