Small Business Annual Compliance Checklist
Don’t let your small business fall out of compliance. Use our annual compliance checklist to stay on track.
Business compliance can slip through the cracks! As your existing business evolves, you are required to file notify the state of any changes. Many business owners lose sight of these requirements and fail to realize they haven’t met compliance requirements.
Year-end is a perfect time to review your operations and make sure your business is in full compliance. Use our year-end checklist to determine which business filings you need to perform to manage this year’s activities and changes.
Annual Compliance Checklist
| Business Activity Performed This Year | Compliance Filing Required |
| Hired your first employee(s) | Register for payroll taxes |
| Started charging sales tax | Register for sales tax |
| Apply for a business loan | Submit a Certificate of Good Standing |
| Assumed an alternate business name for an existing Corporation or LLC | File a DBA (Fictitious Business Names) |
| Changed your business activity or purpose | File an Articles of Amendment |
| Changed your business name | File an Articles of Amendment File an IRS Change Letter Order a new Corporate or LLC Kit and Embosser |
| Changed your business address | File an Articles of Amendment File an IRS Change Letter |
| Changed the ownership of your business | Create a new LLC Operating Agreement File an Articles of Amendment File an IRS Change Letter Order LLC Member Certificates |
| Changed your members or board of directors | File an Articles of Amendment Request Custom Bylaws and Minutes |
| Changed your business entity type | File a Conversion File an IRS Change Letter |
| Changed an LLC's management format (ex: member-managed to manager-managed) | File an Articles of Amendment |
| Changed the type of stock offered | File an Articles of Amendment Order Corporate Stock Certificates |
| Changed the number of shares authorized | File an Articles of Amendment Order Corporate Stock Certificates |
| Moved the location of your business to a new state | Process a Domestication Filing File an IRS Change Letter Revise your Registered Agent Services |
| Added a new division to your business | Call 1-888-449-2638 for assistance. |
| Expanded your business into a new state(s) | File for Foreign Qualification |
| Expanded your business internationally | Request Apostille Certification |
| Merged with another company or were acquired | Call 1-888-449-2638 for assistance. |
| LLC needs to be taxed as an S Corporation for federal tax treatment purposes | File Form 8832 to elect S Corporation tax status |
| LLC needs to be taxed as a C Corporation for federal tax treatment purposes | File Form 2553 to elect C Corporation tax status |
| Held an annual meeting | Draft Annual Meeting Minutes |
| Established a Nonprofit Corporation | Create a new set of bylaws for your Nonprofit |
| Fell out of compliance with the state (your business is delinquent on filings) | File a Reinstatement |
| Failed to file your annual report with the state | File a Reinstatement File an Annual Report |
| Sold part of your business | Call 1-888-449-2638 for assistance. |
| Business license or permit expired | Renew your Business Licenses |
| Business no longer runs payroll within a specific state | Close payroll tax accounts with the state |
| Closed your business | File Articles of Dissolution File an IRS Change Letter |