In what is considered a historic legislative change, the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) requires almost all new and existing corporations and LLCs to disclose ownership information directly to the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), starting in January of 2024.

The purpose of the Corporate Transparency Act is to enhance U.S. national security by preventing misuse of corporations and LLCs for money laundering, cyber crime, fraud, tax evasion, human and drug trafficking, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the financing of terrorism.

This new legislation marks the first time in history the federal government will maintain a database of company ownership for law enforcement purposes.

Significant Civil and Criminal Penalties Under the Corporate Transparency Act

Substantial monetary penalties ($500 per day up to $10,000 for willful non-compliance and $250,000 for misuse of ownership information) and criminal penalties (up to two years in prison for willful non-compliance and five years in prison for misuse of ownership information) also apply to the legislation.

Minimum Corporation & LLC Ownership Disclosure Previously Required

Corporation and LLC formation was previously possible with minimum government disclosure regarding company ownership.

For example, states like California and Delaware collect no information about who owns corporations upon formation. According to a 2016 report, 14 states allow company registration without disclosing shareholders or managers. Delaware, alone, is home to 1.6 million business entities.

Some states collect less information when forming a corporation or LLC than is collected when issuing a public library card.

According to the Tax Justice Network’s Financial Secrecy Index, the United States ranks only behind the Cayman Islands, as the second most secretive jurisdiction in the world.

Money Laundering, Tax Evasion, Terrorism, Fraud & More Targeted by Corporate Transparency Act

According to the federal government, the ability to operate corporations and LLCs (sometimes referred to as “shell companies“) without disclosing ownership information leads to money laundering, tax evasion, fraud, cyber crime, terrorism and more.

Criminal cases filed over the last five years alone, involving $2.3 billion laundered via real estate alone, show that anonymous shell companies, which were used 82% of the time, are the number one source of U.S. money laundering.

The Corporate Transparency Act signals the biggest change to anti-money laundering laws since the USA Patriot Act of 2001.

The Pandora Papers

A 2021 leak of 11.9 million financial records (the largest in history and which involved approximately 600 journalists), known as the Pandora Papers, revealed how politicians, celebrities, athletes, business leaders and billionaires use shell companies to, among other things, shield their investments and wealth.

The Pandora Papers, and other similar leaks, revealed that shell companies were implicated in bribery payments, corrupt public procurement practices, counterfeit goods transfers, human rights abuses and tax evasion, which some argue warrants even more stringent oversight.

“Beneficial Ownership” Information Must Now be Disclosed to Federal Government

Ultimately, the goal of the Corporate Transparency Act is to bolster national security interests by collecting “beneficial ownership” information (the identity of the individuals who actually own or control the company) on all entities in existence in the United States.

This beneficial (i.e., true) ownership information must now be disclosed upon entity formation and whenever there are any changes to the entity.

The law also applies to existing companies, who have a one-year window to provide ownership information to the federal government.

Failure to comply with the new law can lead to severe criminal and civil penalties.

When did the Corporate Transparency Act become law?

Congress enacted the CTA on January 1, 2021 as part of the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 (AML). The AML is part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which former President Trump vetoed on Dec. 23, 2020. However, congress’ override of the NDAA, on January 1, 2021, made the law official.

You might be familiar with the Anti-Money Laundering Act in the context of banks since, for years, they have been required to determine and disclose the “beneficial owners” of business bank accounts to the government.

The burden of providing business ownership information is now extending from banks directly to business owners.

This is a new, and the first, law imposing federal reporting requirement for small businesses owners.

These new federal transparency requirements will make it much easier for U.S. prosecutors to levy charges against those using corporations and LLCs for criminal activities.

What is the purpose of the Corporate Transparency Act?

The aim of the CTA is to thwart the use of corporations and LLCs (sometimes referred to as “shell companies”) for money laundering, tax evasion, terrorism, cyber crime and other “illicit” activities.

More specifically, the goals are:

Clear Incorporation Standards: Set a clear, Federal standard for incorporation practices;

Protect National Security Interests: Protect vital United States national security interests;

Protect Commerce: Protect interstate and foreign commerce;

Counter Illicit Activity: Better enable critical national security, intelligence, and law enforcement efforts to counter money laundering, the financing of terrorism, and other illicit activity; and

Establish Compliance Standards: Bring the United States into compliance with international anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism standards.

Does the Corporate Transparency Act apply to me?

If you are an owner of an existing corporation or LLC, or are plan to become an owner of one of the approximately 2,000,000 corporations and LLCs formed each year in the United States, this new law applies to you.

The CTA is purposefully broad and applies to almost all entities formed in the United States or registered to do business here.

What are the penalties for willfuly failing to comply?

The penalties are substantial.

Willfully failing to comply with the Corporate Transparency Act, or providing any false or fraudulent information, can result in civil penalties of up to $500 per day (up to $10,000).

Willfully violating the CTA can also lead to criminal penalties of up to two years in prison.

Additional penalties, including criminal fines up to $250,000 and up to five years of imprisonment, apply to misuse of information collected under the CTA.

When does the Corporate Transparency Act go into effect?

The CTA goes into effect on January 1, 2024.

Who must report?

You must report if you are the “beneficial owner” of a corporation, LLC that was formed in the United States, or is registered to to business in the United States.

The law also apples to similar entities that have been created by filing paperwork with the secretary of state (or similar agency).

Although partnerships and trusts, are not currently specifically enumerated, these entities will most likely also be subject to reporting requirements.

Are any entities exempt?

Yes.

The following are some of the entities that are exempt from reporting under the Corporate Transparency act including. Examples include:

Large Companies: These entities include larger companies with more than 20 full-time employees in the United States, operating from a US physical office location and gross receipts/sales exceeding $5 million;

Publicly Traded Companies: Specifically those subject to SEC regulations;

Dormant Companies: Specifically, those that have (i) been in existence for over one year; (ii) not engaged in active business; (iii) no direct or indirect foreign ownership; (iv) no ownership change over the last 12 months or sent/received funds over $1,000; and (v) no assets of any kind including ownership in another entity.;

Tax-Exempt Entities: Nonprofit Section 501(c) corporations and certain political organizations;

Banks & Credit Unions: Specifically, those existing pursuant to the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, Investment Company Act of  1940, Investment Advisors Act of 1940, Federal Credit Union Act and Home Owners’ Loan Act;

Insurance Companies: Specifically, those defined under Section 2 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 or authorized by a State and subject to control by an Insurance Commissioner, or similar agency and has a US physical location; and

Public Utilities: Providers of telecommunications, water, gas, power or sewer services in the US.

What is a “Beneficial Owner”?

A “beneficial owner” corresponds to the following:

Substantial Control: An individual exercising “substantial control” over a corporation or LLC; or

25% Ownership: An individual owning at least 25% ownership interest of a corporation or LLC; or

Substantial Economic Benefit: An individual receiving substantial economic benefits from the assets of the corporation or LLC.

“Substantial control” can be direct or indirect, via contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or other means.

Corporation & LLC positions that may constitute “substantial control.”

For Corporations: Directors and officers including a president, vice president (VP), chief executive officer (CEO), secretary, treasurer or chief financial officer (CFO).

For LLCs: Managers.

Applicable positions that may be deemed to exercise “substantial control.” 

“an executive officer or senior manager (e.g., a CEO, CFO, COO, managing member, general partner, president, vice president, or treasurer); or any other individual who regularly performs similar functions.

Are there any exclusions to beneficial ownership?

Beneficial ownership does not include the following:

Minor Child: A minor child under the age of majority in the state of entity formation as long as the parent or guardian reports;

Agent: An individual acting as a nominee, intermediary, custodian, or agent on behalf of another individual;

Employee: An individual acting solely as an employee and whose economic benefits derive solely from their employment status;

Heir Apparent: An individual whose interest in a corporation, LLC or other applicable entity is through a right of inheritance; and

Solely Creditor: A creditor of the entity, unless it exercises substantial control or has 25% of the interests in the entity.

What specific information must beneficial owners provide?

Under the CTA, beneficial owners are required to provide the following information:

Name: Full name as it appears on a driver’s license or other official government document;

Birthday: Date of birth;

Address: Current residential or business address; and

ID Number: A unique identifying number from a state-issued ID (e.g., non-expired driver’s license, passport or personal identification card).

When are NEW companies (formed AFTER the CTA goes into effect) required to report?

New entities are required to report at the time of formation.

When are EXISTING companies (formed BEFORE the CTA goes into effect) required to report?

Existing entities are required to report within one year of the regulations taking effect.

What are reporting requirements for changes to an entity?

Entities will need to report changes in beneficial ownership in a “timely manner.”

How often is this information updated?

Any change to reported information must be provided to FinCEN within one year of the change.

Who maintains the information in the database?

The database is maintained by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

FinCEN is a division of the United States Department of the Treasury which collects and analyzes financial transaction information to fight money laundering, terrorist financing and other financial crime.

This information helps federal, state, local and international law enforcement.

When was FinCEN created?

FinCEN was created in 1990 pursuant to the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) (which was enacted in 1970).

Who has access to this information in the FinCEN database? Is the information provided private?

The information in the FinCEN database is not public and will only be accessible to the following:

Federal Government Agencies: Federal government agencies in national security intelligence or other law enforcement activity (e.g., the FBI);

State & Local Law Enforcement: State and local law enforcement, in furtherance of a criminal or civil investigation, with an appropriate court order (e.g., a warrant);

Non-U.S. Law Enforcement: Non-U.S. law enforcement (e.g., Interpol); and

Financial Institutions: Financial institutions complying with due diligence requirements (sometimes known as “Know Your Customer” (KYC)) that have been granted permission by the reporting company.

Information in the database cannot be obtained pursuant to a Freedom of Information Act request.

However, proof of compliance will likely requisite to doing business with banks and lenders, which does create privacy concerns.

How long will FinCEN retain the ownership information?

Corporation and LLC beneficial ownership information is kept until five years after termination of the entity.

Are there any penalties under the Corporate Transparency Act?

Yes.

Severe penalties apply and violations fall into two categories: (1) willful violations and (2) negligent violations.

WILLFUL Violations

Civil Penalties: Willful violations, such as intentional false statements or failing to supply necessary beneficial ownership information, can result in civil penalties of up to $500 per day (up to $10,000).

Criminal Penalties: In addition to civil penalties, willful violators face up to two years in prison.

NEGLIGENT Violations of the Corporate Transparency Act

Civil Penalties: Civil penalties do not apply to negligent violations of the Corporate Transparency Act.

Criminal Penalties: Criminal penalties do not apply to negligent violations of the Corporate Transparency Act.

Safe Harbor Rules: Safe harbor rules apply to individuals who negligent violations as long as the they (a) did not know about the inaccuracy, (b) were not attempting to evade reporting requirements, and (c) correct any inaccurately reported information “voluntarily and promptly,” but not more than 90 days after submission.

How should I prepare for compliance?

If any uncertainty exists as to the beneficial ownership of a company you are a part of, immediately start identifying who the beneficial owners are in order to avoid significant civil and criminal penalties.

Also be sure to consult with a business attorney, experienced with this new law, with any questions.

Ultimately, do not wait until the last minutes to comply with the CTA.

What are the ultimate benefits of the Corporate Transparency Act?

Although compliance will be burdensome, the CTA will serve as an important weapon in the arsenal against money laundering, cyber crime, tax evasion and terrorism.

It will streamline the collection of beneficial ownership information via one overseeing government entity and also put less stress on the financial institutions who are currently responsible for collecting beneficial ownership information.

It will also allow financial institutions to focus on other resources to prevent criminal activity.

For decades, bad actors have been able to take advantage of reporting loopholes which aided in criminal activities.

Now the loophole is being filled in with stringent reporting requirements which should benefit both US citizens and the government.

ALSO SEE: $500/Day Penalty & Prison Time Per Corporate Transparency Act