Company holiday parties are a customary and traditional way for employers to show appreciation to their hard-working, loyal employees. It's also a great way to boost company morale and create a better work environment. However, there are instances where the best of intentions can backfire and create big complications! As fun as company holiday parties may be for everyone, it can be a breeding ground for legal issues. Unfortunately, it can even lead to some of those loyal employees losing their jobs. There are many potential party pitfalls to consider. In this blog, we'll cover the more common minor mishaps as well as major ones.
Holiday Parties: The Legal Side
Privilege Licensing in Nevada
Congratulations on securing your State License from the Nevada Secretary of State. So, what now? Can you legally conduct business? Well, more often than not, your business will be required to have a local license at the county or city level. Depending on the operation of your business, you may be required to secure what's called a "privilege license" in Nevada.
Forming a Nonprofit Business
Classifying as a nonprofit organization has always been a popular choice for Nevada business owners when deciding on the classification of their new business entity. Not all businesses can be classified as a nonprofit or 501(c)(3), however. To qualify for 501(c)(3) status, an entity must be formed for charitable, educational, literary, religious, or scientific purposes. A 501(c)(3), as many people know, is eligible for federal and state tax exemptions - and thus drives the popularity of the classification. In this blog, we will go over things to keep in mind if you're thinking of forming a nonprofit organization.
Understanding Your Commercial Lease Agreement
Earlier in the year, we talked about things to consider before signing your commercial lease. However, we didn't dive into understanding your lease or cover the common mistakes business owners make before signing their lease. As you read this, keep in mind that a lease between a landlord and tenant can supersede certain sections of Nevada law to the extent of any conflict. Since a lease can have an enormous influence on your business, we thought it would be best to follow up on this topic. In this blog, we'll discuss the key points you'll want to keep track of as you review your commercial lease.
Do You Need a Nondisparagement Clause?
Nondisparagement clauses have gained popularity due to the many outlets consumers have available to leave reviews about businesses. The internet has made it much easier for customers and consumers to voice their opinions about businesses, both positive and negative. As much as these reviews have helped the everyday consumer's purchase decisions, it's also mired and hurt the bottom line for many businesses - large or small. So, what is a nondisparagement clause? It is language inserted in a contract or agreement that attempts to prevent the receiver of a good or service from posting negative reviews about the seller or service provider. They are also known as a "gag clause." If you are considering adding this clause into your contract or terms of service, you might want to consider seeking legal counsel before doing so.
Partnership Representative Clauses and Why You Need One
The Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) once governed the auditing process for LLCs that are taxed as partnerships. Previously, the IRS could not hold the LLC responsible for federal income tax deficiencies, only the members of the LLC were liable. TEFRA has since been repealed and effective January 1, 2018 the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 governs the auditing procedures. This adjustment allows the IRS to collect underpaid taxes directly from the LLC if the LLC is taxed as a partnership rather than a C-corp or S-corp. This important change will require companies to update their operating agreements.
4 Things Before You Sign a Commercial Lease
Signing a commercial lease as a business owner should not be taken lightly. A business owners' biggest expense may be a store-front or office space when they are first starting out. Like any contract, it may be too late to make any changes to a commercial lease once you've signed it. A commercial lease is a legal, binding document that may prevent you from growing your business - or worse, run it into the ground. Here are four simple things to consider before signing your commercial lease.
5 Things to Know Before Investing in a Small Business
There are many reasons to invest in a start-up. Small-business investments have been one of the more popular ways individuals and families begin their journey to financial independence. The right investment, in the right company, at the right time can be very lucrative. That being said, there is a possibility of losing your entire investment without ever seeing a profit. Working with an investment broker is one way to go about the investment, but there are many investments that happen privately. Most small-business investment opportunities come from friends, family, colleagues, or by word-of-mouth. If you ever find yourself with an opportunity to invest in a business, we would suggest you tread carefully. Here are some things to remember when preparing to invest in a start-up company.
Business Status: Dissolution vs. Revocation
There are many things to keep track of as a business owner. One of those is your business's current status with the State of Nevada. Keeping an eye on your standing with the state is simple but it's not uncommon for businesses to find themselves in default or revoked status. There are also business owners that find that their business has run its course and decide to dissolve the entity with the state. There is clearly a difference between dissolution and revocation. What are the differences and is it okay to let a business be revoked?
Planning for the Unexpected as a New Business Owner
More than half of all new restaurants fail within the first year, and the statistics for other types of business aren't much higher. When you come up with a new business idea, you might spend years researching your idea and comparing other businesses before looking at funding or applying for loans. The most successful business owners plan for the unexpected problems that can pop up in the future.
