Business Compliance Guides and Resources
Annual reports, franchise taxes, good standing and the filings that keep a business active with the state.
99 articles
Annual Report Requirements by State
Learn annual report requirements by state, including fees from $0 to $500, filing deadlines, which states require none, and what missing one costs you.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance for Small Businesses
Learn which anti-money laundering rules apply to small businesses, including cash reporting, sanctions screening, and beneficial ownership basics.
Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Checklist
Learn which businesses still owe a beneficial ownership information report to FinCEN, the filing steps, deadlines, and the exemption for U.S. companies.
Beneficial Ownership Reporting: What Businesses Should Know
Learn what beneficial ownership reporting requires in 2026, including which companies are exempt, which still must file, and the deadlines that apply.
Business Dissolution Checklist
Learn the business dissolution checklist, covering member or board approval, winding up, state filings, final tax returns, and closing accounts.
Business Insurance Requirements by Industry
Learn which types of business insurance are legally required by industry, including trucking, construction, liquor, childcare, and licensed professions.
Business Licenses and Permits: Complete Guide
Learn which business licenses and permits you need at the federal, state and local level, how to find them, what they cost, and how often to renew them.
Business Recordkeeping Requirements
Learn business recordkeeping requirements, including IRS retention periods for tax, employment and property records, and what to keep indefinitely.
CAN-SPAM Act Compliance Checklist
Find out what the CAN-SPAM Act compliance checklist requires, including disclosures, opt-out rules, and the FTC's per-email penalty for violations.
Certificate of Good Standing: What It Is and How to Get One
Learn what a certificate of good standing is, what it costs by state, when businesses need one, and how to request it from your Secretary of State.
Charitable Solicitation Registration Requirements
Learn which states require charitable solicitation registration before a nonprofit can ask for donations, plus renewal rules and common exemptions.
Compliance Software vs. Professional Compliance Services
Compare compliance software and professional compliance services, including what each one actually does, what it costs, and which fits a small business.
Construction Business Compliance Checklist
Learn the compliance rules a construction business must track, including contractor licensing, OSHA recordkeeping, workers' comp, and prevailing wage.
Cookie Consent Requirements Explained
Learn cookie consent requirements under state privacy laws, including opt-out links, Global Privacy Control signals, and which businesses must comply.
Corporate Minutes and Resolutions Explained
Learn what corporate minutes and resolutions are, when a corporation must keep them, what to include, and how they protect the corporate veil.
Corporate Records Book: What to Include
Learn what to keep in a corporate records book, including formation documents, meeting minutes, ownership ledgers, and licenses for an LLC or corporation.
Corporation Compliance Checklist by Year
Learn what a corporation must do to stay compliant by year, including year-one filings, board meetings, annual reports, taxes, and registered agents.
Data Privacy Compliance for Small Businesses
Learn data privacy compliance basics for small businesses, including FTC security expectations, breach notification laws, and state privacy law triggers.
E-Commerce Compliance Checklist
Review an e-commerce compliance checklist covering sales tax nexus, privacy policies, email marketing rules, shipping disclosures, and subscriptions.
Email Marketing Compliance Requirements
Learn the CAN-SPAM Act's email marketing rules, including required disclosures, opt-out timing, and FTC penalties of up to $53,088 per violation.
Employee Handbook Requirements and Best Practices
Learn what federal and state law expects in an employee handbook, including harassment policies, required postings, leave notices, and training rules.
Employer Compliance Checklist for Small Businesses
Learn the employer compliance checklist for small businesses, covering I-9s, new hire reporting, payroll tax deposits, posters, and workers' comp.
Federal Business Licenses: Who Needs Them
Learn which industries need a federal business license, including alcohol, firearms, aviation and broadcasting, and which agency issues each one.
Federal vs. State vs. Local Business Compliance Requirements
Compare federal, state and local business compliance requirements, including taxes, licenses, annual reports, and which agency handles each obligation.
Foreign Qualification Checklist for Expanding Businesses
Learn the foreign qualification checklist for an expanding LLC or corporation, including certificates of good standing, fees, and ongoing filings.
Healthcare Business Compliance Checklist
Learn the healthcare business compliance checklist, covering HIPAA privacy and security rules, OSHA, licensing, and DEA and CMS registration.
Home-Based Business License Requirements
Learn what a home-based business needs for licensing, including a home occupation permit, zoning rules, a general business license, and state tax permits.
How Long Should a Business Keep Records?
Find out how long a business should keep records, including the IRS's 3-, 4-, 6- and 7-year rules and which documents to keep indefinitely.
How to Build a Business Compliance Program
Learn how to build a business compliance program, including assigning ownership, tracking deadlines, choosing tools, and reviewing it every year.
How to Change a Business Address With the State
Learn how to change a business address with the state, including registered agent updates, amendment fees, and notifying the IRS with Form 8822-B.
How to Change a Business Name With the State
Learn how to change a business name with the state, including filing an amendment, updating the IRS, and notifying banks and other states.
How to Change a Registered Agent
Learn how to change a registered agent as part of your compliance recordkeeping, including the state filing, fees from $0 to $100, and what else to update.
How to Change an LLC Manager or Member
Learn how to change an LLC manager or member, including operating agreement amendments, state filings, IRS Form 8822-B, and recordkeeping steps.
How to Change Business Ownership Records
Learn how to change business ownership records, including updating your operating agreement, the IRS responsible party, and your state's filing office.
How to Change Officers or Directors With the State
Learn how to change a corporation's officers or directors with the state, including board approval, annual report updates, and IRS notification steps.
How to Check a Business’s Good Standing Status
Learn how to check a business's good standing status using your state's free online business entity search, and what each status label means.
How to Choose a Business Compliance Service
Learn how to choose a business compliance service, including what to check for pricing, state coverage, deadline alerts, and what's actually included.
How to Close a Business With State Agencies
Learn how to close a business with state agencies, including canceling your sales tax permit, withholding account, unemployment account, and licenses.
How to Close a Business With the IRS
Learn how to close a business with the IRS, including the final return for your entity type, employment taxes, paying what you owe, and the EIN letter.
How to Comply With Wage and Hour Laws
Learn how to comply with wage and hour laws under the FLSA, including minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor requirements.
How to Create a Business Compliance Calendar
Learn how to create a business compliance calendar, including which recurring deadlines to list, how far ahead to set reminders, and what tools to use.
How to Dissolve a Corporation
Learn how to dissolve a corporation, including board and shareholder approval, Form 966, winding up, and filing a certificate of dissolution.
How to Dissolve a Nonprofit
Learn how to dissolve a nonprofit, including board approval, distributing remaining assets, the final Form 990 with Schedule N, and state filings.
How to Dissolve an LLC
Learn how to dissolve an LLC, including member approval, winding up, final IRS filings, state paperwork, fees, and canceling your EIN.
How to File a Business Annual Report
Learn how to file a business annual report for an LLC, corporation or nonprofit, including where to file, typical deadlines, and fees from $0 to $500.
How to Find Required Business Licenses and Permits
Learn how to find required business licenses and permits, including SBA tools, state licensing portals, and who to call at the city or county level.
How to Keep a Business in Good Standing
Learn how to keep a business in good standing, including recurring deadlines, late-filing penalties, and what triggers administrative dissolution.
How to Maintain Corporate Compliance
Learn how to maintain corporate compliance across state filings, governance, taxes, licensing, and employment rules, and what a lapse can cost you.
How to Maintain LLC Compliance
Learn how to maintain LLC compliance across state filings, records, taxes, licensing, and employment rules, and what a lapse in each one can cost you.
How to Maintain Nonprofit Compliance
Learn how to maintain nonprofit compliance, including the annual Form 990 filing, state charitable registration, and the rule for losing tax-exempt status.
How to Obtain an EIN for a Business
Learn how to obtain an EIN for a business, including who actually needs one, the information required, and the free IRS application methods.
How to Protect the Corporate Veil
Learn how to protect the corporate veil through ongoing compliance habits, including separate finances, current state filings, and documented decisions.
How to Register a Foreign Corporation
Learn how to register a foreign corporation the compliance way, including penalties for operating unregistered and the filings it creates afterward.
How to Register a Foreign LLC
Learn how to register a foreign LLC the compliance way, including penalties for operating unregistered and the ongoing filings it creates.
How to Register for Sales Tax
Learn how to register for sales tax, including determining nexus, applying through your state's revenue agency, and collecting tax before you sell.
How to Register for State Employer Taxes
Learn how to register for state employer taxes, including unemployment insurance and withholding, which state agency handles each, and filing deadlines.
How to Register to Fundraise in Multiple States
Learn how to register a nonprofit to fundraise in multiple states, including picking states, using the Unified Registration Statement, and renewals.
How to Reinstate a Business After Administrative Dissolution
Learn how to reinstate a business after administrative dissolution, including filing missed reports, paying back fees, and state time limits.
How to Update Beneficial Ownership Information
Learn how to update or correct a beneficial ownership information report with FinCEN, which changes trigger it, and the 30-day filing deadline.
How to Update Business Information With the IRS
Learn how to update your business address, responsible party or legal name with the IRS using Form 8822-B and the correct name-change procedure.
How to Withdraw a Foreign Corporation From a State
Learn how to withdraw a foreign corporation from a state, including tax clearance, fees from free to $175, and what keeps costing you if you skip it.
How to Withdraw a Foreign LLC From a State
Learn how to withdraw a foreign LLC from a state, including tax clearance, filing fees from $0 to $15, and why unfiled withdrawals keep costing fees.
Independent Contractor vs. Employee Compliance
Compare independent contractor and employee classification under the DOL's economic reality test and the IRS's common law test.
Industry-Specific Business Compliance Requirements
Learn how business compliance requirements differ by industry, with examples across food service, healthcare, construction, finance and e-commerce.
LLC Compliance Checklist by Year
Learn what an LLC must do to stay compliant by year, including year-one setup, annual reports, registered agents, taxes, and recordkeeping.
LLC Recordkeeping Requirements
Learn LLC recordkeeping requirements, including formation documents, financial records, and how long the IRS expects you to keep tax records.
Local Business Licenses and Permits Explained
Learn how local business licenses and permits work, including general licenses, zoning and health permits, fees, renewals, and multi-city operations.
Nonprofit Compliance Checklist by Year
Learn a nonprofit compliance checklist organized by the year, covering the federal Form 990 deadline, state annual reports, and fundraising registration.
Nonprofit Regulatory Compliance Checklist
Learn the regulatory rules a 501(c)(3) nonprofit must follow, including the political activity ban, lobbying limits, UBIT, and private inurement rules.
Online Business License Requirements
Learn online business license requirements, including local licenses based on where you work, sales tax permits, and the FTC's 30-day shipping rule.
Privacy Policy Requirements for Business Websites
Learn when a business website legally needs a privacy policy, what it must disclose, and why it has to match your actual data practices.
Professional License Requirements for Business Owners
Learn how professional license requirements work for business owners, including which professions need one, state licensing boards, and renewal rules.
Professional Services Compliance Checklist
Learn the professional services compliance checklist, covering individual licensing, entity rules, client trust accounts, E&O insurance, and renewals.
Real Estate Business Compliance Checklist
Learn the real estate business compliance checklist, covering state licensing, trust account rules, Fair Housing Act duties, and RESPA disclosures.
Required Workplace Posters for Employers
Learn which federal workplace posters employers must display, including FLSA, OSHA, EEOC and FMLA posters, and which apply by employee count.
Restaurant Compliance Checklist
Learn the restaurant compliance checklist, including food service permits, liquor licenses, tipped wage rules, and required workplace postings.
Sales Tax Nexus Explained for Online Businesses
Learn how sales tax nexus works for online sellers, including physical and economic nexus, the Wayfair decision, and how to check a state's threshold.
Sales Tax Permit: What It Is and Who Needs One
Learn what a sales tax permit is, which states require one, how economic nexus works, and the penalty for collecting sales tax without a permit.
Small Business Compliance Checklist
Review a small business compliance checklist covering registered agents, annual reports, licenses, sales tax, insurance, and recordkeeping.
Small Business Payroll Compliance Checklist
Learn the small business payroll compliance checklist, including tax deposit schedules, Form 941 versus 944, FUTA, and the January 31 W-2 deadline.
State Business Licenses: Who Needs Them
Learn who needs a state business license, including professional licensing boards, sales tax permits, and state-regulated industries like contracting.
Telemarketing Compliance for Small Businesses
Learn telemarketing compliance basics for small businesses, including Do Not Call rules, calling hours, required consent, and TCPA penalty amounts.
Terms and Conditions for E-Commerce Websites
Learn what terms and conditions for an e-commerce website should include, and why a clickwrap agreement is more enforceable than a footer link alone.
Text Message Marketing Compliance Basics
Learn the TCPA basics for text message marketing, including written consent, opt-out handling within 10 business days, and penalties per message.
Top 10 Business Compliance Mistakes to Avoid
Learn the top 10 business compliance mistakes, including registered agent lapses, missed annual reports, and licensing gaps that put good standing at risk.
Top 10 Business Filing Deadlines to Track
See the top 10 business filing deadlines to track, including annual reports, franchise taxes, payroll deposits, and nonprofit Form 990 due dates.
Top 10 Compliance Requirements for New Businesses
Review the top 10 compliance requirements for new businesses, from choosing a structure and getting an EIN to licenses and insurance.
Top 10 Foreign Qualification Mistakes to Avoid
Learn the top 10 foreign qualification mistakes to avoid, including registering late, skipping a second registered agent, and ignoring ongoing filings.
Top 10 Website Compliance Mistakes to Avoid
Learn the top 10 website compliance mistakes businesses make, covering privacy policies, cookie consent, CAN-SPAM, accessibility, and shipping disclosures.
Website Accessibility Compliance: What Businesses Should Know
Learn website accessibility compliance basics for businesses, including the ADA's Title III standard, WCAG guidance, and common access barriers.
What Does Business Compliance Mean?
Learn what business compliance means, including the state, federal, local and industry obligations it covers and what happens when a business falls behind.
What Happens If You Miss an Annual Report Deadline?
Find out what happens if you miss a business annual report deadline, from late fees and lost good standing to administrative dissolution and reinstatement.
What Is a Registered Agent and Why Is It Required?
Learn what a registered agent is, why every state requires one for LLCs and corporations, and what happens to your compliance status without one.
What Is an Annual Report for a Business?
Learn what an annual report for a business is, what it includes, why states require it, and how it differs from a shareholder financial report.
What Is Foreign Qualification?
Learn what foreign qualification is, including the registration process, state fees, and what happens if a business skips it in a state where it operates.
What Is Workers’ Compensation Insurance?
Learn what workers' compensation insurance is, which employers must carry it, what it covers, and why Texas is the one state where it's optional.
When Does a Business Need a New EIN?
Find out when the IRS requires a new EIN, by entity type, including incorporating, bankruptcy, mergers, and which changes keep your existing EIN instead.
When Does a Business Need to Foreign Qualify?
Find out when a business needs to foreign qualify, including what counts as transacting business and the activities most states exclude.
When Does a Business Need Workers’ Compensation Insurance?
Find out when a business must carry workers' compensation insurance, including employee-count thresholds and industry exceptions by state.