CTA Alert: Key Ownership Reporting Rules for U.S. Businesses

The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) was passed by the United States Congress to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. The CTA establishes a beneficial ownership information reporting requirement for corporations, limited liability companies, and other similar entities created or registered to do business in the United States. The beneficial ownership information reports must be filed with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a bureau within the U.S. Department of Treasury. Reporting companies that were formed or registered prior to January 1, 2024, must file an initial beneficial ownership information report by January 1, 2025. Reporting companies that were formed on or after January 1, 2024, must file a beneficial ownership information report within 90 calendar days of notice of formation. Reporting companies that were formed on or after January 1, 2025, must file a beneficial ownership information report within 30 calendar days of notice of formation. Beneficial ownership information reports are filed at https://www.fincen.gov/boi.

The requirement to report beneficial ownership and other information about the business directly to FinCEN applies to most businesses registered with the office of Georgia Secretary of State. Failure to comply with this new reporting requirement may result in significant civil and criminal penalties. We encourage you to review the information found at https://www.fincen.gov/boi.