Your lament is not an unusual one for a business owner; it’s unfortunate that legislators and regulators sometimes overlook or disregard the costs of compliance, especially for smaller firms.
Areas of regulation that apply to most small businesses, such as employment law, taxation, and consumer protection, are discussed in many books available from publishers [1] and business organizations [2]. A comprehensive, one-volume textbook on business law can also be a good starting place. These resources are valuable not only for the specific information they contain, but also to help identify areas for further inquiry. This sometimes involves professional advice, but it may just mean checking the website of the relevant government agency.
Indeed, many agencies publish guidance about the laws and regulations they administer. Examples include the IRS’s Employer’s Tax Guide [3], the California Employer’s Guide [4], and Your California Seller’s Permit [5].
Obviously, in more specialized and heavily regulated fields, it’s expected that businesses will have competent advisors. No one reads Becoming a National Bank [6] and then successfully applies for a bank charter, for example, without help from lawyers and others familiar with the process.
[1] https://store.nolo.com/products/legal-guide-for-starting-and...
[2] https://store.calchamber.com/10032179-mastqb/products/employ...
[3] https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-15
[4] https://www.edd.ca.gov/pdf_pub_ctr/de44.pdf
[5] http://www.cdtfa.ca.gov/formspubs/pub73.pdf
[6] https://www.occ.treas.gov/publications/publications-by-type/...