Delaware (DE) State

Delaware (DE) State Small Business Rules & Regulations

Delaware (DE) State Requirements

- Register your business with the Delaware Division of Corporations: To legally operate a business in the state of Delaware, you must first register your business with the Division of Corporations. You can do this by submitting the appropriate paperwork and fees through their online portal, which can be found at https://icis.corp.delaware.gov/Ecorp/EntitySearch/NameSearch.aspx.

- Obtain any necessary licenses and permits: Depending on the type of business you are operating, you may be required to obtain additional licenses and permits from various state and local agencies. For example, businesses in certain industries, such as food service or construction, may need to obtain permits from the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services or the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

- Register for state taxes: All businesses operating in Delaware are required to register for state taxes, including sales and use tax, as well as any applicable business license taxes. You can register for these taxes through the Delaware Division of Revenue's online portal, which can be found at https://onestop.delaware.gov/.

- Comply with labor laws: All businesses operating in Delaware are required to comply with state and federal labor laws, including minimum wage, overtime, and discrimination laws. Business owners should also be aware of their responsibilities when it comes to workers' compensation and unemployment insurance. Information on these laws can be found on the Delaware Department of Labor's website, which can be found at https://labor.delaware.gov/.

- Maintain accurate financial records: Business owners in Delaware are required to maintain accurate financial records, including tax returns and financial statements. This information should be kept on file for at least three years.

- Comply with environmental laws: All businesses operating in Delaware are required to comply with state and federal environmental laws, including regulations on air and water pollution, hazardous waste, and conservation. Information on these laws can be found on the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control's website, which can be found at https://dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/air-quality/environmental-compliance/.

- Stay informed of changes in regulations: Business laws and regulations can change frequently, so it is important for business owners to stay informed and stay up-to-date on any changes that may affect their operations. The Delaware Small Business Development Center (https://www.dsbdc.org/) can provide assistance and guidance to business owners to stay updated on regulatory changes.

Delaware (DE) State Requirements for Small Business can be found in this website.

Local Regulations

Newark, DE
Middletown, DE
New Castle, DE
Wilmington, DE
Dover, DE
Bethany Beach, DE
Bridgeville, DE
Clayton, DE
Felton, DE
Frederica, DE
Georgetown, DE
Greenwood, DE
Lewes, DE
Milford, DE
Milton, DE
Ocean View, DE
Rehoboth Beach, DE
Seaford, DE
Smyrna, DE

Small Business Federal Requirements

To comply with US Federal Regulations, a small business owner need to:

- Determine your business structure. The most common business structures for small businesses are sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation. Each business structure has its own set of rules and regulations, so it's important to choose the one that best fits your business.

- Identify the federal agencies that regulate your industry: Different industries are regulated by different federal agencies. For example, if you are in the food industry, you will need to comply with regulations from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If you are in the financial industry, you will need to comply with regulations from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

- Determine which federal regulations apply to your business: Once you know which agencies regulate your industry, you can research the specific regulations that apply to your business. This can be done through the websites of the relevant agencies or by contacting them directly.

- Obtain necessary licenses and permits. Depending on the type of business you are operating and the state you are located in, you may need to obtain various licenses and permits to legally operate your business.

- Familiarize yourself with the regulations: It is important that you understand the regulations that apply to your business. You may want to consult with an attorney or other legal professional to help you understand the regulations and how they apply to your business.

- Understand and pay taxes. All businesses, regardless of structure, are required to pay federal, state, and local taxes. It's important to understand the tax obligations of your business and to pay them on time to avoid penalties and interest.

- Comply with employment laws. If you have employees, there are a number of federal laws that you must comply with, including minimum wage laws, overtime laws, and anti-discrimination laws.

- Protect your customers' personal information. If you collect or store personal information from your customers, you are required to protect it from unauthorized access or use. This includes implementing appropriate security measures and following relevant privacy laws.

- Follow advertising and marketing regulations. There are a number of federal regulations that apply to advertising and marketing, including truth in advertising laws and rules governing the use of endorsements and testimonials.

- Comply with consumer protection laws. There are a number of federal laws designed to protect consumers from fraudulent or deceptive business practices. These laws apply to all businesses, regardless of size.

- Follow environmental regulations. Depending on your business, you may be subject to federal, state, and local environmental regulations. It's important to understand and comply with these regulations to avoid fines and other penalties.

Most common Federal Requirments are:

- Federal taxes

- Affordable Care Act (for businesses with 50 or more employees)

- Federal licenses, permits or certificates

- Marketing and advertising laws

- Copywright laws

- Workplace poster laws

- Workplace health and safety laws

- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

For more details on the US Federal Regulations, please refer to this section.