A Foreign Investor Owns Part of Your U.S. Business? The BEA Surveys You Must File Even If Nobody Contacts You
If a foreign investor owns 10%+ of your U.S. business, BEA surveys are mandatory: BE-13 in 45 days, yearly BE-15, and the BE-12 benchmark.
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Compliance
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California's AB 692 Just Banned Most "Stay-or-Pay" Employment Contracts: What Small Employers Must Fix Now
California AB 692 voids stay-or-pay clauses signed on or after January 1, 2026 — audit your offer letters now or risk $5,000 per affected worker.
Selling Abroad? The FCPA Rules Every Small Exporter Should Know
The U.S. FCPA covers small exporters too: a foreign agent's bribe can be yours, grease payments rarely qualify, and clean books are your best defense.
The First Sale Rule: How Importers Who Buy Through Middlemen Can Legally Pay Less in Tariffs
Importers buying via a middleman can declare the factory's first-sale price to U.S. Customs and cut duties 10–20%, if every tier is documented.
Illinois Freelance Worker Protection Act: What Hiring Businesses Must Put in Writing
Illinois FWPA: freelance deals of $500+ (aggregated over 120 days) need a written contract and payment within 30 days — or owe double damages plus fees.
The PACA Trust: How Produce Sellers Get Paid First When a Buyer Goes Bankrupt
Under 7 U.S.C. 499e(c), unpaid produce sellers are paid from a buyer's trust assets before other creditors — if terms stay ≤30 days and notice is timely.
Should You Report Your Tenants' Rent to the Credit Bureaus? A Landlord's Guide
73% of renters say credit reporting would make them pay on time. Compare landlord-led vs. tenant-paid services, costs, and FCRA consent rules.
Showing Movies at Your Bar, Gym, or Waiting Room: What a License Costs
Playing a DVD or Netflix for customers is a public performance: fines run $750–$150,000 per film, while an MPLC umbrella license costs about $1,000 a year.
South Carolina's Small Business Regulatory Freedom Act Is Now Law: What H.3021 Changes for Your Business
South Carolina's H.3021 requires a legislative vote for agency rules costing $1M+ over five years and ends court deference to agencies.
2027 UCR Registration Opens October 1 With Fees Up 20%: What Owner-Operators and Small Fleets Owe
2027 UCR fees rise ~20% — $55 for 0–2 vehicles, up to $54,165 for 1,001+. Registration opens Oct 1, due Dec 31.
VETS-4212 Is Due September 30: The Federal Contractor's Last-Minute Filing Guide
Any U.S. federal contractor holding one $200,000+ contract must file VETS-4212 by September 30, whatever its headcount — here's the data, locations and fixes.
Botswana's 2026 Tax Overhaul: Digital-Services VAT, New Due Dates, and What Small Operators Must Do
Botswana charges 14% VAT on non-resident digital services from Oct 1, 2026, and reverse charge starts Aug 1. Thresholds, due dates and record rules explained.