Having a part-time or full-time accountant on your staff is not always possible, especially when you're starting out. However, you also can't avoid your tax deadlines (e.g., state sales tax returns, federal income tax return, state income tax return). So, what do you do?

DIY tax resources

If you absolutely need to stick with diy accounting or self-prepare your tax forms, then turn to reliable resources such as

• bookkeeping tutorials
• accounting and tax books
• self-help guides
• small business forms and checklists
• 1099-NEC step-by-step guide
• mentoring sessions
• IRS memos, manuals, and instructions
• US Tax Court cases

TIP: Sign up for subscriptions and applications that professionals use (e.g., try the search term 'tax research').

Learning about small business tax deductions

Make peace with the fact you'll never gain the same level of knowledge as a licensed business accountant who has years of hands-on experience and one or more college degrees. It's why you need to pay for consultations from time to time (there's no getting around it).

It's also common to become frustrated because the subject contains technical language. Plus, you'll face a slower learning curve because the tax code has thousands of statutes. The rules may become amended or removed, so once you think you've mastered a subtopic, it can completely change.

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