Client Alert: Corporate Transparency Act Compliance
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), which aims to combat money laundering, tax fraud, the financing of terrorism, and other illicit activity through the use of anonymous shell and front companies, has officially gone into effect. This new requirement affects nearly all of our clients by requiring “reporting companies” to report beneficial ownership information (BOI) to the U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). New business entities will also have to disclose information about who created the entity or registered it to do business in the U.S.
Navigating the Legal Potholes of Small Business
Shay joins Ashley Cox’s podcast, The Ripple Effect, to discuss the legal potholes of small businesses.
Excerpt: We discussed the complexities of employment laws, where Shay emphasized the importance of having legal support to help you protect your business from potential lawsuits and reputation damage.
Advertising Law Part 2: Facing the Competition
We frequently tell clients and prospective clients that no matter what kind of business you own and no matter how much time you’d like to spend developing your products or providing your services, the thing that will take up most of your time as an entrepreneur is really marketing. You have to let potential customers and clients know about your products or services and why they should choose you over the competition. But how much can you really say about the competition in your advertising materials?
Advertising Law: What Small Businesses Need to Know
Being an entrepreneur requires you to wear many hats. Not only do you have to provide a great product or service, but you’re also responsible for all of the financial details like setting prices, learning how to use accounting software, managing expenses; long term strategic planning, especially if you plan to grow the business; and human resources and the never-ending challenging of managing people. But no matter what kind of business you run, it seems like your “real” job is sales and marketing. After all, none of the other staff matters if you can’t get customers or clients to buy what you’re selling.
Legislation to Watch: Corporate Transparency Act
There is a major change on the horizon that will impact filing requirements for the vast majority of our small business clients. In January of 2021, Congress passed the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), which amended the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 (AMLA), to crack down on the use of shell companies to launder money. You […]
What You Need to Know About Closing Down Your Business
You might decide to close your business for a number of reasons. Perhaps it is no longer financially feasible, or maybe you are moving on to something else. Regardless of the reason, there are several legal tasks you’ll need to undertake to protect yourself, your credit, and your reputation within the community—especially if you think […]
Can I Start a Business While I am Still Employed?
You still have a job—yet you are itching to start a business. You might wonder if you have the time to do so, or if you are even allowed to do so. The answer depends on whether you signed an employment agreement and what kind of role you have with your current employer. Here are […]
Piercing the Corporate Veil: Limited Liability? Not So Fast!
Forming a business entity like an LLC or a corporation typically provides limited liability protection to the owners. But in certain situations, you can find yourself personally on the hook for the debts and obligations of the business. This week we’re discussing the legal concept of “piercing the corporate veil” and why it’s used so often against small business owners.
Yes, YOU! You Need an LLC Operating Agreement!
Just like you shouldn’t do business on a handshake, you shouldn’t operate your business on a handshake either. But too many entrepreneurs regularly go into business without any formal documentation. If you have business partners, so-called “silent” investors, or took money from friends and family, I cannot stress enough how important it is to have the terms of these partnerships documented in a formal written agreement. Otherwise, it’s just a dispute waiting to happen.
COVID-19: SBA Loan Options
There are 2 major loan programs currently being offered by the SBA to help small businesses and nonprofit organizations minimize the economic impacts caused by the current Coronavirus pandemic. This post will cover the Economic Injury Disaster Relief loans and the extension of the 7(a) loan program under the CARES Act. TLDR: If you are […]
