• Internal Revenue Service
• Patent & Trademark Office
• U.S. Small Business Administration
• SBA Office of Advocacy
• Women Entrepreneurship in the 21st Century

Use these links to get around Washington, D.C., Congress and government programs:

Department of Commerce - Promotes American businesses, maintains America's economic statistics, conducts the census, issues patents and trademarks, sets industrial standards, conducts oceanic research, and forecasts the weather.

Department of Labor - Deals with issues relating to workplace safety and health, pensions and benefit plans, employment and other issues related to the American workplace.

Environmental Protection Agency -The EPA's mission is to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment -- air, water, and land -- upon which life depends.

IRS - Download forms, find up-to-date tax information and find answers to just about any tax-related question you might have.

• IRS Small-Business Site
  This special section offers a broad range of resources for small businesses from tax tips to audit technique guides. There are also several helpful CD's with information on how to order a free copy.

Minority Business Development Agency - MBDA is the only Federal Agency created specifically to foster the creation, growth and expansion of minority-owned businesses in America.

Patent and Trademark Office - Learn about the USPTO, search databases of existing trademarks and patents, and jump to other patent and trademark sites.

Social Security Administration - Read about Social Security benefits or take advantage of online direct services.

Thomas - U.S. Congress on the Internet - A service of the U.S. Congressional Library and a great congressional resource.

U.S. Census Bureau - Your source for social, demographic and economic information.

U.S. House of Representatives - The official home page of the U.S. House of Representatives, with links to individual representatives' Web sites, legislative calendars, running accounts of floor actions and detailed information about the legislative process.

U.S. Senate - Information on the history of the Senate, current senators, and the Capitol building, including a virtual tour.

U.S. Small Business Administration - Tips on starting, expanding and financing your business includes an outstanding directory of information and links for local services.

• Office of Advocacy - Works to reduce the burdens that federal policies impose on small firms and maximize the benefits small businesses receive from the government.

• Office of Women's Business Ownership - Provides a network of training, counseling and mentoring services to help women start and/or expand businesses.

• Regulatory Fairness Boards - Makes certain that small businesses have a voice that will be heard by federal agencies as they go through the rule-making process.

• Small Business Access to Capital Electronic Network

• Small Business Development Centers - A cooperative effort of the private sector, the educational community and federal, state and local governments. It enhances economic development by providing small businesses with management and technical assistance.

• Small Business Innovation Research Program - Strengthen and expand the competitiveness of U. S. small high technology research and development businesses in the federal marketplace.

• Small Business Investment Company Program - Fills the gap between the availability of venture capital and the needs of small businesses in start-up and growth situations.

White House - Interactive citizens' handbook with index of government information. Includes White House documents, history and tours.

Women Entrepreneurship in the 21st Century - This Web site offers women entrepreneurs key resources, targeted information, registration for online programs and networking opportunities to help build their businesses.