Gusto Simplifies HR and Compliance for Growing Small Businesses

Business Compliance proactively registers and files on a small business's behalf when it hires across state lines — changing compliance from reactive and stressful into proactive and managed

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Gusto, the leading partner for small businesses, today announced general availability for Gusto Business Compliance, a solution that automatically registers, files, and monitors the state and local compliance obligations that come with growing a business — most notably, when hiring an employee in a new state.

Gusto Business Compliance launches alongside two additional offerings, Gusto HR Partners and Gusto Professional Employer Organization (PEO). Together, these solutions are built to meet small businesses' compliance and HR needs at every stage of growth and complexity.

The launch comes as compliance costs increasingly weigh on small business growth. In a recent survey, half of small business owners said they spend too much time and money on compliance, and that it's negatively impacting their growth. In the same survey, 3 in 4 business owners said that filing federal, state, and local taxes was their most time-consuming compliance task.

Because Gusto already runs a business's payroll and HR, it has visibility when the business makes a new hire across state lines. This allows Business Compliance to proactively act on new requirements that many small business owners aren't even aware of, making compliance easier and simpler. The launch comes less than six months after Gusto's acquisition of Mosey, a compliance automation company.

"Small business owners shouldn't have to become compliance experts. We built Gusto Business Compliance to help handle the paperwork, registrations, and filings required by states and local agencies, so they don't have to," said Alex Kehayias, Head of Gusto Business Compliance. "That gives them peace of mind, so they can focus on growing their businesses."

Business Compliance is available now to all Gusto customers. Features include:

• State Tax Registration — Registers a business with state and local agencies such as the Department of Revenue and Department of Labor to establish required tax accounts when hiring in a new state
  
  
• Annual Report — Files the annual report required by states to maintain a business's good standing with the Secretary of State
  
  
• Government Mail Monitoring — Tracks and resolves official compliance mail from state and local agencies, tax notices, and tax rate changes, directly within Gusto
  
  
• Registered Agent — Appoints a designated agent in each state to receive legal and official government correspondence on behalf of the business
  
  
• Foreign Qualification — Registers a business with the Secretary of State to legally operate in another state
  
  
• Proactive Compliance Alerts — Notifies customers of upcoming compliance deadlines and new obligations, including annual reports, as well as annual tax reminders
  
  
• Compliance Concierge Team — Team of dedicated compliance experts provides assistance during critical moments, like expanding to a new state

"With Business Compliance, you get 100% confidence that you are doing the right thing … having the peace of mind that it's being taken care of properly and things are getting paid and filed correctly." — Chris Rupp, Founder and Managing Partner, Red Shark Digital

Alongside Gusto Business Compliance, Gusto HR Partners gives business owners direct access to a senior HR leader — a Gusto employee backed by a dedicated team.

For small businesses that want expert HR support, but aren't ready to hire full-time, a Gusto HR Partner can help navigate complex HR requirements, set compliant standards around hiring, onboarding, and terminations, and evolve their approach to benefits, total rewards, and internal communications – all without the cost of hiring a full-time HR executive.

Gusto HR Partners is available today to eligible customers, with broader availability coming soon.

Gusto PEO takes on much of the day-to-day work of payroll, benefits, HR, and compliance on a business's behalf. By banding many small businesses together, Gusto PEO gives them access to high-quality benefits and cost savings typically available to much larger companies.

That means small businesses can get more comprehensive benefits and compliance help as they grow, without leaving the Gusto platform they already know.

Gusto PEO will become available to eligible customers in the coming months.

Small business owners can learn more about Gusto Business Compliance at [http://gusto.com/product/business-compliance].

1. What is Gusto Business Compliance?
   Gusto Business Compliance is a solution that helps small businesses handle state tax registration, annual report filings, and other compliance requirements. Because Gusto already runs payroll and HR for a business, it has visibility on when a business makes a new hire in another state and proactively acts on the requirements that follow.
   
   
2. What does Gusto Business Compliance include?
   Gusto Business Compliance includes state tax registration, annual report filing, government mail monitoring, registered agent services, foreign qualification, proactive compliance alerts, and access to a Compliance Concierge Team of dedicated experts.
   
   
3. Who can use Gusto Business Compliance?
   Gusto Business Compliance is available now to all Gusto customers.
   
   
4. What is the difference between Gusto Business Compliance, Gusto HR Partners, and Gusto PEO?
   Gusto Business Compliance handles registrations, filings, and compliance deadlines for small businesses, especially when hiring in a new state. Gusto HR Partners gives business owners access to a senior HR expert for guidance on HR strategy and compliance. Gusto PEO (Professional Employer Organization) takes on much of the day-to-day work for payroll, compliance, benefits administration and HR directly, giving small businesses access to benefits and support typically reserved for larger companies.
   
   
5. Why does hiring an employee in a new state trigger compliance requirements?
   Hiring in a new state typically requires registering with that state's tax and labor agencies, filing for a registered agent, and in some cases qualifying to legally operate there. These requirements vary by state and are easy for business owners to miss, which is why Business Compliance automatically flags and handles them when a new-state hire occurs.
   
   
6. When will Gusto HR Partners become available?
   Gusto HR Partners is currently available to eligible customers, and will become available to more customers soon.
   
   
7. When will Gusto PEO be available?
   Gusto PEO will become available to eligible customers in the coming months.

About Gusto
Gusto is the leading partner for small businesses, helping them with a wide variety of critical tasks, including payroll, health benefits, tax credits, compliance, 401(k), HR, and much more. Gusto serves over 500,000 small businesses across the US, and is on a multi-decade journey to grow the small business economy with technology and heart.

Media Contact: 
Candice So
[email protected]

SOURCE Gusto, Inc.