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BOI Filing Complete Guide Guide
Everything about Beneficial Ownership Information filing in one place. Who reports, FinCEN deadlines, penalties, and how BOI connects to your EIN and Form 5472.
A BOI report is a Beneficial Ownership Information filing submitted to FinCEN under the Corporate Transparency Act. Most US LLCs and corporations name their owners. Filing is free at fincen.gov/boi. ein.so does not file BOI reports. ein.so files IRS Form SS-4 to get your EIN, the tax ID your reporting company uses on the BOI report. Standard EIN filing costs $49 (4-7 business days). Express costs $97 (2-3 business days). The IRS charges $0 for the EIN itself.
Beneficial Ownership Information reporting started under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). The rule requires reporting companies to tell the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) who really owns and controls them. The goal is to reduce shell-company misuse. Most US LLCs and corporations are reporting companies. The filing is free and takes about 20 minutes online. This guide explains who files, what the report contains, the penalties, and how BOI connects to your EIN and your annual Form 5472. BOI rules changed several times during 2025 and 2026, so confirm your current obligation with a CPA before you act.
| Factor | BOI Report | EIN (Form SS-4) | Form 5472 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filed with | FinCEN | IRS | IRS |
| Purpose | Disclose owners | Get a tax ID | Report owner transactions |
| Cost | $0 (FinCEN) | $0 (IRS) / $49 ein.so | $0 (self-file) |
| Frequency | Once, then on changes | Once per entity | Every year |
| Non-filing penalty | Up to $591/day | None (it is free) | $25,000 |
| SSN required | No | No | No |
Who Files
Who Must File a BOI Report With FinCEN?
Most US LLCs and corporations must file a BOI report unless they meet an exemption. A reporting company is any entity created by filing a document with a US state. The report names each beneficial owner who controls 25% or more of the company or exercises substantial control. Confirm your status with a CPA, because the rule changed during 2025-2026.
A beneficial owner is an individual who either owns or controls at least 25% of the reporting company or exercises substantial control over it. A single non-resident who forms a one-person LLC is the sole beneficial owner of that LLC. FinCEN lists 23 exemptions, mostly for already-regulated entities like banks, public companies, and large operating companies.
Foreign-Owned Single-Member LLCs
Multi-Member LLCs
US Corporations
Large Operating Companies (Exempt)
What's Inside
What Information Does a BOI Report Require?
A BOI report requires the company's legal name, EIN, and US address, plus each beneficial owner's full name, date of birth, residential address, and a government-issued ID image. A non-resident owner uses a foreign passport as the ID. The whole report takes about 20 minutes to complete online.
You gather two sets of data: company details and owner details. The company section uses your EIN as the tax identification number, which is why owners get the EIN first. The owner section accepts a foreign passport for non-residents, so no SSN is needed.
| BOI Field | What You Enter |
|---|---|
| Company legal name | Your US LLC or corporation name |
| Company tax ID | Your EIN (XX-XXXXXXX) |
| Company address | Your US business or registered agent address |
| Owner full name | Your name as shown on your passport |
| Owner date of birth | Your DOB |
| Owner residential address | Your home address (foreign address allowed) |
| Owner ID document | Passport image (foreign passport accepted) |
Because the BOI report asks for the EIN, applicants who lack one stall here. ein.so files Form SS-4 for non-residents and delivers the EIN by email, so you can complete the company section of the BOI report. See EIN without SSN for the no-SSN path.
Deadlines
When Is the BOI Report Due?
BOI deadlines depend on when the company was formed and the FinCEN rule in force, which changed during 2025 and 2026. New companies historically had a short window after formation, and existing companies had a longer initial window. Confirm your exact deadline at fincen.gov/boi or with a CPA before relying on any date.
The Corporate Transparency Act faced court challenges and rule revisions through 2025 and into 2026. FinCEN paused, resumed, and adjusted enforcement during this period. Some categories of companies were temporarily relieved of filing. Because the situation moved fast, this guide does not state a fixed calendar date.
Verify your current BOI deadline
- Check fincen.gov/boi for the rule in force today.
- Confirm whether your entity type currently has a filing duty.
- Ask a US CPA about your specific deadline and exemption status.
- File updates within the required window after any ownership change.
After your first BOI report, you must file an updated report when beneficial ownership or owner information changes. A change of address, a new passport, or a new 25% owner triggers an update. ein.so does not track BOI deadlines; we file your EIN so your reporting company has a tax ID. Review BOI filing rules for the current process.
Penalties
What Are the Penalties for Missing a BOI Filing?
Civil penalties for willful BOI violations reach $591 per day (inflation-adjusted), and criminal penalties include fines up to $10,000 and up to 2 years in prison. FinCEN adjusts the daily civil figure each year. This BOI penalty is entirely separate from the $25,000 Form 5472 penalty for foreign-owned LLCs.
The CTA penalizes willful failures to report and willfully false information. A negligent or corrected error is treated differently from deliberate non-compliance. Foreign-owned LLC owners face two penalty regimes at once, so both deserve attention.
BOI Civil Penalty
BOI Criminal Penalty
Form 5472 Penalty
EIN: No Penalty
Consult a US CPA to confirm which penalties apply to your structure. ein.so provides EIN filing only and does not give tax or legal advice.
EIN First
How Does the BOI Report Connect to Your EIN?
The BOI report asks for your company's tax identification number, and your EIN is that number. Owners get the EIN first, then complete the company section of the BOI report. Non-residents obtain the EIN by faxing Form SS-4 to 855-215-1627, with no SSN or ITIN required.
The sequence for a non-resident owner is straightforward. You form the LLC, get the EIN, open banking, file BOI, then file Form 5472 each year. The EIN sits at the center because banks, FinCEN, and the IRS all reference it.
Form Your US LLC
Get Your EIN
File the BOI Report
File Form 5472 Annually
The EIN is the foundation. Without it, you cannot open a US bank account or cleanly complete the BOI company section. ein.so files the SS-4 form and delivers the EIN by email so you can move forward.
EIN Methods
How Do Non-Residents Get the EIN Needed for BOI Filing?
Non-residents get the EIN by faxing IRS Form SS-4 to 855-215-1627 with a passport number on Line 7b. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so non-residents use fax, phone, or mail. The IRS issues most correctly filed EINs within 4-7 business days. The EIN is free from the IRS.
Four methods exist, but only some work for non-residents without an SSN. The table compares speed and access. ein.so uses the fax method and handles the form preparation that causes most rejections.
| Method | Who Can Use It | Speed | IRS Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online tool | SSN holders only | Instant | $0 |
| Fax (855-215-1627) | Non-residents, no SSN | 4-7 business days | $0 |
| Phone | International applicants | Same day (US hours) | $0 |
| Non-residents, no SSN | 4-6 weeks | $0 | |
| ein.so (fax, done-for-you) | Non-residents | 4-7 days / 2-3 express | $49 / $97 |
For a non-resident, the practical choice is fax. Phone requires calling during US business hours from abroad. Mail takes 4-6 weeks. ein.so files by fax and reformats foreign addresses that the IRS otherwise rejects. See EIN for non-residents and EIN processing time for full timing detail.
Next Steps
After You Understand BOI Filing
- Get your EIN — the tax ID your BOI report and bank account require
- File your BOI report — free at fincen.gov/boi, about 20 minutes
- Open a US bank account — Mercury, Relay, and Wise accept non-resident owners
- File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)
- Confirm tax specifics with a CPA — BOI and CTA rules changed during 2025-2026
Related guides: EIN without SSN | SS-4 form guide | EIN cost | EIN processing time | EIN for non-residents. ein.so files Form SS-4 EINs only and does not provide tax or legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a BOI report and who files it with FinCEN?
A BOI report is a Beneficial Ownership Information filing submitted to FinCEN under the Corporate Transparency Act. Most US LLCs and corporations file it. The report names each beneficial owner who controls 25% or more of the company or exercises substantial control. Filing is free at fincen.gov/boi. ein.so does not file BOI reports; we file Form SS-4 EINs for non-residents.
Does a foreign-owned single-member LLC have to file a BOI report?
Yes. A foreign-owned single-member US LLC is a reporting company under the Corporate Transparency Act unless an exemption applies. The non-resident owner is listed as the beneficial owner. The report requires the owner's name, date of birth, address, and a passport image. Confirm your specific obligation with a CPA, because BOI rules have changed during 2025 and 2026.
What is the penalty for not filing a BOI report?
Civil penalties for willful BOI violations reach $591 per day (inflation-adjusted), and criminal penalties include fines up to $10,000 and up to 2 years in prison. The exact daily figure is adjusted annually by FinCEN. This BOI penalty is separate from the $25,000 Form 5472 penalty that applies to foreign-owned LLCs.
Do I need an EIN before I file my BOI report?
You do not strictly need an EIN to file BOI, but the report asks for a tax identification number, and your EIN is the cleanest answer. Most owners get the EIN first, then file BOI. ein.so files your Form SS-4 EIN for non-residents in 4-7 business days ($49) or 2-3 business days ($97).
How is a BOI report different from Form 5472?
A BOI report goes to FinCEN and names the people who own and control the company. Form 5472 goes to the IRS with a pro-forma Form 1120 and reports transactions between a foreign-owned LLC and its owner. BOI is an ownership disclosure. Form 5472 is a tax information return. The Form 5472 penalty is $25,000 for non-filing.
How do I get an EIN as a non-resident for my reporting company?
Non-residents apply for an EIN by faxing IRS Form SS-4 to 855-215-1627 using a passport number on Line 7b. No SSN or ITIN is required. The IRS online tool requires an SSN, so the fax route is the path. ein.so prepares the SS-4, faxes it, and emails your EIN for $49 Standard or $97 Express.
How much does a BOI report cost to file?
The BOI report is free. FinCEN charges $0 to file at fincen.gov/boi. You file it yourself online in roughly 20 minutes. Be cautious of third-party sites charging high fees for a free government filing. ein.so charges $49 for EIN filing assistance, a separate service, not for BOI.
Can I file BOI without a Social Security number?
Yes. A non-resident beneficial owner files BOI using a foreign passport as the acceptable identification document. The CTA does not require an SSN for a foreign individual. You upload a clear passport image and enter your foreign address. Your US EIN serves as the company tax identification number on the report.
How long does BOI filing take and when is it due?
The online BOI filing takes about 20 minutes once you have owner details and a passport image ready. Deadlines depend on when the company was formed and the current FinCEN rule, which changed during 2025-2026. Confirm your current deadline at fincen.gov/boi or with a CPA before relying on any date.
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