Guides

CAN-SPAM requires truthful headers and subject lines, a visible physical postal address, a working unsubscribe mechanism honored within 10 business days, and clear identification of ads. Each violating email risks five-figure penalties.

COPPA applies if your service is directed at children under 13 or you have actual knowledge you're collecting their personal data. It requires verifiable parental consent before collection, a child-specific privacy notice, and data minimization — with penalties over $50,000 per violation.

The FTC requires clear, conspicuous disclosure of any material connection — affiliate links, free products, sponsorships — close to the endorsement itself. 'Clear' means plain language like 'ad' or 'I earn commissions,' visible before the click or purchase decision.

Three AI risk zones: purely AI-generated content may not be copyrightable (human authorship is required), pasting client data into AI tools can breach confidentiality and contracts, and using AI in hiring decisions triggers emerging state regulations.

States layer their own tests over federal rules: California's AB5 applies a strict ABC test, many states use ABC variants for unemployment claims, and laws like New York's Freelance Isn't Free Act add contract and payment protections.

Accepting payments online means agreeing to processor terms (which can freeze funds), posting clear refund/cancellation policies, letting your processor handle PCI compliance, and tracking how payment income hits your taxes via 1099-K reporting.

Classification turns on control: contractors control how they work, use their own tools, serve multiple clients, and bear profit/loss risk. The IRS uses a common-law test; many states use the stricter ABC test. Misclassification brings back taxes and penalties.

Hiring a contractor legally: confirm contractor classification fits, sign an independent contractor agreement (scope, payment, IP assignment), collect Form W-9 before the first payment, track payments, and file Form 1099-NEC by January 31 if you pay $600+.

To open a business bank account you'll typically need your EIN (or SSN for sole props), formation documents (Articles of Organization), your operating agreement, a government ID, and any DBA registration. Most accounts open same-day.

Solopreneur bookkeeping needs four things: a separate business bank account, cash-basis books in simple software (or a spreadsheet early on), a lean chart of accounts, and a monthly routine to categorize transactions and reconcile.

Stripe, PayPal, and Square report your gross payment volume to the IRS on Form 1099-K once you cross the federal threshold. The form shows gross processed amounts — before fees and refunds — so reconcile it against your books, never against bank deposits.

CCPA (amended by CPRA) applies to for-profit businesses meeting thresholds: $25M+ revenue, data on 100,000+ California consumers, or 50%+ revenue from selling data. Even if exempt today, its disclosure and opt-out patterns are becoming the US baseline.