1.3 What happens if my company does not report BOI in the required timeframe?

FinCEN is issuing this Guide and other guidance, as well as conducting outreach, to ensure that all reporting companies are aware of their reporting obligations, including their obligations to update or correct beneficial ownership information. If a person has reason to believe that a report filed with FinCEN contains inaccurate information and voluntarily submits a report correcting the information within 90 days of the deadline for the original report, then the Corporate Transparency Act creates a safe harbor from penalty. However, should a person willfully fail to report complete or updated beneficial ownership information to FinCEN as required under the Reporting Rule, FinCEN will determine the appropriate enforcement response in consideration of its published enforcement factors.

The willful failure to report complete or updated beneficial ownership information to FinCEN, or the willful provision of or attempt to provide false or fraudulent beneficial ownership information may result in a civil or criminal penalties, including civil penalties of up to $500 for each day that the violation continues, or criminal penalties including imprisonment for up to two years and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Senior officers of an entity that fails to file a required BOI report may be held accountable for that failure.

Providing false or fraudulent beneficial ownership information could include providing false identifying information about an individual identified in a BOI report, such as by providing a copy of a fraudulent identifying document.

Additionally, a person may be subject to civil and/or criminal penalties for willfully causing a company not to file a required BOI report or to report incomplete or false beneficial ownership information to FinCEN.

For example, an individual who qualifies as a beneficial owner or a company applicant might refuse to provide information, knowing that a company would not be able to provide complete beneficial ownership information to FinCEN without it. Also, an individual might provide false information to a company, knowing that information is meant to be reported to FinCEN.