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Latest Corporate Transparency Act Guidance Following Supreme Court Stay and Ongoing Injunction

Latest Corporate Transparency Act Guidance Following Supreme Court Stay and Ongoing Injunction

Latest Corporate Transparency Act Guidance Following Supreme Court Stay and Ongoing Injunction

The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) implementation has changed with some frequency. We will be keeping you up to date on this page. Here is the latest as of January 29, 2025:

As of January 24, 2025, the filing obligations for the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting requirements remain on hold despite recent Supreme Court action. While the Supreme Court lifted the nationwide preliminary injunction issued in Texas Top Cop Shop, Inc. v. McHenry, a separate nationwide injunction remains in effect under Smith v. U.S. Department of Treasury, thereby maintaining the voluntary nature of CTA reporting for the time being.

A. Supreme Court Involvement

On January 23, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay of the nationwide preliminary injunction in Texas Top Cop Shop, Inc. v. McHenry (Case No. 24A653). However, due to a separate nationwide injunction issued on January 7, 2025, in Smith v. U.S. Department of Treasury (Case No. 6:24-CV-336, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas), CTA reporting obligations remain unenforceable. The Department of Justice has not yet filed an appeal in Smith, and it is uncertain whether the new administration will choose to challenge this ruling.

B. Expedited Appeals Process

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has set a briefing schedule for February 2025, with oral arguments scheduled for March 25, 2025, regarding Texas Top Cop Shop, Inc. v. McHenry. Additionally, any future appeal of Smith could further shape the enforcement landscape.

C. Potential Legislative Action

Congressional discussions about the CTA’s future are gaining traction. Two bills, H.R. 425 and S. 100, have been introduced in Congress proposing to repeal the CTA, which created the BOI reporting mandate. Given the shifting political and regulatory landscape, companies should closely monitor legislative developments that could impact future compliance obligations.

II. Current Alternatives for Reporting Companies

A. Stay Prepared for Immediate Compliance

While reporting is currently voluntary, we strongly recommend that companies prepare to file their BOI reports as soon as possible. This readiness ensures prompt action if the injunction is stayed or lifted, reducing the risk of non-compliance if the deadlines are reinstated with little notice.

B. Consider Voluntary Compliance

Some companies may choose to file their BOI reports now, even while the injunction remains in place, as a proactive measure to prepare for future compliance and avoid a scramble if the injunction is stayed or lifted. FinCEN has advised that reporting companies may voluntarily submit beneficial ownership reports. This decision should be guided by your organization’s risk tolerance and operational priorities.

C. Monitor Penalty Risks and Developments

Under the current injunction, there is no risk of penalties for delayed filings, as FinCEN has confirmed that BOI submissions are not mandatory at this time. However, the regulatory environment remains fluid, with potential appeals and legislative action on the horizon. Companies should remain vigilant and monitor legal and regulatory updates closely.

Please reach out to our Corporate or Tax attorneys for guidance on how these developments may affect your compliance strategy.


This was accurate as of December 26, 2024:

Reporting companies are once again required to comply with the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting requirements, although the deadline has been shifted slightly to allow those companies required to report more time. A federal court in a challenge to the CTA, Texas Top Cop Shop, Inc. v. Garland, et al., had temporarily halted enforcement, but on December 23, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit overturned that injunction.

The new reporting deadlines are as follows:

  • Companies created or registered before January 1, 2024: The initial BOI report deadline has been extended from January 1, 2025, to January 13, 2025.
  • Companies created or registered on or after September 4, 2024: Companies with a filing deadline falling between December 3, 2024, and December 23, 2024, now have until January 13, 2025, to submit their BOI reports.
  • Companies created or registered between December 3, 2024, and December 23, 2024: These companies are granted an additional 21 days from their original filing deadline to submit BOI reports.
  • Companies created or registered on or after January 1, 2025: These companies must file their BOI reports within 30 days of receiving actual or public notice of their creation or registration.
  • Companies qualifying for disaster relief: Extended deadlines may apply if they fall beyond January 13, 2025. These companies should adhere to whichever deadline occurs later.

Here is what we recommend for those obligated to report:

  • Prepare to File by January 13, 2025, as time is of the essence. Businesses that have not yet filed their BOI reports should ensure that all information has been gathered and that the BOI report is prepared for submissions well before the new deadline of January 13, 2025.
  • Companies formed after December 3, 2024, should consult with their legal counsel to confirm their specific filing deadline. The filing deadline may differ for reporting companies, so please reach out to our team for further information.

All businesses should remain informed of all pending legal challenges to the CTA that remain unresolved. This case is just one of the several that remains pending and addresses the CTA’s constitutionality. Therefore, additional developments are likely forthcoming that may impact compliance obligations in the near future.

If you have any questions about this FinCEN release or the new filing deadline for your company, please reach out to a Procopio Corporate or Tax attorney for additional information.


Juan D. Arau

Associate

Juan counsels clients in a variety of industries with their business and corporate matters, including tax issues, cross-border challenges, mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate restructuring, corporate governance, compliance, and a wide range of commercial agreements. He assists with the implementation of corporate strategies suggested to our clients. Prior to joining Procopio, Juan worked 12 years with Baker McKenzie in Mexico in their Tijuana and Guadalajara offices. During that time he formed part of their Corporate (M&A) Practice for 7 years, until he was entrusted to establish and lead the Foreign Trade and Customs Practice in their Tijuana office.

Juan counsels clients in a variety of industries with their business and corporate matters, including tax issues, cross-border challenges, mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate restructuring, corporate governance, compliance, and a wide range of commercial agreements. He assists with the implementation of corporate strategies suggested to our clients. Prior to joining Procopio, Juan worked 12 years with Baker McKenzie in Mexico in their Tijuana and Guadalajara offices. During that time he formed part of their Corporate (M&A) Practice for 7 years, until he was entrusted to establish and lead the Foreign Trade and Customs Practice in their Tijuana office.

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