BOI Reporting: What Small Business Owners Need to Know

‍Update: FinCEN Reporting Requirements Reinstated

Following a federal Court of Appeals decision on December 23, 2024, FinCEN's beneficial ownership reporting requirements are back in effect, with adjusted deadlines to accommodate the transition period.

Companies created or registered before January 1, 2024 now have until January 13, 2025 to file their initial reports. Companies established between September and December 2024 have varying extended deadlines, with most falling on or before January 13, 2025. Going forward, new companies created after January 1, 2025, will need to file within 30 days of their registration. Additional details available on FinCEN's website here: https://fincen.gov/boi.

‍Update: Nationwide Injunction on BOI Reporting Enforcement

On December 2, 2024, a Texas federal court issued a nationwide injunction halting the enforcement of the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting requirements, originally set to take effect on January 1, 2024. This pause provides small business owners with temporary relief but highlights the importance of staying informed as the situation evolves. For more information, check out our blog post: BOI Reporting on Hold: What Small Business Owners Need to Know.

Here's the original text of this blog post:

At Eucalyptus, we strive to keep our clients in the loop about important regulatory changes that might affect their businesses. As of January 1, 2024, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has rolled out new requirements for small business Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI)reporting. While we don’t handle this specific service ourselves, we want to make sure you’re equipped with all the essential info to stay compliant. Ignorance may be bliss, but it also might cost you up to $10,000 in fines and 2 years in jail.

‍What is BOI Reporting?

Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting is FinCEN’s latest attempt to shine a spotlight on shady practices like money laundering and fraud. This requirement mandates small businesses to disclose who holds significant control or ownership interests in the company. Of course, if you’re doing something shady you’re probably not reporting anyway, but FinCEN says you’re supposed to.

Who Needs to Report?

If you’ve got a domestic entity created by filing with a secretary of state or a foreign entity registered to do business in the U.S., congratulations! You’re in the BOI reporting club. This includes corporations, LLCs, and similar entities. There are some exemptions, though—so be sure to check FinCEN’s specific guidelines unless you enjoy playing regulatory roulette.

What Information Needs to Be Reported?

To keep things crystal clear, businesses must provide the following details about each beneficial owner:

Full legal name (not the nickname your friends call you)
Date of birth (you can’t just claim to be “forever young”)
Current residential or business street address (no P.O. boxes allowed—sorry, no mail forwarding to a tropical island)
Unique identifying number from an acceptable ID (like a passport or driver’s license) or a FinCEN identifier

Steps to Comply with BOI Reporting Requirements

‍Identify Beneficial Owners: Determine who in your organization qualifies as a beneficial owner. This includes anyone who directly or indirectly owns or controls at least 25% of the ownership interests or has substantial control over the entity. Think of them as the VIPs of your business.‍
Collect Required Information: Gather the necessary details for each beneficial owner as outlined above. Pro tip: It’s easier to collect this info now than to try and piece it together later.‍
Submit Information to FinCEN: Follow FinCEN’s guidelines for submitting this information through their online filing system at FinCEN BOI Reporting. Just remember to hit that “submit” button.

‍Reporting Deadlines

Entities created or registered before January 1, 2024, have until January 1, 2025, to file their initial BOI reports. So, you’ve got a little time, but don’t wait until the last minute.
Entities created or registered on or after January 1, 2024, have 90 days from creation or registration to file. Almost no one knows about this requirement, so if you started your company this year you’re probably already late. Don’t make it worse by continuing to wait.
After the initial report, any changes to the reported information must be updated within 30 days.
If you start a company in 2025, you will have only 30 days to file.

‍Penalties for Non-Compliance

Let’s not sugarcoat it: If you willfully violate the BOI reporting requirements, you could face civil penalties of up to $500 for each day the violation continues. Plus, there are potential criminal penalties, including fines up to $10,000 and imprisonment for up to two years. We prefer our clients stay out of jail, so best to stay compliant.

‍Where to Find More Information

FinCEN has resources to help businesses understand and comply with BOI reporting requirements. Checkout https://fincen.gov/boi for official guidance, FAQs, and filing instructions.

‍Why Eucalyptus is Not Providing BOI Reporting Services

While we’re dedicated to supporting your business in many areas, we’ve chosen not to offer BOI reporting services for a few key reasons:

Specialized Nature: BOI reporting requires attestations we would need to make on your behalf that cross into practicing law—something accounting firms like ours don’t do.
‍Focus on Core Services: We want to ensure we continue providing top-notch service in our core areas of expertise: financial planning, accounting, bookkeeping, and tax preparation. We can’t be all things to all people.
‍Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring full compliance with BOI reporting involves intricate and evolving regulations that necessitate a dedicated focus we can’t currently offer. Better to leave regulatory compliance to regulatory experts.

We don’t want to leave you in the lurch, though. There are companies out there who can help you with BOI reporting. LegalZoom, Corpnet, and FileForms are just a few we’re aware of, but you should do your own research.

‍Final Thoughts

We understand that regulatory changes can be challenging for businesses. While we can't assist directly with BOI reporting, we’re committed to supporting your business in our core areas of expertise: financial planning, accounting, bookkeeping, and tax preparation.

Your success is our top priority, and we’re here to help you navigate the financial aspects of your business with confidence. Our team is laser-focused on delivering the highest quality accounting and bookkeeping services to support your growth and financial health.

If you have any questions about our services or need assistance with other financial matters within our scope of practice, please reach out to us at info@goeucalyptus.co. We look forward to continuing to serve as your trusted financial partner!

Why Eucalyptus Stands Apart

Expertise You Can Trust. At Eucalyptus, we don’t outsource your work overseas or rely on entry-level staff. Every member of our accounting team is a U.S.-based senior professional with years of experience. That means we bring deep expertise to your books, taxes, and financial strategy.
Stability You Can Count On. Eucalyptus isn’t a venture-backed experiment. We’re a customer-first accounting firm that prioritizes relationships over rapid growth. Our remote-first model and commitment to hiring top-tier talent ensure that we’re always here when you need us.
Customized Service for Small Businesses. We understand that no two small businesses are alike. Our tailored approach meets you where you are, whether you need daily bookkeeping, tax planning, or CFO-level insights. This flexibility has earned us glowing reviews from former Bench clients who appreciate our high-touch service.

What Former Bench Customers Say About Eucalyptus

Bench customers who transitioned to Eucalyptus have shared how relieved they are to work with a team that genuinely cares about their business.

Nicole S., one of our clients who came to Eucalyptus from Bench, said: "The accuracy of the books and how I run my business is exponentially better." She, like many others, has praised our proactive communication, always accurate and timely reporting, and ability to demystify complex financial topics.

One common theme: peace of mind. Knowing that a seasoned professional is handling your books allows you to focus on running your business, especially during tax season.

Is Kick the Right Move? Consider the Risks.

Bench’s closure is a stark reminder of how fragile tech startups can be. Kick, the firm Bench recommends, may seem like an easy transition, but for small business owners who can’t afford another disruption, it’s worth asking: What safeguards are in place to ensure Kick won’t meet the same fate?

At Eucalyptus, we offer more than technology. We offer a human connection. Our clients don’t just get a dashboard—they get a dedicated expert who knows their business and is committed to helping it succeed. That’s why Eucalyptus is the smart, stable choice.

How to Get Started with Eucalyptus

Our onboarding process ensures a seamless handoff of your financial records, so there’s no gap in service. And with tax season fast approaching, our team is ready to help you prepare for the year ahead.

Here's how it works:

Get Started with a Free Financial Diagnostic. We’ll review your current books, tax returns, and financial processes to identify areas of improvement.
Create and Personalized Plan. We craft a strategy tailored to your business goals, whether it’s growth, retirement planning, or managing cash flow.
Provide Ongoing Support. From day-to-day bookkeeping to long-term planning, we provide the support you need to stay on track and succeed.

Visit our Bench Customer Page to take the first step toward financial peace of mind.

Key Benefits of Choosing Eucalyptus:

Clarity & Confidence. Say goodbye to financial uncertainty with accurate books updated daily so you always know how your business is performing.
Personalized Plans. Every business is unique. We create custom strategies for your specific goals.
Proactive Support. No more surprises. We anticipate challenges and bring actionable solutions before they become problems.

Never get caught off guard again. Choose Eucalyptus: the partner you can trust today, tomorrow, and for years to come.

Update: FinCEN Reporting Requirements Reinstated

Companies created or registered before January 1, 2024 now have until January 13, 2025 to file their initial reports. Companies established between September and December 2024 have varying extended deadlines, with most falling on or before January 13, 2025. Going forward, new companies created after January 1, 2025, will need to file within 30 days of their registration. Additional details available on FinCEN's website here: https://fincen.gov/boi.

Here is the original text of this blog post:

If you’ve been preparing for the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act, there’s a new development you should know about. On December 3, 2024, a Texas federal court has issued a nationwide injunction that halts the enforcement of these rules, originally set to begin January 1, 2024.

This injunction provides a temporary reprieve for small business owners who were gearing up to comply with these new obligations. However, it’s important to stay vigilant. This pause in enforcement doesn’t necessarily mean the BOI reporting requirements are gone for good—the situation is still evolving.

What is BOI Reporting?

BOI reporting, as we explained in our previous post, "BOI Reporting: What Small Business Owners Need to Know", requires businesses to disclose key information about their beneficial owners to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). These rules aim to increase corporate transparency but also pose new compliance challenges for small businesses.

For more context on the legal decision, see this article from the National Law Review.

Key Updates on the Injunction

For now, here are some key takeaways about the injunction:

Pause Compliance Efforts: While the injunction is in place, enforcement of BOI reporting is on hold. There’s no immediate need to submit filings.
Stay Updated: Keep an eye on legal developments and updates from FinCEN.
Be Prepared: Use this time to gather information and ensure your business is ready to comply if the injunction is lifted.

Why This Matters to Small Business Owners

The BOI reporting requirements—and this injunction—could significantly impact how you manage your business’s compliance processes. While this pause provides some breathing room, it’s essential to remain proactive.

Next Steps for Small Businesses

Review the Basics: Familiarize yourself with BOI reporting requirements using our previous blog post.
Monitor Developments: Follow updates from trusted sources like FinCEN and legal experts.
Prepare for the Future: Use this time to organize beneficial ownership information and streamline internal processes for potential compliance needs.

At Eucalyptus, we’re committed to helping small business owners navigate complex regulatory changes like this. If you have questions or want to discuss how this impacts your business, reach out to us today.

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