Compliance guides and resources

One missed filing. One outdated handbook policy. One payroll miscalculation. Any of these missteps can trigger penalties, lawsuits, or worse under Illinois employment law. And because the state’s regulations often exceed federal law, what works elsewhere might leave you exposed here. This guide breaks down what Illinois employers need to know in 2026—from the Illinois minimum wage and overtime rules to discrimination laws, sexual harassment training laws, and child labor laws. Whether you’re managing a team in Chicago or expanding across the state, understanding Illinois wage laws keeps your business protected and your employment practices on solid ground.

An HR compliance audit might not sound exciting, but it’s one of the most valuable tools you have for protecting your business. Compliance requirements vary wildly across states and localities. What’s legal in Texas might get you fined in California. Regular HR audits help you catch problems before they become expensive ones. How expensive? In fiscal year 2024, the EEOC recovered nearly $700 million for over 21,000 victims of workplace discrimination—the highest amount in its recent history. Those payouts came from employers who missed something. An audit helps make sure that “something” isn’t hiding in your HR processes.

Tax nexus refers to the connection between a business and a taxing jurisdiction that triggers compliance obligations. In California, nexus determines whether your company must register, file, and pay taxes in the state. Understanding California nexus is critical for any employer expanding operations, hiring remote workers, or selling to customers in the Golden State. California uses multiple tests to establish nexus—and each type operates independently. You might owe sales tax without owing income tax, or trigger employment obligations without hitting sales thresholds. This California sales tax guide walks you through the different nexus types, current thresholds, and what each means for your business.

Remote work vs telework might sound like the same thing. Many employers use the terms interchangeably, and in casual conversation, that’s fine. But when you’re managing a distributed workforce across multiple states, the distinction actually matters. Each arrangement creates different expectations around office attendance, location flexibility, and—most importantly for growing companies—compliance obligations. This guide breaks down the difference between remote work and telework, explains the pros and cons of each model, and shows how the right approach to workforce management can keep your team productive and your company compliant.

What state is home to over two-thirds of Fortune 500 companies, half of US public companies, and the beachside amusement park Funland? The answer, of course, is Delaware. While Delaware’s corporate law is famously friendly to large public corporations, banks, and credit card companies, incorporating in Delaware can also be a good choice for small or early-stage businesses—particularly those that plan to seek investor funding.

Conventional wisdom says that only death and taxes are certain. But while taxes may be certain, they aren’t always easy to understand. For multi-state business owners, that means determining what you owe (and where you owe it) can be complicated. Consider this following brain-teaser: A Wisconsin-based DTC pickle company grows cucumbers outside of Milwaukee, pickles them on site, and ships them to individual consumers all over the country. As the business grows, it retains the help of a New Jersey-based marketing professional and a fulfillment consultant in Michigan.

Every Delaware corporation must file its Delaware annual report and franchise tax by March 1 each year. Miss this deadline, and you’re facing penalties, interest, and too many headaches to count. Continued non-payment can even void your corporate charter entirely, stripping your business of legal standing. But there’s good news in all of this—these requirements are actually pretty straightforward once you understand them. That’s why we’re breaking down everything you need to know about Delaware’s franchise tax and annual report obligations today, including which entity type owes what, how to calculate your tax using both methods, and how to file without overpaying.

Managing payroll for remote employees across state lines can get complicated fast. Take the “convenience of the employer” rule, it’s an election that can complicate your payroll but might make the most sense for your business. In a nutshell, if a remote employee works from home for your convenience rather than theirs, you can choose to treat their work location as your office for payroll purposes. Pass the COE test, and you can skip registering for unemployment taxes in the employee’s home state.

If you run a business partnership, you’ve probably asked yourself: what is a 1065? IRS Form 1065, U.S. Return of Partnership Income, is the cornerstone of federal tax reporting for partnerships. Unlike corporations that file and pay their own taxes, partnerships are “pass-through” entities. This means partnership income, losses, deductions, and credits flow through to individual partners and get reported on their personal income tax returns.

A hostile work environment can quietly drain your organization. Lawsuits grab headlines, but the real damage often starts earlier—morale drops, turnover climbs, and your best employees leave before you know there’s a problem. Hostile working environment examples aren’t always obvious. Sometimes it’s a pattern of offensive jokes in a Slack channel. Other times it’s a manager who dismisses every complaint about harassment or discrimination. This guide covers what qualifies, common examples to recognize, signs to watch for, and how the right systems help you build a healthier workplace.