Several new employment laws go into effect in September and will affect employers in every state.
Independent Contractors rules:
Small business owners and startup founders now have a powerful reason to take another look at Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS). A new federal law, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed on July 4, 2025, makes QSBS more valuable than ever for growing companies and their stakeholders.
These changes give business owners, employees, and early investors more flexibility and larger tax breaks when selling shares. Whether you’re raising capital, attracting top talent, or planning an exit, this law could have a direct impact on your bottom line.
What Changed And Why It Matters
A new federal law, officially titled the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, has introduced significant tax changes that directly impact employers in service-based industries. The legislation, signed into law on July 4, 2025, offers new income tax deductions for employees who earn tips and overtime pay, while also expanding tax credits for certain
employers. Businesses that rely on tipped or hourly labor should take a close look at how these changes affect their operations.
Tip Deductions for Employees, But Reporting Still Matters
Regulations for Small Business
What new regulatory requirements from the federal government on down are small businesses facing in 2025? In this first of a three-part series, we will cover some of them, related to changes in and current status of tax policy.
First of all, the new year brings with it new payroll tax limits. Perhaps the most notable is that the Social Security wage base jumped by nearly 4.5%, to $176,100 from $168,600. Most of the other increases were more modest, such as the 401(k) contribution limit rising from $23,000 to $23,500, or business mileage reimbursement going from 67 to 70 cents.
New Laws, New Year Part 2
Illinois small businesses need to get up to speed on a variety of state legislation passed in the previous session that came online on January 1.
We covered several new provisions in a post last week, including a higher state minimum wage and legislation prohibiting “capture audience meetings” focused on religion or politics, requiring “pay scale and benefits” information in all job postings, adding new requirements for businesses that want to employ children under age 16, and banning non-compete agreements for certain classes of workers.
Illinois Employers Face New Laws 2025
Guest Author: Kelsey Feucht, Associate Attorney with Bellas & Wachowski
Illinois small businesses need to get up to speed on a variety of state legislation – particularly employment laws – which became effective on January 1.
Wire Tapping vs. Browser Tracking?
Software like Meta Pixel and Google Analytics that website operators use to track what sites a person visits, or what footprint they leave on those sites, is not subject to the same restrictions as wiretapping a phone line, according to a split decision from the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, in a case brought against two hospitals.
The court in Vita v. New England Baptist Hospital, et al (SJC-13542), ruled that wiretapping and browser tracking are categorically different pursuits, in its eyes, unless the state legislature decides otherwise. “If the Legislature intends for the Wiretap Act’s criminal and civil penalties to prohibit the tracking of a person’s browsing of, and interaction with, published information on websites, it must say so expressly,” wrote Associate Judge Scott Kafker in the opinion.
Holiday Business Parties
With the holiday season in full swing, workplaces often become the site of parties, gift exchanges, and other festive activities. These activities foster camaraderie among coworkers and allow teams to celebrate their accomplishments. Unfortunately, though, they can also sometimes lead to inappropriate behavior, including sexual harassment, which may lead to problems for the unweary business owner.
Employers can take proactive steps to ensure everyone feels safe and respected during these events. Here are five suggestions to creating a safe and positive environment for holiday celebrations.
Make Sure Non-Disclosure Agreements Don’t Stymie Whistleblowing
Small businesses who enter into non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with employees need to ensure that those documents clearly delineate that they will not be used to discriminate against those who engage in “whistleblower” activity—or such employers could potentially face unpleasant regulatory consequences.
This was underscored in late July, when the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a “reminder” that the Consumer Financial Protection Act establishing the agency bars employers from either firing or otherwise discriminating against employees who participate in whistleblower activity, assuming the business in question is regulated by the CFPB.
Illinois Human Rights Act Expanded to Include AI Regulation
Recently, Illinois Governor Pritzker signed H.B. 3773 into law, marking a significant expansion of the Illinois Human Rights Act to include specific regulations on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in employment decisions. This move reflects the state’s ongoing commitment to civil rights protection, now extending into the realm of advanced technology.
What Does H.B. 3773 Mean for Your Business?
Chicago Business Attorney Blog