Midterms Are Weeks Away: What Your 501(c)(4) Can and Can't Do in an Election
A 501(c)(4) may electioneer only while politics stays under half its effort, per IRS rules — and political spending triggers 21% tax via Form 1120-POL.
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Legal
Legal considerations for business finance and accounting compliance
Someone Used Your Photo Without Paying. Federal Court Costs a Fortune — This Online Tribunal Hears Claims Up to $30,000
The Copyright Claims Board hears copyright claims up to $30,000 entirely online for $100 in fees — but you need a registration application to file.
One Trademark Application, 130-Plus Countries: How the Madrid Protocol Takes Your Brand Global
The Madrid Protocol lets one USPTO-based application seek trademark protection in 130-plus countries — but for five years, everything depends on the US filing.
Accounting Software for Law Firms in 2026: Clio vs. CosmoLex vs. MyCase (and When a QuickBooks Pairing Still Wins)
CosmoLex owns the trust ledger, Clio owns integrations, MyCase owns simplicity — firms already on QuickBooks should pair it with a legal layer.
Running a Lobbying Firm: Registration Thresholds, Quarterly Reporting, and the Fee Agreements That Can Void Your Contract
Federal lobbying firms must register within 45 days once a client's quarterly income tops $3,500 — then LD-2 reports publish that revenue every quarter.
Copyright Registration for Creators and Small Businesses: How a $45 Filing Unlocks Statutory Damages, and How to Register
Register your U.S. copyright before infringement or within 3 months of publication to unlock statutory damages up to $150,000 per work plus attorney's fees.
Delaware's SB 21 Is Now Settled Law: What Narrowed Shareholder Inspection Rights Mean for Your Funded Startup
Delaware's high court upheld SB 21: shareholder inspections now cover only formal records — minutes, board materials, financials. What founders must do.
You Just Got a Cease-and-Desist Letter: What to Do in the First 48 Hours
A cease-and-desist letter is not a court order. Verify the claim, preserve evidence, and reply on your timeline; silence or a hasty apology can cost you.
Can You Run a Credit Check on Job Applicants? State Bans and FCRA Rules for Small Employers
Eleven US states now bar most employer credit checks. Where they stay legal, the FCRA requires written disclosure, consent and adverse action notices.
The Shotgun Clause in Your Operating Agreement: How a Texas Shootout Breaks a 50/50 Deadlock
A shotgun clause lets one 50/50 LLC member name a buyout price the other must accept or match — a fast deadlock exit, if you avoid the valuation traps.
Selling on Credit? The FTC Holder Rule Means Your Customer's Complaints Follow the Loan
Omitting the FTC Holder Rule notice (16 CFR 433) from consumer credit contracts is the seller's violation — and buyers can assert your disputes against lenders.
LLC Administratively Dissolved? Reinstatement, Back Fees, and Your Liability Shield
Most states let a dissolved LLC reinstate by filing missed reports and paying back fees, but the gap can expose owners personally and free up your name.