SMBs Say They’re Not Worried — So Why Are They Asking for Help?
SMBs say they’re not concerned with compliance, but still want support. Here’s the data that proves it:
- 49% of small business owners who said they’re “not at all concerned” about employee-related compliance still want alerts when laws change.
- 44% want updates on tax regulations.
- 40% want reminders to file paperwork.
This isn’t a contradiction—it’s a distinction. Many SMBs aren’t stressed about what might happen, but they’re overwhelmed by what’s already on their plate.
What’s Really Stressing Out Small Business Owners?
It’s not the fear of a future audit—it’s the time-consuming nature of daily compliance.
- 72% say it’s important to keep up with annual filings.
- But just 20% say they’re very worried about it.
Small business owners aren’t losing sleep over penalties—they’re losing time to paperwork, research, and red tape.
When we asked what they wish they had help with, they mentioned familiar pain points:
- Tax decisions:
- "I wish I had more legal tax advice regarding business deductions."
- "Figuring out how to lower the taxes for my business every year."
- Changing regulations:
- "Staying on top of the changing landscape."
- "The laws in the towns where I work each can have different laws and regulations..."
- Business filings and structure:
- "I am always concerned about whether I am filing all reports in a timely manner."
- "Setting up a few DBAs under my LLC."
The message is clear: SMBs want simple, proactive solutions to help them keep up-to-date and compliant.
The Bigger the Business, the More Complex the Rules
Another insight we found is less surprising: the more a business grows, the more complex compliance becomes:
- Hiring increases complexity: Solopreneurs tend to have fewer concerns, but the moment a business hires, compliance questions multiply.
- Higher revenue = higher risk: Businesses making over $1 million annually reported more frequent and varied compliance concerns.
This means having the right help and support for compliance tasks isn’t just helpful, it’s essential for long-term success.
SMBs Want Smart Legal Tools and Support That Helps Them Stay Ahead
Small business owners aren’t waiting for problems to appear—they want help avoiding issues in the first place.
When asked what kind of support they value most, SMBs highlighted tools that are fast, intelligent, and proactive:
- 55% want quick, accurate answers to legal questions.
- 50% want help spotting risks in legal documents.
- 50% want alerts when laws or regulations change.
This shows a clear shift toward self-service legal technology and integrated solutions. Business owners want tools that reduce uncertainty, give them peace of mind, and help them act quickly.
By helping owners stay compliant with less effort, these tools free them up to focus on what matters most: running and growing their business.
Moving Forward: Legal Confidence, Not Legal Guesswork
While compliance isn’t always top of mind, staying ahead of it is essential to building a stable, successful business. Today’s small business owners don’t just want reactive support—they’re asking for tools that guide, simplify, and fit seamlessly into their daily operations.
That’s why we’re building a suite of smart solutions designed to meet those needs head-on. From AI-powered tools that help answer compliance-related questions and surface insights in documents, to business filings, legal documents with e-sign, and on-demand legal advice, our platform helps SMBs stay in control—without getting overwhelmed.
With the right support, staying compliant doesn’t have to be stressful. It can be smarter, faster, and built for growth.
This article contains general legal information and does not contain legal advice. Rocket Lawyer is not a law firm or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. The law is complex and changes often. For legal advice, please ask a lawyer.
