Common Legal Issues Faced by Small Businesses

As a small business owner, it can be challenging to navigate the complex world of business law. However, understanding and addressing common legal issues can help you avoid costly and time-consuming legal disputes down the road.

From contracts to employment law, intellectual property to compliance issues, small businesses face a wide range of legal challenges. While it may be tempting to ignore these issues in favor of more pressing business matters, taking the time to address them proactively can save you a significant amount of time, money, and stress in the long run.

In this post, we'll cover some of the most common legal issues small businesses face, along with actionable advice on how to avoid them. Whether you're a new business owner just starting out or an established entrepreneur looking to protect your company, this guide is for you. So, let's dive in and explore the top legal issues facing small businesses today.

Common Legal Issues That Small Businesses Face

Small businesses face a variety of legal issues that can have a significant impact on their success. Here are some of the most common legal issues that small businesses face:

Entity Formation

Entity formation refers to the process of creating a legal structure for a small business. This structure determines the way the business is taxed, how its assets are protected, and how it is managed. Here are some of the things a small business will encounter with regard to entity formation:

• Choosing the right entity: There are several types of legal structures available for small businesses, including sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, S corporation, and C corporation. Each entity has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it is essential to choose the right structure that fits the business's needs.
• Registering with the state: Once a small business has chosen the right entity, it needs to register with the state where it is located. This involves filing the necessary paperwork, paying the required fees, and obtaining the necessary permits and licenses to operate legally.
• Drafting and filing the Articles of Incorporation or Organization: Depending on the entity type, small businesses will need to draft and file either Articles of Incorporation (for corporations) or Articles of Organization (for LLCs). These documents establish the business's legal existence and provide information such as the business's name, purpose, and registered agent.
• Obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN): An EIN is a unique identifier assigned by the IRS to identify a business for tax purposes. Small businesses need to obtain an EIN to open a bank account, pay taxes, and hire employees.
• Drafting and adopting bylaws or an operating agreement: Bylaws or an operating agreement are legal documents that establish the rules and procedures for managing the business. These documents specify how the business will be governed, how decisions will be made, and how profits and losses will be distributed among the owners.
• Maintaining compliance: Small businesses need to comply with state and federal regulations to avoid legal issues. This includes maintaining proper documentation, filing annual reports, paying taxes, and keeping up with any changes to the laws that affect the business.

Overall, entity formation is a critical step for small businesses, and it is essential to consult with an attorney or tax professional to ensure the business is set up correctly and is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Employment Law

Employment law can have a significant impact on small businesses. Here are some of the ways in which employment law can affect small businesses:

• Hiring: Small businesses need to comply with anti-discrimination laws during the hiring process. This means they cannot discriminate against applicants based on their race, gender, age, religion, or disability. Small businesses also need to verify that applicants are legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Wage and Hour Laws: Small businesses must comply with federal and state wage and hour laws that regulate minimum wage, overtime pay, and meal and rest breaks. Violations of these laws can result in costly legal disputes and financial penalties.
• Employee Classification: Small businesses need to classify their workers properly as either employees or independent contractors. Misclassifying workers can lead to legal disputes, fines, and back-pay claims.
• Discrimination and Harassment: Small businesses must ensure that their workplace is free from discrimination and harassment. This includes providing employees with a safe and respectful work environment and addressing any complaints of discrimination or harassment promptly.
• Family and Medical Leave: Small businesses that have 50 or more employees are required to provide eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for family or medical reasons under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Violations of the FMLA can result in legal disputes and financial penalties.
• Workplace Safety: Small businesses need to provide a safe working environment for their employees. This includes complying with federal and state safety regulations and providing employees with training on how to avoid workplace accidents and injuries.
• Termination: Small businesses need to follow proper procedures when terminating employees to avoid legal disputes. This includes providing employees with advance notice of termination, conducting exit interviews, and complying with any contractual obligations.

Employment law can impact small businesses in many ways. Failing to comply with employment laws can result in costly legal disputes, fines, and damage to the business's reputation. It is essential for small businesses to stay up-to-date with the latest employment laws and regulations and consult with an attorney if they have any questions or concerns.

Intellectual Property

Intellectual property (IP) refers to the legal rights that protect the creations of the human mind. These creations can include inventions, artistic works, and symbols, among others. Small businesses can encounter several legal issues related to IP. Here are some of the most common ones:

• Trademark Infringement: Trademarks are used to distinguish a business's goods and services from those of others. Small businesses can face legal issues if they use a trademark that is too similar to another business's trademark. This can lead to allegations of trademark infringement, which can result in legal disputes and financial damages.
• Copyright Infringement: Copyrights protect original works of authorship, such as books, music, and software. Small businesses can face legal issues if they use copyrighted material without permission. This can lead to allegations of copyright infringement, which can result in legal disputes and financial damages.
• Patent Infringement: Patents protect inventions and other discoveries. Small businesses can face legal issues if they create a product or process that infringes on another business's patent. This can lead to allegations of patent infringement, which can result in legal disputes and financial damages.
• Trade Secret Misappropriation: Trade secrets are confidential information that gives a business a competitive advantage. Small businesses can face legal issues if an employee or competitor steals or uses their trade secrets without permission. This can lead to allegations of trade secret misappropriation, which can result in legal disputes and financial damages.
• Domain Name Disputes: Domain names are used to identify websites on the internet. Small businesses can face legal issues if someone registers a domain name that is too similar to their business name or trademark. This can lead to domain name disputes, which can result in legal disputes and financial damages.

Small businesses need to be aware of the different types of IP and take steps to protect their intellectual property rights. This includes registering trademarks, copyrights, and patents where applicable, and taking steps to prevent trade secret misappropriation. Small businesses should also consult with an attorney if they have any questions or concerns regarding their intellectual property rights.

Taxes

Small businesses can face several tax-related issues that can impact their bottom line. Here are some of the most common tax-related issues that small businesses may encounter:

• Business Entity Selection: The type of business entity a small business chooses can have significant tax implications. Different business entities, such as sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies (LLCs), are subject to different tax rules.
• Payroll Taxes: Small businesses are required to withhold and remit payroll taxes from employee wages. These taxes include federal income tax, Social Security tax, and Medicare tax. Failure to withhold and remit these taxes can result in costly penalties and interest charges.
• Sales Tax: Small businesses that sell goods and services may be required to collect and remit sales tax to the state. Sales tax rules can vary by state, and failure to collect and remit sales tax can result in penalties and interest charges.
• Tax Credits and Deductions: Small businesses may be eligible for various tax credits and deductions that can reduce their tax liability. These include the research and development (R&D) tax credit, the Section 179 deduction for equipment purchases, and the home office deduction for self-employed individuals.
• Tax Audits: Small businesses can be audited by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or state tax authorities. An audit can be time-consuming and costly, and can result in the assessment of additional taxes, penalties, and interest charges.
• Tax Planning: Small businesses should engage in tax planning to minimize their tax liability. This can include deferring income, accelerating expenses, and taking advantage of tax credits and deductions.

Small businesses need to be aware of the various tax-related issues they may encounter and take steps to comply with tax laws and regulations. Consulting with a tax professional can help small businesses navigate the complex tax landscape and ensure compliance.

Daytona Beach Business Lawyers

Small businesses face many legal challenges in their day-to-day operations. From entity formation to employment law, intellectual property to tax issues, it is important for small business owners to be aware of these challenges and take proactive steps to address them.

While many small businesses may attempt to navigate these legal challenges on their own, it is often advisable to seek the assistance of experienced business law attorneys. At Aaron Delgado & Associates, our team of experienced attorneys has helped many small businesses navigate the legal challenges they face, allowing them to focus on what they do best – growing and thriving in their respective industries.

If you are a small business owner and need legal assistance or guidance, please do not hesitate to contact us at Aaron Delgado & Associates. Our team of experienced attorneys is here to help you navigate the legal challenges you face and achieve the success you deserve.