Are Your Licensees Underpaying You? A Small Licensor's Guide to Royalty Audits
Nearly 9 in 10 audited licensees underpay royalties, mostly by accident. The 7 errors audits find, the red flags, and the audit clause that shifts the cost.
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Legal
Legal considerations for business finance and accounting compliance
Cash for Keys: How to Structure a Tenant Buyout That Actually Works
Cash for keys pays a tenant to leave voluntarily, often $1,000–$2,500 versus $4,000+ to evict. Here's the agreement, local rules and IRS 1099-MISC.
Caught a Shoplifter? How Civil Demand Letters Let Retailers Recover Merchandise Value Plus Statutory Penalties
Civil demand statutes let retailers bill shoplifters for merchandise plus a $50-$500 penalty, settled by letter if paid within 30 days.
Building an Expert Witness Side Practice: Retainers, Rates, and the Bookkeeping Behind Testimony Income
Expert witnesses earn $245–$500+/hr with retainers up front; report 1099-NEC income on Schedule C and pay IRS quarterly estimates.
How Much Does a Trademark Cost in 2026? USPTO Fees, Attorney Costs, and Renewals
A US trademark costs $350 per class in USPTO fees; with search, surcharges and an attorney, one class runs $350–$3,500, plus $325 per class in year five.
North Carolina's $40,000 Contractor License Line: How to Job-Cost and Bid Around It
North Carolina requires a GC license once a project's final price, change orders included, hits $40,000 — cross it unlicensed and the contract is void.
The Termination Meeting Checklist: Final Pay, COBRA Notices, and Property Return
US termination checklist: meet your state's final-pay deadline, send COBRA notices within 44 days, get OWBPA releases right and collect property same day.
The Five Lease Clauses That Decide Your Rent for the Next Decade
Renewal caps, CPI escalators, holdover penalties, co-tenancy and exclusive-use terms set your real rent for a decade — negotiate them before you sign.
Liquidated Damages in Construction Contracts: Daily Rates, Caps, and Negotiation
Liquidated damages = daily rate × days late. Cap them at 5–10% of contract price, define excusable delays, and book them under ASC 606, not as expenses.
California's AB 692 Just Banned Most "Stay-or-Pay" Employment Contracts: What Small Employers Must Fix Now
California AB 692 voids stay-or-pay clauses signed on or after January 1, 2026 — audit your offer letters now or risk $5,000 per affected worker.
Selling Abroad? The FCPA Rules Every Small Exporter Should Know
The U.S. FCPA covers small exporters too: a foreign agent's bribe can be yours, grease payments rarely qualify, and clean books are your best defense.
Illinois Freelance Worker Protection Act: What Hiring Businesses Must Put in Writing
Illinois FWPA: freelance deals of $500+ (aggregated over 120 days) need a written contract and payment within 30 days — or owe double damages plus fees.