On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, a federal district court in Texas issued an order granting a nationwide, preliminary injunction that: (1) enjoins enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and regulations implementing its beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting requirements, and (2) stays all deadlines to comply with the CTA’s reporting requirements, including the January 1, 2025 deadline for reporting companies to submit their initial BOI report. The Department of Justice, on behalf of the Department of the Treasury, filed an appeal of the district court’s decision on December 5, 2024. This BOI reporting update is crucial for businesses navigating the evolving compliance landscape.
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has responded that as long as the preliminary injunction remains in effect:
- reporting companies are not required to report BOI to FinCEN; and
- reporting companies will not be subject to liability for failing to report their BOI.
FinCEN also indicated that reporting companies may continue to voluntarily submit BOI reports.
The future of the CTA and BOI reporting, including when reports need to be submitted, remains fluid and unpredictable. While the Texas district court’s ruling may be the most recent decision issued, it is not the only case in which the CTA has been challenged. Federal district court decisions on the validity of the CTA have conflicted, and three district court cases are currently being appealed to their respective Courts of Appeals. As such, it is strongly advised that CPA firms continue to closely monitor developments and be prepared to respond swiftly if necessary.
Check the FinCEN Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting page and the AICPA beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting page for more.
For more information: