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V O L . X X X N O. X X V I I I D E C E M B E R 1 6 , 2 0 2 4 8 B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S N E W S F RO M A RO U N D T H E S TAT E Acadia Family Center, a nonprofit in the neighboring town of Southwest Harbor. The transition was expect ed to start Dec. 18 and includes the integration of Acadia Family Center's services into MDI Hospital's Community Health Center at the hospital's clinics in Southwest Harbor and Northeast Harbor. Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor opened a newlyexpanded early childhood education center at its Katahdin Higher Education Center, at 1 Dirigo Drive in East Millinocket. U.S. Sen. Susan Collins secured $4 million in congressio nally directed spending to expand the center. 1-866-GO-MUROX canam.com Custom design-build solutions Jet-speed installation A S K AC E A n s w e r e d b y C a r r i e G r e e n Y a r d l e y , Y a r d l e y E s q . P L L C The Association for Consulting Expertise (ACE) is a nonprofit association of independent consultants who value "Success through Collaboration." The public is welcome to attend its regular meetings to share best practices and engage with industry experts. For more information go to www.consultexpertise.com. Q: Looking ahead to 2025, is there a list of legal deadlines that I should keep in mind? ACE advises: Here's a list to help Maine businesses pre pare for the new year: 1. Corporate compliance: Make a note on your calendar to file your annual report with the Maine Secretary of State by June 1, 2025. Missing this deadline will result in penalties or even loss of good standing. 2. Tax considerations: Make any final adjustments to your expenses to maximize deductions. This is also a good time to address payroll tax issues and estimated payments. 3. Employee-related deadlines: Review employment agree ments and confirm compliance with benefits requirements under ERISA or other local regulations. Penalties for failure to comply with Maine Retirement Investment Trust (MERIT) requirements begin in 2025. Likewise, mandatory contribu tions to the Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave Fund begin in 2025, even though the benefits do not go online until 2026. 4. Licensing and permits: Do not let your credentials lapse. Check the renewal dates of any licenses and permits and make a note to renew them before they expire. 5. Contractual obligations: Review your contracts and agreements. If they are set to expire at yearend, this is an opportunity to renegotiate terms or decide not to renew contracts that no longer align with your goals. Similarly, if an agreement requires notice of termination, note the deadline on the notice on your calendar. It is much more expensive to deal with a legal problem than to avoid one. Take proactive steps now to save your business time, money and legal headaches in 2025. Happy New Year! Carrie Green Yardley, founder of Yardley Esq. PLLC, is vice president of ACE and a contributing writer to Mainebiz. Her firm represents small business clients from formation through succession. She can be reached at carrie@yardleyesq.com N O T E W O R T H Y N O R T H E R N & E A S T E R N N O R T H E R N & E A S T E R N

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