Businesses of all sizes are governed by a multitude of rules, regulations and laws. Some are dictated by the federal government, some by state authorities — and some by both. For startup, compliance or other information, it is often best to start with state agencies, since they can sometimes answer your questions on compliance with federal standards as well.

Whether you need information on incorporation, business taxes, unemployment, workers comp, sales taxes, minimum wages, business permits and licenses, environmental regulations or dozens of other legal topics, finding the right state-level agencies to answer your questions is essential.

There are literally thousands of state departments and agencies that regulate business nationwide. This Work.com Guide is a handy alphabetical "round-up" that provides a link to each of our individual state Guides, which in turn will show you the key contacts, connections and resources in your state, or any other you need to research.

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The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

State guides A-H

Link to our state Guides for Alabama through Hawaii here.

I recommend: The Work.com state-specific How-To Guides are your doorway to state law information you need: Alabama; Alaska; Arizona; Arkansas; California; Colorado; Connecticut; Delaware; District of Columbia; Florida; Georgia; Hawaii.

State guides I-M

Link to our state Guides for Idaho through Montana here.

I recommend: The Work.com state-specific How-To Guides are your doorway to state law information you need: Idaho; Illinois; Indiana; Iowa; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; Michigan; Minnesota; Mississippi; Missouri; Montana.

State guides N-O

Link to our state Guides for Nebraska through Oregon here.

I recommend: The Work.com state-specific How-To Guides are your doorway to state law information you need: Nebraska; New Hampshire; New Jersey; New Mexico; New York; North Carolina; North Dakota; Ohio; Oklahoma; Oregon.

State guides P-W

Link to our state Guides for Pennsylvania through Wyoming here.

I recommend: The Work.com state-specific How-To Guides are your doorway to state law information you need: Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; South Carolina; South Dakota; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Vermont; Virginia; Washington; West Virginia; Wisconsin; Wyoming.