Sharing Our Knowledge With You

Discovering a leak, cracked stucco, or poorly completed renovation can be frustrating for any homeowner. Beyond the cost of repairs, figuring out who is responsible and what to do next

The best time to fix your business’s legal paperwork is before January, not after something goes wrong. The fourth quarter moves fast. Between year-end sales, holiday schedules and tax prep, legal housekeeping usually slides to “next year.” But outdated documents, misclassified workers and stale contracts tend to cause problems at the worst possible moment: during a dispute, a sale, an audit or after a storm. Here are five areas every Florida business owner should check before 2027 starts, with a quick self-check and what to do next for each. Are Your Florida Business Records Up to Date? Your bylaws or operating agreement are supposed to describe how your business actually runs. After a year of growth, they often don’t. Corporate Records Self-Check Ask yourself: Did ownership or management change this year? Did you add or remove partners, or restructure? Do your operating documents still match how decisions are made? Did you create new intellectual property, like a logo, branding or marketing materials? How to Prepare for 2027 Update your bylaws, operating agreement and meeting minutes to reflect any changes. File your Florida annual report on time; Sunbiz accepts filings from January 1 through May 1, and late filings carry a penalty. Clean up inconsistencies before tax season, when your accountant will be looking at the same records. Are Your Employees and Independent Contractors Classified Correctly? Calling someone a contractor doesn’t make them one. If you control when, where and how they work, the IRS and state agencies may see an employee, and that can mean back taxes, penalties and wage claims. Worker Classification Self-Check Ask yourself: Did any “contractors” work set hours, use your equipment or report to a manager like an employee would? Has anyone’s role changed since they were hired? How to Prepare for 2027 Review every role before you send out 1099s and W-2s in January. Update written agreements and job descriptions so they match the actual work. Adjust your onboarding process so new hires are classified correctly from day one. Are Your Florida Business Contracts Still

Florida’s automated license plate reader network is facing a significant change after the Florida Department of Transportation ordered cameras located within state highway rights-of-way to be removed. On August 31,

Florida has significantly overhauled the laws governing nonprofit corporations in the state. CS/CS/HB 797 comprehensively revised Chapter 617 of the Florida Statutes, now called the Florida Nonprofit Corporation Act. The

Florida voters will soon decide whether to approve one of the most significant property tax changes proposed in recent years. During the 2026 regular legislative session, lawmakers considered CS/CS/HJR 203,