Small Business Compliance Guides

July 14, 2017

The following small business compliance guides provide information on SEC rules that affect small entities, including rules related to offering and selling securities as well as financial and other reporting by publicly traded companies. 

The small business compliance guides speak as of their respective dates of publication.  For up-to-date information on capital raising options, such as Regulation A and Regulation Crowdfunding, and the exemptions from registration provided under SEC rules, click on the tabs under “Resources for Small Businesses” to the left.

Issue DateSmall Business Compliance GuidesRulemaking Release
Dec. 16, 2024

Electronic Submission of Certain Materials Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; Amendments Regarding the FOCUS Report

Trading and Markets

Final Rule 
Electronic Submission of Certain Materials Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; Amendments Regarding the FOCUS Report

33-11342; 34-101925; IC-3542

Sept. 27, 2024

EDGAR Filer Access and Account Management

EDGAR Business Office

Final Rule 
EDGAR Filer Access and Account Management

33-11313; 34-101209; 39-2557; IC-35343

Sept. 18, 2024

Tick Sizes – A Small Entity Compliance Guide

Trading and Markets

Final Rule 
Regulation NMS: Minimum Pricing Increments, Access Fees, and Transparency of Better

34-101070

Jan. 24, 2024

Special Purpose Acquisition Companies, Shell Companies, and Projections;

Corporation Finance; Investment Management

Final Rule 
Special Purpose Acquisition Companies, Shell Companies, and Projections

33-11265; 34-99418; IC-35096

Nov. 27, 2023

Prohibition Against Conflicts of Interest in Certain Securitizations

Corporation Finance

Final Rule 
Prohibition Against Conflicts of Interest in Certain Securitizations

33-11254

July 26, 2023

Cybersecurity Risk Management, Strategy, Governance, and Incident Disclosure

Corporation Finance

Final Rule 
Cybersecurity Risk Management, Strategy, Governance, and Incident Disclosure

33-11216; 34-97989

Dec. 14, 2022

Insider Trading and Related Disclosures

Corporation Finance

Final Rule 
Insider Trading Arrangements and Related Disclosures 

33-11138; 34-96492

Nov. 2, 2022

Enhanced Reporting of Proxy Votes by Registered Management Investment Companies; Reporting of Executive Compensation Votes by Institutional Investment Managers

Investment Management

Final Rule 
Enhanced Reporting of Proxy Votes by Registered Management Investment Companies; Reporting of Executive Compensation Votes by Institutional Investment Managers

33-11131; 34-96206; IC-34745

Nov. 2, 2022

Facilitating Capital Formation and Expanding Investment Opportunities by Improving Access to Capital in Private Markets

Corporation Finance; Investment Management

Final Rule 
Facilitating Capital Formation and Expanding Investment Opportunities by Improving Access to Capital in Private Markets

33-10884; 34-90300; IC-34082

Oct. 26, 2022

Listing Standards for Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation

Corporation Finance; Investment Management

Final Rule 
Listing Standards for Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation

33-11126; 34-96159; IC-34732

Oct. 26, 2022

Tailored Shareholder Reports for Mutual Funds and Exchange-Traded Funds; fee information in investment company advertisements

Investment Management

Final Rule 
Tailored Shareholder Reports for Mutual Funds and Exchange-Traded Funds; Fee Information in Investment Company Advertisements

33-11125; 34-96158; IC-34731

Oct. 12, 2022

Amendments to Electronic Recordkeeping Requirements for Broker-Dealers

Trading and Markets

Final Rule 
Electronic Recordkeeping Requirements for Broker-Dealers, Security-Based Swap Dealers

34-96034 

Aug. 25, 2022

Pay Versus Performance

Corporation Finance

Final Rule 
Pay Versus Performance 

34-95607

July 13, 2022

Proxy Voting Advice

Corporation Finance; Investment Management

Final Rule 
Proxy Voting Advice 

34-95266; IA-6068

June 2, 2022

Updating EDGAR Filing Requirements and Form 144 Filings

Corporation Finance

Final Rule 
Updating EDGAR Filing Requirements and Form 144 Filings

33-11070; 34-95025

Nov. 17, 2021

Universal Proxy

Corporation Finance

Final Rule 
Universal Proxy

34-93596; IC-34419

Oct. 13, 2021

Filing Fee Disclosure and Payment Methods Modernization

Corporation Finance; Investment Management

Final Rule 
Filing Fee Disclosure and Payment Methods Modernization

33-10997; 34-93285; IC-34396

Dec. 22, 2020

Investment Adviser Marketing

Investment Management

Final Rule 
Investment Adviser Marketing

IA-5653

Dec. 3, 2020

Good Faith Determination of Fair Value

Investment Management

Final Rule 
Good Faith Determinations of Fair Value 

IC-34128

Nov. 2, 2020

Rule 504 of Regulation D: A Small Entity Compliance Guide for Issuers

Corporation Finance

Final Rule 
Facilitating Capital Formation and Expanding Investment Opportunities by Improving Access to Capital in Private Markets  

33-10884; 34-90300; IC-34082

Oct. 28, 2020

Use of Derivatives by Registered Investment Companies and Business Development Companies

Investment Management

Final Rule 
Use of Derivatives by Registered Investment Companies and Business Development Companies

IC-34084

Sept. 23, 2020

Procedural Requirements and Resubmission Thresholds under Exchange Act Rule 14a-8

Corporation Finance; Investment Management

Final Rule 
Procedural Requirements and Resubmission Thresholds under Exchange Act Rule 14a-8

34-89964

Aug. 26, 2020

Amendments to Accredited Investor Definition

Corporation Finance; Investment Management

Final Rule 
Accredited Investor Definition

33-10824; 34-89669

Aug. 26, 2020

Modernization of Regulation S-K Items 101, 103, and 105

Corporation Finance

Final Rule 
Modernization of Regulation S-K Items 101, 103, and 105

33-10825; 34-89670

July 22, 2020

Exemptions from the Proxy Rules for Proxy Advice

Corporation Finance; Investment Management

Final Rule 
Exemptions from the Proxy Rules for Proxy Voting Advice

33-10825; 34-89670

May 20, 2020

Financial Disclosures about Acquired and Disposed Businesses

Corporation Finance; Investment Management

Final Rule 
Amendments to Financial Disclosures about Acquired and Disposed Businesses

33-10786; 34-88914; IC-33872

Apr. 8, 2020

Securities Offering Reform for Closed-End Investment Companies

Investment Management

Final Rule 
Securities Offering Reform for Closed-End Investment Companies

33–10771; 34–88606; IC–33836; File No. S7–03–19

Mar. 12, 2020

Accelerated Filer and Large Accelerated Filer Definitions

Corporation Finance; Investment Management

Final Rule 
Accelerated Filer and Large Accelerated Filer Definitions

34-88365

Mar. 2, 2020

Financial Disclosures about Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities and Affiliates Whose Securities Collateralize a Registrant’s Securities

Corporation Finance

Final Rule 
Financial Disclosures about Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities and Affiliates Whose Securities Collateralize a Registrant’s Securities

33-10762; 34-88307

Sept. 26, 2019

Solicitations of Interest Prior to a Registered Public Offering

Corporation Finance; Investment Management

Final Rule 
Solicitations of Interest Prior to a Registered Public Offering

33-10699; File No. S7-01-19

June 18, 2019

Auditor Independence With Respect to Certain Loans or Debtor-Creditor Relationships

Office of the Chief Accountant

Final Rule 
Auditor Independence With Respect to Certain Loans or Debtor-Creditor Relationships

33-10648; 34-86127; FR-85; IA-5255; IC-33511

June 5, 2019

Form CRS Relationship Summary; Amendments to Form ADV

Investment Management; Trading and Markets

Final Rule 
Form CRS Relationship Summary; Amendments to Form ADV

34-86032; IA-5247

June 5, 2019

Regulation Best Interest

Trading and Markets

Final Rule 
Regulation Best Interest: The Broker-Dealer Standard of Conduct

34-86031

Mar. 20, 2019

FAST Act Modernization and Simplification of Regulation S-K

Corporation Finance; Investment Management

Final Rule 
FAST Act Modernization and Simplification of Regulation S-K

33-10618; 34-85381; IA-5206; IC-33426

Dec. 20, 2018

Disclosure of Hedging by Employees, Officers and Directors

Corporation Finance

Final Rule 
Disclosure of Hedging by Employees, Officers and Directors

33-10593; 34-84883; IC-33333

Nov. 30, 2018

Covered Investment Fund Research Reports

Investment Management

Final Rule 
Covered Investment Fund Research Reports

33-10580; 34-84710; IC-33311

Aug. 17, 2018

Disclosure Update and Simplification

Corporation Finance

Final Rule 
Disclosure Update and Simplification

33-10532; 34-83875; IC-33203

June 28, 2018

Operating Company Inline XBRL Filing of Tagged Data

Corporation Finance; Economic and Risk Analysis

Final Rule 
Inline XBRL Filing of Tagged Data

33-10514; 34-83551; IC-33139

June 28, 2018

Open-End Management Investment Company Inline XBRL Filing of Tagged Data

Investment Management; Economic and Risk Analysis

Final Rule 
Inline XBRL Filing of Tagged Data

33-10514; 34-83551; IC-33139

June 28, 2018

Amendments to the Smaller Reporting Company Definition

Corporation Finance

Final Rule 
Smaller Reporting Company Definition

33-10513; 34-83550                          

June 5, 2018

Optional Internet Availability of Investment Company Shareholder Reports Rules

Investment Management

Final Rule 
Optional Internet Availability of Investment Company Shareholder Reports

33-10506; 34-83380; IC-33115; File No. S7-08-1

Mar. 22, 2017

Amendment to Securities Transaction Settlement Cycle

Trading and Markets

Final Rule 
Securities Transaction Settlement Cycle

34-80295

Mar. 1, 2017

Exhibit Hyperlinks and HTML Format

Corporation Finance

Final Rule 
Exhibit Hyperlinks and HTML Format

33-10322; 34-80132

Oct. 26, 2016

Intrastate Offering Exemptions

Corporation Finance

Final Rule 
Exemptions to Facilitate Intrastate and Regional Securities Offerings

33-10238; 34-79161

Oct. 13, 2016

Investment Company Liquidity Risk Management Program Rules

Investment Management

Risk Management:

Final Rule 
Investment Company Liquidity Risk Management Programs

33- 10233; IC- 32315

Risk Disclosure:

Final Rule 
Investment Company Liquidity Disclosure

IC-33142

Oct. 13, 2016

Investment Company Reporting Modernization Rules

Investment Management

Final Rule 
Investment Company Reporting Modernization

33-10231; 34-79095; IC-32314

Oct. 13, 2016

Investment Company Swing Pricing

Investment Management

Final Rule 
Investment Company Swing Pricing

33-10234; IC-32316

July 20, 2016

Disclosure of Payments by Resource Extraction Issuers

Corporation Finance

Final Rule 

Disclosure of Payments by Resource Extraction Issuers  

34-78167

May 24, 2016

Changes to Exchange Act Registration Requirements to Implement Title V and Title VI of the JOBS Act

Corporation Finance

Final Rule 

Changes to Exchange Act Registration Requirements to Implement Title V and Title VI of the JOBS Act 

33-10075; 34-77757

May 13, 2016

Regulation Crowdfunding: A Small Entity Compliance Guide for Issuers

Corporation Finance

Final Rule 
Crowdfunding

33-9974; 34-76324

Nov. 16, 2015

Registration of Funding Portals

Trading and Markets

Final Rule 
Crowdfunding

33-9974; 34-76324

Oct. 30, 2015

Regulation Crowdfunding for Crowdfunding Intermediaries

Corporation Finance

Final Rule 
Crowdfunding

33-9974; 34-76324

May 20, 2015

Form ADV and Investment Advisers Act Rules

Investment Management

Proposed Rule
Form ADV and Investment Advisers Act Rules

IA-4091

May 25, 2015

Amendments to Regulation A

Corporation Finance

Final Rule 
2015:  Amendments for Small and Additional Issues Exemptions under the Securities Act

Nos. 33-9741; 34-74578; 39-2501

33-10591

Aug. 27, 2014

August 2014 Amendments to Existing Rules and New Rules That Apply to Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations, Providers of Due Diligence Services for Asset-Backed Securities, and Issuers and Underwriters of Asset-Backed Securities in Accordance with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act

Office of Credit Ratings

Final Rule 
Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations

34-72936

Dec. 27, 2013

References to Ratings of Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations

Investment Management

Final Rule 
Removal of Certain References to Credit Ratings Under the Investment Company Act

33-9506; IC-30847; File No. S7-7-11

Oct. 21, 2013

Amendments to Financial Responsibility Rules for Broker-Dealers

Trading and Markets

Final Rule 
Financial Responsibility Rules for Broker-Dealers

34-70072

Sept. 20, 2013

Registration of Municipal Advisors

Office of Municipal Securities

Final Rule 
Registration of Municipal Advisors  

34-70072

July 30, 2013

Broker-Dealer Reports

Trading and Markets

Final Rule
Broker-Dealer Reports

34-70073

July 10, 2013

Eliminating the Prohibition Against General Solicitation and General Advertising in Rule 506 and Rule 144A Offerings

Corporation Finance

Final Rule
Eliminating the Prohibition Against General Solicitation and General Advertising in Rule 506 and Rule 144A Offerings

33-9415; No. 34-69959; No. IA-3624

July 10, 2013

Disqualification of Felons and Other "Bad Actors" from Rule 506 Offerings and Related Disclosure Requirements

Corporation Finance

Final Rule
Eliminating the Prohibition Against General Solicitation and General Advertising in Rule 506 and Rule 144A Offerings

33-9415; No. 34-69959; No. IA-3624

April 10, 2013

Identity Theft Red Flags Rules

Investment Management; Trading and Markets

Final Rule 
Identity Theft Red Flags Rules

34-69359; IA-3582; IC-30456

Nov. 19, 2012

Rule 6a-5

Investment Management

Final Rule 
Purchase of Certain Debt Securities by Business and Industrial Development Companies Relying on an Investment Company Act Exemption

IC-30268

Aug. 22, 2012

Conflict Minerals Disclosure

Corporation Finance

Final Rule 
Conflict Minerals

34-67716

Dec. 21, 2011

"Accredited Investor" Net Worth Standard

Corporation Finance

Final Rule
Net Worth Standard for Accredited Investors

33-9287; IA-3341; IC-29891

Nov. 3, 2010

Rule 15c3-5 — Risk Management Controls for Brokers or Dealers with Market Access

Trading and Markets

Final Rule 
Risk Management Controls for Brokers or Dealers with Market Access

34-63241

Aug. 25, 2010

Facilitating Shareholder Director Nominations

Corporation Finance; Investment Management

Final Rule 
Facilitating Shareholder Director Nominations

33-9136; 34-62764; IC-29384

Mar. 10, 2010Short Sale Price Test Restrictions

Final Rule 
Amendments to Regulation SHO

34-61595

Dec. 31, 2009

Final Model Privacy Form Under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act

Investment Management;  Trading and Markets

Final Rule
Final Model Privacy Form under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act

34-61003; IA-2950; IC-28997

Dec. 23, 2009

Advisers Act Rule 206(3)-3T (Temporary Rule Regarding Principal Trades with Certain Advisory Clients)

Investment Management

Final Rule 
Temporary Rule Regarding Principal Trades With Certain Advisory Clients

IA-3984 

Aug. 4, 2009

Regulation S-AM: Limitations on Affiliate Marketing

Trading and Markets; Investment Management

Final Rule 
Regulation S-AM: Limitations on Affiliate Marketing

34-60423; IC-28842; IA-2911

July 31, 2009

Amendment to Regulation SHO to Adopt Exchange Act Rule 204T

Trading and Markets

Final Rule 
Amendments to Regulation SHO

34-58773

July 27, 2009

Amendment to Regulation SHO to Adopt Exchange Act Rule 204

Trading and Markets

Final Rule 
Amendments to Regulation SHO

34-60388

Jan. 30, 2009

Interactive Data for Financial Reporting

Corporation Finance

Final Rule 
Interactive Data to Improve Financial Reporting

33-9002; 34-59324; 39-2461; IC-28609

Oct. 14, 2008

Amendment to Eliminate the Options Market Maker Exception in Exchange Act Rule 203(b)(3) of Regulation SHO

Trading and Markets

Final Rule 
Amendments to Regulation SHO

34-58775

Oct. 14, 2008

Adoption of "Naked" Short Selling Antifraud Rule, Exchange Act Rule 10b-21

Trading and Markets

Final Rule 
“Naked” Short Selling Antifraud Rule

34-58774

Aug. 27, 2008

Revisions to the Cross-Border Tender Offer, Exchange Offer, Rights Offerings, and Business Combination Rules and Beneficial Ownership Reporting Rules for Certain Foreign Institutions

Corporation Finance

Final Rule 
Commission Guidance and Revisions to the Cross-Border Tender Offer, Exchange Offer, Rights Offerings, and Business Combination Rules and Beneficial Ownership Reporting Rules for Certain Foreign Institutions 

33-8957; 34-58597

April 11, 2008

Regulation R: Exceptions for Banks from the Definition of Broker in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Trading and Markets

Final Rule 
Definitions of Terms and Exemptions Relating. to the "Broker" Exceptions for Banks

34-56501

Apr. 10, 2008

Revisions to Form S-11 to Permit Historical Incorporation by Reference

Corporation Finance

Final Rule 
Revisions to Form S-11 To Permit Historical Incorporation by Reference

33-8909

Feb. 15, 2008

Revisions to Rules 144 and 145

Corporation Finance

Final Rule 
Revisions to Rules 144 and 145

33-8869

Feb. 6, 2008

Filing and Amending a Form D Notice

Corporation Finance

Final Rule 
Electronic Filing and Revision of Form D

33-8891; 34-57280; 39-2453; IC-28145

Jan. 18, 2008

Electronic Shareholder Forums: Amendment to Exchange Act Rule 14a-2 and New Exchange Act Rule 14a-17

Corporation Finance

Final Rule 
Electronic Shareholder Forums

34-57172; IC-28124; File No. S7-16-0

Dec. 19, 2007

Eligibility of Smaller Companies to Use Form S-3 or F-3 for Primary Securities Offerings

Corporation Finance

Final Rule 
Revisions to the Eligibility Requirements for Primary Securities Offerings on Forms S-3 and F-3

33-8878

Dec. 19, 2007

Changeover to the SEC's New Smaller Reporting Company System by Small Business Issuers and Non-Accelerated Filer Companies

Corporation Finance

Final Rule 
Smaller Reporting Company Regulatory Relief and Simplification

33-8876; 34 56994; 39-2451

Dec. 6, 2007

Exchange Act Rule 14a-8(i)(8)

Corporation Finance

Final Rule 
Shareholder Proposals Relating to the Election of Directors 

34–56914; IC–28075

Aug. 6, 2007

Short Selling in Connection with a Public Offering: Amendments to Rule 105 of Regulation M

Trading and Markets

Final Rule 
Short Selling in Connection With a Public Offering

34-54888; 34-56206

June 28, 2007

Amendments to Exchange Act Rule 10a-1 and Rules 201 and 200(g) of Regulation SHO

Trading and Markets

Final Rule 
Regulation SHO and Rule 10a–1

34-55970; File No. S7–21–06

Jan. 3, 2005

Amendments to Exchange Act Rules 203(b)(3) and 200(e) of Regulation SHO 

Trading and Markets

Final Rule 
Amendments to Regulation SHO

34-56212

July 28, 1998

Plain English Handbook (How to create clear SEC disclosure documents) 

Corporation Finance

Final Rule 
Plain English Disclosure

33-7497; 34-38164

Information on SEC rules relating to the small entities listed in the left column below may be located through the link to the information provided by the SEC operating division or office listed in the corresponding right column.

Last Reviewed or Updated: June 17, 2026