--- title: The 5 Most Overlooked Year-End Compliance Tasks description: Discover the 5 most overlooked year-end compliance tasks every business must address to avoid fines, reduce risk, and stay compliant. image: https://blog.telstaffing.com/hubfs/2025%20Blogs%20and%20Premium%20Content/2025%20-%20September/denny-muller-jLjfAWwHdB8-unsplash.jpg --- 1-866-476-9008 [Solutions@TELStaffing.com](mailto:Solutions@TELStaffing.com) - [CLIENT/EMPLOYEE PORTAL |](https://teltotalcare.com/) - [About TEL |](https://telstaffing.com/what-is-a-peo-about-tel/) - [Who We Are](https://telstaffing.com/what-is-a-peo-about-tel/#who) - [Company History](https://telstaffing.com/what-is-a-peo-about-tel/#history) - [Meet the Team](https://telstaffing.com/what-is-a-peo-about-tel/#meet) - [Memberships & Affiliations](https://telstaffing.com/what-is-a-peo-about-tel/#memberships) - [What We Do](https://telstaffing.com/what-is-a-peo-about-tel/#what) - [Services Overview](https://telstaffing.com/what-is-a-peo-about-tel/#overview) - [Community Impact](https://telstaffing.com/what-is-a-peo-about-tel/#community) - [Professional Solutions Available](https://telstaffing.com/what-is-a-peo-about-tel/#prosolutions) - [Why We Do It](https://telstaffing.com/what-is-a-peo-about-tel/#why) - [Purpose & Philosophy](https://telstaffing.com/what-is-a-peo-about-tel/#purpose) - [Vision & Mission](https://telstaffing.com/what-is-a-peo-about-tel/#mission) - [Helping Clients. 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[Vision & Mission](https://telstaffing.com/what-is-a-peo-about-tel/#mission) - [Helping Clients. Helping Communities.](https://telstaffing.com/what-is-a-peo-about-tel/#helping) - How You Benefit - [Measurable Savings](https://telstaffing.com/benefits-of-using-a-peo-aso-or-payroll-company/#savings) - [The TEL Difference](https://telstaffing.com/benefits-of-using-a-peo-aso-or-payroll-company/#choosetel) - [Client Testimonials](https://telstaffing.com/benefits-of-using-a-peo-aso-or-payroll-company/#testimonials) - [Blog](https://blog.telstaffing.com) - REQUEST A QUOTE ![denny-muller-jLjfAWwHdB8-unsplash](https://blog.telstaffing.com/hubfs/2025%20Blogs%20and%20Premium%20Content/2025%20-%20September/denny-muller-jLjfAWwHdB8-unsplash.jpg) # The 5 Most Overlooked Year-End Compliance Tasks - Home - [TEL Staffing & HR Blog](https://blog.telstaffing.com) - The 5 Most Overlooked Year-End Compliance Tasks 09/09/2025 [Compliance](https://blog.telstaffing.com/tag/compliance), [Strategy](https://blog.telstaffing.com/tag/strategy), [Q4](https://blog.telstaffing.com/tag/q4) [0 Comments](https://blog.telstaffing.com/the-5-most-overlooked-year-end-compliance-tasks#postComment) 1 Minutes The end of the year brings excitement and growth planning, but it also comes with high-risk compliance obligations that too many businesses overlook. In fact, nearly **60% of small businesses admit to missing a year-end filing in the last three years**, which can lead to costly fines and operational headaches. Here are the five most overlooked compliance tasks and how you can tackle them before Q4 ends. *1.* **Updating Employee Records** It sounds simple, but outdated employee files are a common compliance risk. Missing addresses, outdated emergency contacts, or unrecorded changes to work status can all create problems when filing taxes or managing benefits. **Quick Record Audit Checklist:** - Verify addresses and contact info - Update job titles and departments - Confirm emergency contacts - Ensure I-9 and W-4 forms are current *2.* **Recalculating Overtime Classifications** The Department of Labor’s overtime thresholds change, and many businesses forget to revisit their employee classifications. A small oversight here can trigger wage disputes and back pay liabilities. *Tip: Review job roles and pay structures to confirm exempt vs. non-exempt status is still compliant with current laws.* *3.* Verifying Independent Contractor Status With the IRS and states cracking down on misclassification, ensuring your contractors are truly independent is a must. Misclassifications can result in steep fines and tax penalties. *Tip: Reassess contractor agreements and duties; if they look more like employees, you could be at risk.* *4.* **Reviewing Benefit Plan Compliance**  From ACA reporting to retirement plan nondiscrimination tests, year-end is the perfect time to make sure benefit plans are properly managed and reported. Missing filings can lead to penalties and employee dissatisfaction. > ***Did You Know?*** > *Unclear PTO policies are one of the **top 3 causes of employee disputes** brought to HR in Q1.* *5.* **Preparing for State and Local Filings** Federal compliance often gets the spotlight, but state and local requirements, like business license renewals, workers’ comp audits, and payroll tax filings, can sneak up at year-end. **Essential Year-End Filings:** - W-2s and 1099s - ACA 1095 forms (if applicable) - State unemployment reports - Annual workers’ comp audits [![August CTA](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/44774461/interactive-192973200529.png)](https://blog.telstaffing.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLILS%2FqhNy1ZZfnwigy1l9YfrULXOwrQX%2BEQzCf6NWnmFWeQjkAzYDmBaPWrLN5zQ5FgOxl2J55xCMIeZBgtH1aUkH9NaHQLg3B%2Ban3kkAhrAuPWwyetmTfJXSi0bSL33%2BRXdZEYYCNj3%2BlHhDxSA0MwlnRqd5%2FVAhFwutI2CCGMp8NGil5mR5EmQbPUM7M49IxBvt8oKsg54HGzvZM7CQGZtxg7D3h4vfAVWG1LsFu105Oud1iCiNwwhMeZPuiVjuHrpNw%3D&webInteractiveContentId=192973200529&portalId=44774461) **Final Thoughts** Year-end doesn’t have to mean compliance headaches. By addressing these five overlooked tasks now, you’ll avoid unnecessary penalties, protect your business, and start the new year with peace of mind. And if you’d rather not juggle compliance on your own, TEL Staffing & HR is here to help. From payroll and workers’ comp to HR and benefits administration, our team ensures you stay compliant and efficient so you can focus on growing your business. Want a deeper dive into compliance efficiency? Download our free premium resource: [The 2025 Compliance & Efficiency Playbook.](https://info.telstaffing.com/2025-compliance-efficency-playbook) [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/44774461/717b6d98-22c0-4f98-8e9e-5e5158ce52ba.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/44774461/717b6d98-22c0-4f98-8e9e-5e5158ce52ba) --- #### Tag: [Compliance](https://blog.telstaffing.com/tag/compliance) [Strategy](https://blog.telstaffing.com/tag/strategy) [Q4](https://blog.telstaffing.com/tag/q4) #### Share: - [Follow us on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.telstaffing.com/the-5-most-overlooked-year-end-compliance-tasks) - [Follow us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://blog.telstaffing.com/the-5-most-overlooked-year-end-compliance-tasks&text=The%205%20Most%20Overlooked%20Year-End%20Compliance%20Tasks) - [Follow us on Linkedin](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.telstaffing.com/the-5-most-overlooked-year-end-compliance-tasks) - [Follow us on Pinterest](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://blog.telstaffing.com/the-5-most-overlooked-year-end-compliance-tasks&text=The%205%20Most%20Overlooked%20Year-End%20Compliance%20Tasksdescription=The%20end%20of%20the%20year%20brings%20excitement%20and%20growth%20planning,%20but%20it%20also%20comes%20with%20high-risk%20compliance%20obligations%20that%20too%20many%20businesses%20overlook.%20In%20fact,[...]&media=https://44774461.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/44774461/2025%20Blogs%20and%20Premium%20Content/2025%20-%20September/denny-muller-jLjfAWwHdB8-unsplash.jpg) --- #### [Back-to-Business Basics: Resetting Goals for Q4 Previous Post](https://blog.telstaffing.com/back-to-business-basics-resetting-goals-for-q4) #### [From Recruiting to Retention: The Full Lifecycle of Smart Staffing Next Post](https://blog.telstaffing.com/from-recruiting-to-retention-the-full-lifecycle-of-smart-staffing) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ### Category - [Human Resources (25)](https://blog.telstaffing.com/tag/human-resources) - [Outsourcing HR (24)](https://blog.telstaffing.com/tag/outsourcing-hr) - [Employee Retention (23)](https://blog.telstaffing.com/tag/employee-retention) - [Compliance (21)](https://blog.telstaffing.com/tag/compliance) - [HR Strategy (20)](https://blog.telstaffing.com/tag/hr-strategy) ### Popular Posts [TEL](https://blog.telstaffing.com/author/tel) 11/25/2024 [Compliance](https://blog.telstaffing.com/tag/compliance), [Healthcare](https://blog.telstaffing.com/tag/healthcare), [HR Consulting](https://blog.telstaffing.com/tag/hr-consulting), [ACA](https://blog.telstaffing.com/tag/aca), [Affordable Care Act](https://blog.telstaffing.com/tag/affordable-care-act), [Human Resources](https://blog.telstaffing.com/tag/human-resources) [ACA Audits 101: What To Expect And How To Be Prepared](https://blog.telstaffing.com/aca-audits-101-what-to-expect-and-how-to-be-prepared) [TEL](https://blog.telstaffing.com/author/tel) 06/27/2024 [Broker](https://blog.telstaffing.com/tag/broker) [Mastering the Path to PEO Brokerhood in 7 Steps](https://blog.telstaffing.com/path-to-peo-brokership) [TEL](https://blog.telstaffing.com/author/tel) 06/04/2024 [Compliance](https://blog.telstaffing.com/tag/compliance) [11 Ways Companies Accidentally Break Employment Laws](https://blog.telstaffing.com/how-companies-accidentally-break-employment-laws) [TEL](https://blog.telstaffing.com/author/tel) 11/18/2025 [Human Resources](https://blog.telstaffing.com/tag/human-resources), [Employee Retention](https://blog.telstaffing.com/tag/employee-retention), [Q4](https://blog.telstaffing.com/tag/q4) [10 Creative, Low-Cost Ways to Thank Your Team](https://blog.telstaffing.com/10-creative-low-cost-ways-to-thank-your-team) --- ## Related Posts Ready to explore a little more? 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