Keep your business compliant with state and federal business laws. Your legal responsibilities will depend on your business and location.
To stay legally compliant, you’ll need to meet external and internal business compliance requirements. Most external requirements involve filing paperwork or paying taxes with state or federal governments.
Internal business requirements are for your own record keeping. You should document your compliance with internal requirements closely with company records. You might need them when you decide to sell your business or if a legal action is taken against your business.
Corporations have the strictest internal requirements. Corporations should hold initial and annual director and shareholder meetings, record their meeting minutes, adopt and maintain bylaws, issue stock to shareholders, and record all stock transfers.
LLCs have less strict internal requirements. However, they are generally advised to maintain an updated operating agreement, issue membership shares, record all membership interest transfers, and hold annual meetings.
Other business structures have few, if any internal requirements. However, it’s rarely a bad idea to document important decisions with your business.
John and Kelly’s auto repair shop has to comply with state and federal business laws, as well as industry regulations.
As an auto repair shop, John and Kelly’s business has to follow environmental regulations regarding the handling of hazardous liquids and other materials. They check the website of their state Environmental Protection Agency and find a checklist of regulations they must follow and permits they have to obtain.
Some of their employees have been trained and certified by EPA-approved organizations on the proper way to handle hazardous materials. John and Kelly keep records of the certificates and permits.
Part of staying legally compliant means paying all federal and state taxes. Additionally, John and Kelly renew their business license along with other local permits they need to continue to stay within code and operating regulations.
John and Kelly’s business is also required to display certain posters that inform employees of their rights. They get these posters free of charge from the U.S. Department of Labor.
John and Kelly’s business has met all its filing requirements and is legally compliant.
Your annual filing requirements are based on your business structure and the state. Still, there are a few common requirements to look out for:
Most businesses won’t have federal requirements beyond paying federal taxes and complying with the Affordable Care Act. Make sure that you meet all federal tax obligations, including income and employer taxes.
The Affordable Care Act requires businesses with 50 or more employees to report to the IRS that they provide health coverage.
If your business has any federal licenses, permits, or certificates, you’ll need to keep those up to date.
Some business activities are regulated but don’t require filing. Make sure to stay in compliance with any applicable marketing and advertising laws, copyright laws, workplace poster laws, workplace health and safety laws, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The documents for staying legally compliant vary based on your industry and location.
Maintain any licenses, permits, or certificates your business received from your state, city, or county. Renewal requirements vary, so it’s best to check with local business licensing offices.
For example, most restaurants need to regularly renew health and safety certificates. Businesses that sell regulated items like tobacco, alcohol, or tires might need to regularly renew their sales permits. For professional services like plumbing or nursing, the state might require certification with a third-party board to keep your license.
For federal licenses, permits, and certificates, check with the issuing institution to confirm renewal requirements for your business. Here’s a list of some common federal agencies and departments that small businesses register with: