The Majority of US Small Businesses Will Soon Face New Filing Requirements

New regulations regarding financial reporting for American businesses operating both domestically and overseas will soon go into effect.

In 2021, Congress passed the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), which is a piece of legislation aimed at monitoring potential money laundering and other illicit activities. Businesses subject to the CTA will be required to provide information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), an arm of the Department of the Treasury. The CTA requires the filing of a “beneficial owner report,” which furnishes key information about each beneficial owner of the business: full legal name, date of birth, residential street address, and identifying numbers from legal documents (e.g., driver’s license or passport). Failure to furnish the information required by the CTA can result in hefty penalties and even imprisonment.

Recently, FinCEN issued proposed regulations that include the following details:

1. The CTA will go into effect upon finalization of the FinCEN regulations, which is expected to occur sometime in 2022.
2. The CTA reporting requirements will apply to the majority of small businesses, including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, limited liability limited partnerships, and business trusts. Sole proprietorships and general partnerships are not subject to the CTA, and companies with more than 20 full-time employees and $5 million in gross receipts are also exempt.
3. A “beneficial owner” is someone who own 25% or more of the company and who exercises substantial control over the company, either directly or indirectly.

Our accounting advisors are working diligently to remain up to date on new developments regarding the CTA and FinCEN reporting requirements. You can be confident that we will keep you apprised of the situation. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.