New laws create new obligations. Know yours before the deadline.

By Jonathan Velez, Personal Finance Writer & Editor Reviewed against primary sources · Updated June 25, 2026

Reviewed by [Attorney Name], Esq.

Every year, new federal and state laws require businesses to file something, register something, disclose something, or change how they handle money, employees, and workplaces. Each alert below explains one new requirement in plain English — who must comply, by when, what non-compliance costs — and connects you with a vetted attorney, CPA, compliance consultant, or software solution if you need help.

Act now Deadline this year On the horizon

Tax & Finance

Act now New York NY LLC Transparency Act: Who Must File in 2026 File a beneficial ownership disclosure (or attestation of exemption) with the NY Department of State Deadline: December 31, 2026 Act now Colorado Colorado Pre-Merger Notification Act: AG Filing Rule File a complete electronic copy of the HSR pre-merger notification form with the Colorado Attorney General within one business day after the federal HSR filing Effective: August 12, 2026

Employment & Labor

Act now Federal DHS Ends F-1/J-1 Duration of Status: New 2026 Rule Track each F-1/J-1 nonimmigrant's fixed admission end date (Form I-20/DS-2019 program end date, capped at 4 years) or an I nonimmigrant's 90/240-day period, and ensure a timely Form I-539 extension-of-stay (EOS) filing before that period expires Deadline: March 18, 2027 Deadline this year Virginia Virginia Paid Sick Leave Law: Employer Deadlines Provide accrued paid sick leave (1 hour per 30 worked, up to 40 hours/year) and update payroll, policies, and notices Effective: July 1, 2027

Environment & Energy

Act now California California SB 253 & SB 261: 2026 Report Deadlines Report Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions (SB 253) and publish a biennial climate-related financial risk report (SB 261) Deadline: November 10, 2026

Healthcare

Act now Colorado Colorado Caps Medical Record Fees at $400 in 2026 Cap total fees for attorney medical-record requests exceeding 664 pages at $400, invoice the requestor within 30 days, deliver records electronically on request when feasible, and give written notice before taking a 30-day extension Effective: August 12, 2026

Licensing & Professions

Deadline this year Colorado Colorado Cottage Foods Act 2027: New Registration Rule Register annually with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment before selling, complete an approved food-safety course covering time/temperature control, maintain proof of completion and good standing, and label products with the department-issued registration number Effective: January 1, 2027

How these alerts work

We monitor newly enacted federal rules and state laws for provisions that create affirmative duties for businesses — filings, registrations, disclosures, workplace changes, and new recordkeeping. When a law clears that bar, we publish a plain-English explainer citing the primary source, reviewed for accuracy. Alerts stay updated as agencies issue guidance, deadlines move, or courts weigh in.

Running the numbers on a business decision instead? Browse the free ModernWallet calculators — from business loan payoff to tax resolution.