Navigating the legal landscape of running a business is crucial for small business owners. On top of daily operational issues, ensuring compliance with government mandates and employment laws can be daunting. NFIB’s Legal Center has developed guides on important legal mandates for small business owners, to provide them with digestible information on these topics.
Guide to Wage and Hour Laws
Understanding wage laws and determining whether employees are exempt or non-exempt is one of the most challenging problems for small business owners. NFIB Legal Center’s Guide to Wage and Hour Laws covers issues including the Fair Labor Standards ACT (FLSA), minimum wage laws, overtime pay, and crucial compliance issues for employers.
Debt Collection Guide
One of the most frustrating situations for a business owner is when a client does not pay what is owed. Luckily there are numerous and effective ways to recover payment and avoid nonpayment altogether. NFIB Legal Center’s Debt Collection Guide discusses your options when navigating collections issues as well as avoiding them in the first place.
Out-of-State Sales Tax Requirements
In 2018 the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair significantly altered the out-of-state seller tax rules. Because of this decision, states can require that out-of-state sellers collect sales tax from in state customers and pay these sums to the state, even if the seller does not have a physical presence in that state. NFIB Legal Center’s Out-of-State Sales tax requirements chart serves as a starting point for business owners selling across state lines.
Model Employee Handbook
The NFIB Legal Center created the Model Employee Handbook for Small Business to assist employers in creating their own employee handbook. This broad guide can be modified to fit your size and business needs. You can find an editable document listed on the main legal guide series page here.
Guide to Independent Contractors
Employee classification is a crucial, but complex process. Errors in these determinations can cost thousands of dollars in penalties and back taxes if you are not compliant. NFIB’s Legal Center created the Guide to Independent Contractors to help business owners make these determinations and take steps to be compliant.
Guide to Managing Unionization Efforts
Facing a union campaign as a business owner can be anxiety-inducing and a daunting task. Due to the many laws surrounding unionization efforts, NFIB’s Legal Center created the Guide to Managing Unionization Efforts to help you as a business owner understand your rights and responsibilities when facing these campaigns.
Small Business Guide to Document Retention
NFIB’s Legal Center created the Small Business Guide to Document Retention to help small businesses owners draft a policy for saving and discarding documents, including e-mail and web pages, that are received and created in the ordinary course of business. A document retention policy can be useful in promoting organization and efficiency in your business.
Small Business Guide to Handling OSHA Inspections
NFIB’s Legal Center created the Small Business Guide to Handling OSHA Inspections to prepare business owners for OSHA inspections and citations. The guide provides information on what you will need for OSHA inspections, as well as vital information on how to communicate and negotiate with OSHA.
NFIB Guide to Taxes
NFIB’s Legal center created the NFIB Guide to Taxes to provide tips to small businesses on lowering their taxes and avoiding audits. This guide discusses tax programs, incentives, deductions, and more that can help save your business money.
Federal Employment Law Handbook
In concert with the Atlantic Legal Foundation, NFIB’s Legal Center created the Federal Employment Law Handbook as an employment law resource for small business owners. The guide covers crucial laws including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and many more. This guide simplifies complex federal laws and requirements for small business owners.
The NFIB Legal Center creates and provides our Legal Guide series to be a starting point, and reference, for small business owners navigating complex legal issues. They should not be taken as a replacement for legal counsel. If you are navigating the difficult legal issues discussed in these guides, we strongly urge you to consult with an attorney. If you need help finding an attorney, or have questions regarding these guides, reach out to the NFIB Legal Center at [email protected].
