Guide
FinCEN BOI Filing Guide
FinCEN's BOI e-filing system at fincen.gov/boi processes Beneficial Ownership Information reports. Free filing. Required by the Corporate Transparency Act.
FinCEN's BOI e-filing system at fincen.gov/boi is the only authorized platform for filing Beneficial Ownership Information reports, and filing is free. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network operates the system. The Corporate Transparency Act requires most US LLCs and corporations to report the people who own or control them. A foreign-owned US LLC files a BOI report using a passport. Your EIN appears on the report as the company tax ID, so get the EIN first.
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) took effect on January 1, 2024. It created a federal database of company ownership managed by FinCEN, a bureau of the US Department of the Treasury. The law targets shell companies used for money laundering and fraud. For legitimate business owners, including non-US residents who form a US LLC, the BOI report is a short federal filing. This guide explains the FinCEN system, who must file, what data the report needs, the deadlines, the penalties, and how foreign owners complete the report. Your EIN is part of the report, so non-residents start by getting an EIN through ein.so for $49.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Filing portal | fincen.gov/boi |
| Operated by | Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) |
| Government agency | US Department of the Treasury |
| Government fee | $0 |
| Legal authority | Corporate Transparency Act |
| Report name | Beneficial Ownership Information Report (BOIR) |
| Applies to | Most US LLCs and corporations |
| Foreign owner ID | Passport number and image |
The System
What Is the FinCEN BOI E-Filing System?
The FinCEN BOI e-filing system is the federal portal at fincen.gov/boi that accepts Beneficial Ownership Information reports for free. FinCEN built it under the Corporate Transparency Act. It runs as a secure web application inside the US Department of the Treasury.
The system offers two filing paths. You complete the report inside the browser using the online BOIR form, or you download a PDF version, fill it, and upload it. Both paths reach the same FinCEN database. Neither path charges a fee.
| Filing Method | How It Works | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Online BOIR | Complete the report in the browser and submit | $0 |
| PDF upload | Download the PDF, fill it, upload to FinCEN | $0 |
| Third-party service | A company files on your behalf | Varies by provider |
How to Access the FinCEN BOI System
- Open fincen.gov/boi in a browser
- Select "File BOIR" to start a new report
- Choose the online form or the PDF upload method
- Enter company information and beneficial owner details
- Submit the report and download the confirmation receipt
The system needs no login account to file. You enter your data, submit, and receive a transcript and a confirmation number. Save both as proof. FinCEN does not mail a paper confirmation.
Who Files
Who Must File a BOI Report with FinCEN?
Most US LLCs and corporations must file a BOI report with FinCEN. A reporting company is any entity created by filing a document with a US state, plus any foreign entity registered to do business in a US state. The CTA lists 23 exemption categories, mostly for large or regulated companies.
A single-member US LLC owned by a non-US resident is a reporting company. The foreign owner reports as a beneficial owner. This duty is separate from the annual Form 5472 filing that foreign-owned single-member LLCs also face.
Domestic Reporting Companies
Foreign Reporting Companies
Exempt Entities
Foreign-Owned Single-Member LLCs
The Corporate Transparency Act has faced legal challenges. Enforcement scope and the treatment of domestic versus foreign companies has shifted. ein.so does not provide tax or legal advice. Confirm your current filing obligation with a CPA before relying on any exemption.
What to Report
What Information Does a FinCEN BOI Report Require?
A FinCEN BOI report requires two data sets: company information and beneficial owner information. The company reports its legal name, address, formation state, and EIN. Each beneficial owner reports their full legal name, date of birth, residential address, and a government ID with an image.
Non-US residents use a passport for the ID requirement. You enter the passport number and upload a clear image of the passport page. This mirrors how a passport replaces the SSN on Form SS-4 Line 7b for the EIN application.
| Report Section | Required Data |
|---|---|
| Company legal name | The exact LLC name on your formation documents |
| Company address | Principal US business address |
| Formation jurisdiction | State where the LLC was formed |
| Company tax ID | Your EIN |
| Beneficial owner name | Full legal name as on the passport |
| Date of birth | Owner's date of birth |
| Residential address | Owner's home address, including non-US addresses |
| Identification | Passport number plus a clear image of the document |
Company Applicant Reporting
Entities formed on or after January 1, 2024, also report a company applicant. The company applicant is the individual who filed the formation document and, if different, the person who directed that filing. Entities formed before January 1, 2024, do not report a company applicant. They report only the company and its beneficial owners.
Your EIN is part of this report. Get the EIN first through ein.so, then complete the BOI report. See the EIN cost and EIN processing time pages for timing.
How to File
How Does a Foreign Owner File a BOI Report at fincen.gov/boi?
A foreign owner files a BOI report at fincen.gov/boi by entering company details, then reporting themselves as the beneficial owner with a passport number and image. No US ID is needed. The filing is free and takes about 20 minutes with documents ready.
Get Your EIN First
Gather Your Documents
Open the FinCEN Portal
Enter Company and Owner Data
Submit and Save Your Receipt
A non-resident owner enters a non-US residential address. The system accepts foreign addresses for beneficial owners. This differs from the EIN application, where international address formatting on Form SS-4 causes silent IRS rejections. See how to get an EIN and EIN without SSN for the EIN side of the process.
Deadlines
When Is the FinCEN BOI Report Due?
The BOI report deadline depends on when the company was formed. Companies formed during 2024 had 90 days from formation to file. Companies formed on or after January 1, 2025, have 30 days from formation. Companies formed before 2024 fell under a separate one-time deadline.
| Company Formation Date | Filing Deadline |
|---|---|
| Before January 1, 2024 | One-time deadline set during the CTA rollout |
| During calendar year 2024 | 90 days from formation |
| On or after January 1, 2025 | 30 days from formation |
| Any ownership or info change | 30 days from the change |
Updated Reports
A BOI report is not a one-time filing forever. You file an updated report within 30 days of any change to reported information. A new beneficial owner, a changed address, a new passport, or a renamed company each triggers a 30-day update window. There is no fee for an updated report.
Corporate Transparency Act deadlines and enforcement have changed several times through court rulings and agency guidance. The dates above reflect the rollout structure. Confirm the deadline that applies to your specific entity with a CPA before filing. See the BOI filing overview for related details.
Penalties
What Are the Penalties for Not Filing a BOI Report?
Willful failure to file a BOI report carries a $500 per day civil penalty, up to $10,000 in total fines, and up to 2 years of imprisonment. These penalties target willful violations, not honest filing mistakes that get corrected. Penalty enforcement of the CTA has shifted; confirm current rules with a CPA.
Daily Civil Penalty
Maximum Fine
Criminal Penalty
Safe Harbor for Corrections
Penalty enforcement against domestic versus foreign companies has changed through 2025 agency guidance and litigation. ein.so does not provide legal advice. A non-resident owner should confirm both the filing duty and the penalty exposure for a foreign-owned US LLC with a US CPA who handles non-resident matters.
BOI vs Other Filings
How Does BOI Filing Differ From the EIN and Form 5472?
BOI filing differs from the EIN application and Form 5472 in agency, purpose, and frequency. The EIN comes from the IRS through Form SS-4. Form 5472 is an annual IRS tax filing. The BOI report goes to FinCEN and reports ownership. A foreign-owned US LLC deals with all three.
| Filing | Agency | Purpose | Cost | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EIN (Form SS-4) | IRS | Get a federal tax ID | $0 to IRS; $49 via ein.so | One time |
| BOI Report | FinCEN | Report company ownership | $0 at fincen.gov/boi | On formation, then on changes |
| Form 5472 + 1120 | IRS | Report foreign-owner transactions | $0 to IRS | Annual |
The EIN comes first. Without an EIN, you cannot complete the company tax ID field on the BOI report or file Form 5472. ein.so files Form SS-4 by fax to the IRS at 855-215-1627. Standard processing costs $49 and takes 4-7 business days. Express costs $97 and takes 2-3 business days.
The BOI report is free and you handle it yourself at fincen.gov/boi. Form 5472 carries a $25,000 penalty for non-filing and is due each year. See the Form 5472 guide for that obligation. A foreign owner who also needs a US tax ID for personal filings may need an ITIN, which ein.so files for $197 Standard or $297 Express.
EIN First
Why Do You Need an EIN Before Filing BOI?
You need an EIN before filing BOI because the report asks for your company's tax identification number, which is the EIN for a US LLC. Without an EIN, the company tax ID field stays incomplete. Get the EIN first, then file the free BOI report.
Non-US residents face an extra step. The IRS online EIN tool requires an SSN, so it blocks applicants without one. Non-residents apply by fax instead, entering a passport number on Form SS-4 Line 7b. ein.so handles this fax process end to end.
Apply for Your EIN
Open a US Bank Account
File Your BOI Report
Stay Compliant Annually
ein.so handles the EIN application only and does not provide BOI filing or tax advice. The EIN is your starting point for US compliance. Review EIN without SSN, EIN for non-residents, and the EIN cost breakdown to plan your filings.
Next Steps
After You Understand FinCEN BOI Filing
- Apply for your EIN — ein.so files Form SS-4 for $49 Standard (4-7 days) or $97 Express (2-3 days)
- Open a US bank account — Mercury and Relay accept non-resident LLC owners
- File your BOI report — free at fincen.gov/boi after your EIN is issued
- File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned single-member LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)
- Review BOI filing rules — confirm deadlines and exemptions with a CPA
Learn more: How to get an EIN | EIN without SSN | EIN for non-residents | SS-4 form guide | EIN processing time | EIN cost
Frequently Asked Questions
What is FinCEN BOI filing?
FinCEN BOI filing is the submission of a Beneficial Ownership Information report to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network at fincen.gov/boi. The report names the individuals who own or control a US company. The Corporate Transparency Act created this requirement. Filing directly with FinCEN costs $0.
Is BOI filing free at fincen.gov/boi?
Yes. Filing a BOI report directly with FinCEN at fincen.gov/boi costs $0. FinCEN charges no government fee. The system requires no account to file. Third-party services charge their own fees for convenience, but the federal filing itself is free. ein.so does not provide BOI filing.
Who must file a BOI report with FinCEN?
Most US LLCs and corporations must file a BOI report. Reporting companies include domestic entities created by a state filing and foreign entities registered to do business in a US state. The Corporate Transparency Act lists 23 exemption categories, mostly for large or already-regulated companies. Confirm your status with a CPA.
Does a foreign-owned US LLC need to file BOI?
Yes. A foreign-owned single-member US LLC is a reporting company under the Corporate Transparency Act. The foreign owner reports as a beneficial owner using a passport. Foreign owners without a US ID upload a passport image and enter the passport number. This is separate from the annual Form 5472 filing.
What information does a FinCEN BOI report require?
A BOI report requires company details and beneficial owner details. The company reports its legal name, address, state of formation, and EIN. Each beneficial owner reports full legal name, date of birth, residential address, and an ID number from a passport or driver's license, plus an image of that document.
Who counts as a beneficial owner under the CTA?
A beneficial owner is any individual who owns 25% or more of a reporting company or exercises substantial control. Substantial control covers senior officers like the CEO and CFO and managing members who direct company decisions. A single company can report multiple beneficial owners. Each one files their own information.
What is the penalty for not filing a BOI report?
Willful failure to file a BOI report carries a $500 per day civil penalty, up to $10,000 in total fines, and up to 2 years of imprisonment. These penalties apply to willful violations, not honest mistakes. Penalty enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act has shifted; confirm current rules with a CPA.
Do I need an EIN before filing my BOI report?
Yes, in most cases. The BOI report asks for your company's tax identification number, which is the EIN for a US LLC. Get your EIN first, then file the BOI report. ein.so files Form SS-4 for non-US residents for $49 Standard (4-7 business days) or $97 Express (2-3 business days).
Where do I file a BOI report?
File a BOI report at fincen.gov/boi. This is the only authorized federal filing platform. BOI is a federal filing, not a state filing. You can file online through the web form or upload a PDF. Save your confirmation receipt after submission as proof of filing.
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