Real estate other than your primary residence is often considered an investment. When it comes time to sell items held for investment purposes, capital gains taxes are due on any profit. Although Florida does not have income tax and hence no capital gains tax, the federal government (Internal Revenue Service) does. Those seeking to grow…
If you own property, you may believe you can do anything you want with it. But neighbors and land use ordinances may say otherwise – property usage is governed by zoning laws in Florida and across the country. Each city, town, county, or state makes rules for allowable use. Florida’s Growth Management Act laid the…
Corporate governance is the structure that provides businesses with a framework for growth and problem-solving. Even small, family-run niche businesses can benefit from a specific corporate structure. Governance structures determine your personal liability, taxes paid, and the recordkeeping required. It can also impact decision making, accountability, and risk management. It can be simple, such as…
The Sunshine State has made strides to be more pro-businesses, including completely eliminating sales tax on commercial real estate rentals. The move is expected to reduce state revenue by $1.146 billion annually but boost the coffers of small businesses and potentially lead to a building boom. The only state in the U.S. to uniformly apply…
Supply chain management took on new importance with the international tariffs that were threatened or implemented in 2025. Suddenly businesses are looking at ways to pre-purchase and stockpile supplies, to reduce costs, find new sources of goods, or route items through different countries. Alternatively, many are examining ways to pass the tariff costs on to…
When a property has the location and amenities that your business needs, it’s easy to overlook the fine print: the details in your lease agreement. But these details can trip you up, cost money, and create headaches. Some of the reasons to negotiate the terms of a commercial lease include: When you’re running a business,…
New and existing employees are often asked to sign lots of paperwork when hired by a new employer. These include NDA and noncompete agreements, which have different purposes and enforcement rules. An employee’s grasp of the laws behind the paperwork is usually unclear until they plan to leave the company and are made aware of…
The Corporate Transparency Act, a federal law, was designed to prevent white collar crime such as money laundering, tax evasion, and diverting funds to political and militant extremists. It requires companies to divulge more information about officers and business dealings through Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reports. It was created by the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes…
Latin phrases have been used in law for centuries. Latin was once the language of the Roman Empire, and as the legal system evolved, many Latin phrases became ingrained in legal terminology. While most legal terms have been translated into English, Latin phrases remain in use, adding a touch of tradition and formality to legal…
An operating agreement is a contract that controls your LLC’s operations as well as member interaction with each other and with the LLC. You may think that an operating agreement is not necessary for your single-member LLC – after all – why make an agreement with yourself? Is the Operating Agreement a Legal Requirement? No,…
As a common argument against breach of contract lawsuits, an affirmative defense requires the Defendant to prove his explanation if the case goes to trial. This widespread type of defense does not need to dispute the Plaintiff’s primary claims, only to present the extenuating circumstances that dismiss the claim. For example, if a business was…
The Federal Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), takes effect January 1, 2024, and requires most Florida companies to submit a specific online report containing the personal information about their beneficial owners to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). Companies created before January 1, 2024, will have until January 1, 2025, to file their initial reports, and…
In the world of business, contracts are fundamental in defining relationships, obligations, and expectations between parties. A legally binding contract ensures that all parties involved are held accountable and provides a mechanism for recourse if the terms are breached. However, not all contracts automatically have legal standing. Understanding how to determine if your business contract…
Why is Brand Protection Important? Key aspects of brand protection include: Failure to take appropriate steps in any of these areas could jeopardize brand rights and value. If rights are weakened or lost, you may not be able to prevent the brand from being used by competitors. What is a Brand? Brands are distinctive identifiers…
Generally, a corporation in Florida that wishes to dissolve must file with the Division of Corporations (DOC) articles of dissolution signed by an authorized officer of the corporation. The articles of dissolution must include 3 basic pieces of information: the name of the corporation, the date the corporation authorized the dissolution, and (if the dissolution…
Dealing with an employee lawsuit can be a challenging and stressful situation for any employer. It’s essential to handle such situations carefully and in compliance with the law. Here are some key steps to consider if you find yourself facing an employee lawsuit. Remember, each employee lawsuit is unique, and the steps outlined here are…
In the world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), one of the crucial decisions buyers and sellers must make is whether to structure the deal as an “Asset Purchase” or an “Entity Sale.” (Note here: An “Entity Sale” can also be called an “Equity Sale,” and the terms largely interchangeable.) Each approach comes with its own…
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