Another year, another busy season, countless clients served, and yes—another Black Friday/ Small Business Saturday/ Cyber Monday rush survived.
Now you’re stepping into December, that magical window where the work life catches its breath just long enough for you to regroup before the next wave hits.
Your business deserves to step into 2026 organized, protected, and ahead of the curve. A quiet moment now can save you real time, money, and headaches in 2026.
This is exactly the right time to take a strategic look at your legal risks and strategy.
To help you close out the year with clarity and confidence, our team has prepared the Way Law 2026 End-of-Year Legal Checklist: a streamlined, practical guide to ensure your filings, contracts, compliance measures, and intellectual property are buttoned up before January. And don’t miss the last one– it’s probably the most important!
Let’s dig in.
1. Confirm Your Filings, Taxes & Licenses Are Current
Before the books close, double-check that every government box is ticked:
- Verify that your state corporate filings and annual reports are up to date.
- Renew any required local business licenses;
- Ensure your sales tax accounts (for product-based and any taxable service businesses) are accurate;
- Reconcile state and federal tax accounts before closing your books.
A quick review here can prevent penalties that can really add up!
2. Secure your Contracts for 2026
Contracts evolve as your business does, and need an annual review.
Ask yourself:
- Which agreements created friction this year?
- Where did clients or staff request exceptions or edits?
- Do your contracts reflect our current services, pricing, and risk posture?
- Are we protected as you grow, hire, or expand into new markets?
- What clauses are getting questions or revision requests?
A contract refresh is one of the most immediately valuable steps you can take going into the new year– let us get them in tip-top shape!
3. Moved offices? Update Addresses With All Financial & Regulatory Agencies
If your business relocated this year—or even shifted to a new mailing or registered agent address—confirm that all relevant entities have updated information:
- Banks and credit lines
- State Corporation Commission
- Local licensing authorities
- IRS and state tax departments
- Insurance providers
- Key vendors and partners
This single step prevents missed notices, unnecessary compliance issues, and yes– financial penalties.
4. Audit Your Intellectual Property
Did you know IP can make up 80% of a brand’s value? That valuable of an asset deserves year-end attention.
- Identify any valuable assets that need copyright registration
- Review potential trademarks you may need to file in 2026
- Evaluate if inventions are eligible for patent protection
- Audit existing registrations for misuse or infringement
- Ensure brand assets are being used correctly (and not out of scope) by contractors, partners, or licensees
- Record any brand updates or changes needing formal filings– think assignments to other companies, holding companies, or resulting from sales
- Note deadlines for renewals!
If questions arise– small ones– our IP team is available for a quick review.
5. Update or Adopt a Legally Compliant Privacy Policy (Perhaps the most critical for 2026!)
Data privacy laws continue to expand nationwide, and compliance is no longer optional. Lawsuit-happy law firms are churning out threats and demands for payment for non-compliant websites faster than we can keep up.
It is CRITICAL that your business reviews and complies with the ever-changing deluge of state privacy laws before getting slapped with a demand for $2k, $5k, or $50k. And no, we’re not exaggerating.
Before 2026:
- Review your privacy policy for accuracy and completeness (no, this isn’t a “one and done” type document)
- Confirm that all third-party tools (analytics, Pixels, forms, CRMs, payment processors) are disclosed
- Ensure your business can honor deletion or access requests
- Make sure email marketing opt-ins are functioning correctly
- Evaluate your data-retention and security practices (no easy passwords!)
Way Law has the tools and experience to guide you through a privacy audit if needed– just ask!