Strategies for Running a Compliant Business from Home

Ensure Continuous Operation, Productivity, and Profitability of Your Business

-  James Gilmer

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted every facet of American life. Everything from how we dine out and socialize with each other, to the very paradigm of doing business has changed. Now several months into an ongoing crisis, many small businesses have adopted a remote working arrangement, either in direct response to state and local regulations or as a way to keep non-essential employees safe.

Small business owners face the particular reality of running a business and managing employees from their home office. In addition to navigating a fully remote world of providing profitable products and services, small businesses must also develop ways to ensure ongoing compliance with the various federal, state, and local requirements needed to operate.

Traditionally, compliance has been viewed as a non-core, administrative function. In the age of COVID-19, however, it steps into the limelight as a way to ensure continuous operation and even profitability. Small business owners should adopt a strategy to ensure compliance throughout their company and support those initiatives with the techniques presented in this article.

The Basics of Legal Entity, Tax, and Licensing Compliance

In every state your company does business, it must maintain good standing with entity, tax, and licensing authorities. This generally allows the company to keep operating legally. It also preserves the limited liability protection of owners, officers, and directors. While every business faces unique requirements for its location or industry, most can expect to do the following in each state.

Maintain a Registered Agent for Service of Process