Annual Compliance Checklist for Small Businesses
It's important to keep your small business in compliance. You can use our annual compliance checklist to help you stay on track.
Year-end is a perfect time to review your business operations and make sure that you are in full compliance with all state requirements. Many business owners lose sight of these requirements and fail to realize they haven't met compliance requirements. Use our year-end checklist to determine which business filings you need to perform to manage this year's activities and changes. Business compliance can slip through the cracks, but by taking the time to review your business operations, you can ensure that your business is on track for a successful year.
| Business Activity Performed This Year | Compliance Filing Required |
|---|---|
| Hired your first employee(s) | Register for payroll taxes |
| Started charging sales tax | Register for sales tax |
| Changed your business activity or purpose | File an Articles of Amendment |
| Changed your business name | File an Articles of Amendment Order a new Corporate or LLC Kit and Embosser |
| Assumed an alternate business name for an existing corporation or LLC | File a DBA (Fictitious Business Names) Revise existing Trademarks |
| Changed your business address | File an Articles of Amendment |
| Moved the location of your business to a new state | Process a Redomestication Filing Revise your Registered Agent Services |
| Apply for a business loan | Submit a Certificate of Good Standing |
| Expanded your business into a new state(s) | File for Foreign Qualification |
| Expanded your business internationally | Request Apostille Certification |
| Changed the ownership of your business | Create a new LLC Operating Agreement File an Articles of Amendment Order LLC Member Certificates |
| Merged with another company or were acquired | Call us for assistance. |
| Changes your members or board of directors | File an Articles of Amendment Request Custom Bylaws and Minutes |
| Elected S corporation status | File Form 2553 |
| Added a new division to your business | Call us for assistance. |
| Changed your business entity type | File a Conversion |
| Changed an LLC's management format (ex: member-managed to manager-managed) |
File an Articles of Amendment |
| Changed the type of stock offered | File an Articles of Amendment Order Corporate Stock Certificates |
| Changed the number of shares authorized | File an Articles of Amendment Order Corporate Stock Certificates |
| Fell out of compliance with the state (your business is delinquent on filings) |
File a Reinstatement |
| Failed to file your annual report with the state | File a Reinstatement File an Annual Report |
| Sold part of your business | Call us for assistance. |
| Closed your business | File Articles of Dissolution |
| Business license or permit expired | Renew your Business Licenses |
| Held an annual meeting | Draft Annual Meeting Minutes |