The National Small Business Association recently conducted a survey in which owners reported having to spend an average of 40 hours preparing and filing their taxes. About 25 percent of those surveyed said they spent at least three weeks per year on tax preparation.

The time and paperwork occupied with taxes means less time is devoted to the actual running of these businesses.

National Funding, one of the largest private lenders of small-business loans, has created a free tax e-book for small business owners. The company, which has provided more than $1 billion in capital for over 20,000 businesses nationwide, said its goal is to equip owners with information that helps them prepare their financial documents prior to filing their federal tax return.

“National Funding created the online tax guide to empower and educate small-business owners about their taxes,” said David Gilbert, founder & CEO of National Funding. “Many of our customers reach out to us about needing funding for tax payments this time of the year, so we hope this book helps them save money and clear up confusion about the complex and ever-changing tax regulations.”

The 23-page e-book includes helpful tips and real-life examples such as:

• Checklist–documents needed prior to filling out a tax return or meeting with a tax professional
• Tax form chart–shows what tax forms are required for the four types of small businesses (Sole Proprietor, Partnership, S Corporation and C Corporation)
• Deductions–shows what business expenses can and cannot be deducted
• Explanation of Section 179–this section became a permanent tax rule this year that allows business owners to deduct the cost of equipment purchases or leasing payments up to $500,000.

To view or download the e-book, visit http://www.nationalfunding.com/landing/small-business-tax-prep-guide.