Small Business Corner

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Government Resources for Small Business Owners

Published: March 5, 2019

As a small business owner, it is important to know that you are not alone when it comes to starting and growing your business. Today’s small business owners have a variety of resources available to help them start, run, and grow their business, including government programs and agencies that provide free assistance in the way of education, information, advice, funding, and more. Check out these free resources and get the help you need.

IRS Small Business Portal. This section of the IRS website is dedicated to helping small business owners with their tax questions. You’ll find information on preparing your taxes, filing taxes, paying taxes, and other important tax information for each stage of owning a business.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office. USPTO is a federal agency that grants patents and trademarks. Their resources will help you understand the process and file for your own patent or trademark to protect your business’s ideas and products.

Small Business Development Centers. America’s SBDC is a group of nearly 1,000 service centers that offer local small business assistance throughout the United States. The centers provide free in-person business consulting on topics like writing business plans, accessing capital, marketing, regulatory compliance, technology development, and more. They also offer low-cost training and hold an annual conference.

BusinessUSA. BusinessUSA was started by President Obama in 2011 and is a website that features online resources for all aspects of business as well as a training portal where you can access online training, videos, and online chat. They also feature countless events around the country every day, and a free app that will notify you of local events and opportunities.

Export.gov. For small business owners who want to take their business global, Export.gov has resources, training, and counseling to help you begin exporting or take your exporting to the next level, including an Export Assistance Center to get help from local trade specialists and exporting offices.

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