Blog

We keep you up to date on the latest tax changes and news in the industry.

BREAKING NEWS: Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Suspended

Article Highlights:

  • Injunction Halts Enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA)

  • What Happened?

  • What Does This Mean to You?

  • What’s Next?

On December 3, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued a game-changing nationwide injunction that temporarily halts enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and its Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting requirements. Here’s what this means for you and the compliance landscape in the weeks ahead.

What Happened? - In the case Texas Top Cop Shop, Inc. v. Garland, the court found the CTA likely unconstitutional. Its key reasoning? Congress overstepped its legislative powers by enacting a law that mandates broad disclosures from companies across the United States. The court criticized the CTA as a dangerous overreach, likening its requirements to "quasi-Orwellian" federal oversight.

For context, the CTA required millions of U.S. companies to report sensitive data about the companies’ owners to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) by January 1, 2025, with non-compliance subject to civil and criminal penalties. The purpose of the reporting requirement is to help the government identify individuals engaged in money laundering and other illegal activities.

The court ruled that the BOI filing obligations are not justified under the Constitution’s Commerce Clause or Necessary and Proper Clause, staying all enforcement actions nationwide.

What Does This Mean to You?

For now, businesses that would otherwise have had an obligation to file a BOI report are not required to meet the January 1, 2025, reporting deadline. This includes:

  • Existing entities previously obligated to file BOI reports.

  • Newly formed companies created or registered in 2024.

Additionally, penalties for non-compliance under the CTA are on hold. This reprieve may relieve immediate compliance burdens, especially for small and medium-sized businesses already grappling with increased regulatory complexities.

What’s Next?

The federal government is widely expected to appeal this decision, with the U.S. Department of Justice potentially taking the case to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals or even the Supreme Court. While the injunction is in place, compliance requirements remain suspended. However, if the injunction is overturned, enforcement could resume abruptly.

Here’s what you can do to be prepared:

  1. Stay Informed: Whether the DOJ files an appeal or if further clarification is issued by FinCEN.

  2. Recordkeeping: While filing is paused, it’s wise for businesses to maintain accurate ownership records in case compliance resumes, particularly those preparing for mergers, acquisitions, or new entity formations, which might intersect with BOI reporting.

If you have questions about this development or would like to complete the reporting requirement regardless of the injunction, please contact this office.

Share this article...

Sign up for our newsletter.

Each month, we will send you a roundup of our latest blog content covering the tax and accounting tips & insights you need to know.

I confirm this is a service inquiry and not an advertising message or solicitation. By clicking “Submit”, I acknowledge and agree to the creation of an account and to the and .

We care about the protection of your data.

Copyright © 2025 THE TAX CUTTERY® - "THE TAX CUTTERY®" IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK - All Rights Reserved.

Securities offered through PFS Investments Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. Investment advisory services may be offered through PFS Investments Inc. or, where applicable, through a separately registered investment adviser. Paul D. Diaz is an IRS Enrolled Agent & IRS Certifying Acceptance Agent and provides ITIN/W-7, tax preparation, tax resolution, and tax advisory services through THE TAX CUTTERY®, an independent firm. Tax services are not offered through PFS Investments Inc. or its affiliates and are solely the responsibility of THE TAX CUTTERY®. This message is not intended as an offer or solicitation in any jurisdiction where such offer or solicitation would be unauthorized. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Paul D. Diaz, EA, MBA, has unlimited representation rights before the Internal Revenue Service.