beneficial ownership | Fraser Blog

Five Stories That Matter in Michigan This Week – March 28, 2025

FinCEN Update: U.S. Companies No Longer Needed to Report

On Friday, March 21, 2025, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued an interim final rule regarding the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), revising the definition of “reporting company” such that entities formed under the laws of any U.S. State or Tribal jurisdiction likely will not have to file a beneficial owner information report (BOIR).

Why it Matters: Through this interim final rule, all entities created in the United States, including those previously known as “domestic reporting companies,” and their beneficial owners will be exempt from the requirement to report BOI to FinCEN. Read more.

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U.S. Court of Appeals Rules on AI-Generated Copyright Eligibility

On March 18, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued a decision for Thaler v. Perlmutter, which addressed whether a work created autonomously by artificial intelligence (AI) is eligible for copyright protection.

Why it Matters: This case reaffirms the prevailing legal principle that copyright protection is reserved for works created by humans. As AI continues to evolve, questions about the extent of human involvement necessary for copyright eligibility remain open for future consideration. Indeed, the question will be directly addressed in the upcoming case in Allen v. Perlmutter in the District Court of Colorado. Read more.

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Michigan CRA Publishes February ’25 Data: Average Price Decreases

Per data released by the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA), the average retail price for adult-use sale of an ounce of cannabis in February 2025 was $65.21, a decrease from $66.50 in January 2025. This is a decrease from February 2024, where the average price was $91.94.

Why it Matters: While the prices of cannabis and cannabis-related products continue to decrease and make consumers happy, growers on the other hand are seeing profits decrease resulting in them seeking ways to halt new licenses to be granted in an effort to steady prices.

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Business Education Series: Anatomy of a Data Breach

Data breaches can wreak havoc on your company and almost always lead to litigation. With each new breach, we gain valuable insight into what companies could have done better. Your legal, contractual, and business obligations can sometimes be confusing and in conflict with each other.

Why it Matters: During the April Business Education Series facilitated by Nate Steed and Kelly R. Hollingsworth, this session will examine recent cases and best practices to protect your company from a breach including: lessons learned from recent data breaches; proactive strategies to insulate your business. Learn more.

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Elizabeth M. Siefker Selected as a Member of Michigan Lawyers Weekly “Up & Coming Lawyers Class of 2025”

Fraser Trebilcock attorney Elizabeth M. Siefker has been selected as a member of Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s “Up & Coming Lawyers Class of 2025.” This special award recognizes those who have excelled in the profession and are standouts among their peers — all in their first 10 years of practice.

Why it Matters: Ms. Siefker focuses her practice on estate planning, elder law, guardianships and conservatorships, probate litigation, and tax planning. With experience assisting clients in every aspect of the estate planning process, she understands that each plan will be unique to the client’s situation. Ms. Siefker is included in Super Lawyers^® as a “Michigan Rising Star” in Estate & Probate, and received the American Jurisprudence Award for civil procedure, contracts, first amendment, and torts. She is an active member of several legal organizations, having previously served on the Board of Directors of the Women Lawyers Association of Mid-Michigan as the Regional Representative. Read more.

Related Practice Groups and Professionals

Business & Tax | Robert D. Burgee
Intellectual Property | Andrew Martin
Cannabis Law | Sean Gallagher
Elizabeth Siefker

FinCEN Update: U.S. Companies No Longer Needed to Report

Consistent with the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s March 2, 2025 announcement, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is issuing an interim final rule that removes the requirement for U.S. companies and U.S. persons to report beneficial ownership information (BOI) to FinCEN under the Corporate Transparency Act.

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Thus, through this interim final rule, all entities created in the United States — including those previously known as “domestic reporting companies” — and their beneficial owners will be exempt from the requirement to report BOI to FinCEN. Foreign entities that meet the new definition of a “reporting company” and do not qualify for an exemption from the reporting requirements must report their BOI to FinCEN under new deadlines, detailed below. These foreign entities, however, will not be required to report any U.S. persons as beneficial owners, and U.S. persons will not be required to report BOI with respect to any such entity for which they are a beneficial owner. For more information, see: https://fincen.gov/news/news-releases/fincen-removes-beneficial-ownership-reporting-requirements-us-companies-and-us.

This alert serves as a general summary and does not constitute legal guidance. Please contact us with any specific questions. When it matters in Michigan, we are the trusted legal advisors for businesses and individuals.

Robert D. Burgee is an attorney at Fraser Trebilcock with over a decade of experience counseling clients with a focus on corporate structures and compliance, licensing, contracts, regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and a host of other matters related to the operation of small and medium-sized businesses and non-profits. You can reach him at 517.377.0848 or at bburgee@fraserlawfirm.com.

CTA Update: Treasury Department Issues Statement

Important Update: The United States Treasury Department recently issued a statement casting doubt on the future enforceability of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), at least in its current form. This is particularly relevant for US entities owned by US citizens. While not legally binding, Treasury’s guidance strongly signals that the rules enacting the CTA are likely to be rescinded or significantly revised before implementation. FinCEN has previously announced its intention to issue revised rules and updated reporting deadlines by March 21, 2025.

Businesses that have already implemented CTA compliance processes, are advised to continue those efforts to ensure ongoing compliance. This recommendation remains in effect until FinCEN issues a new final rule or the law is formally amended.

Businesses that have not already filed Beneficial Owner Information Reports (BOIR) are advised to consult with legal counsel and monitor the rulemaking and legislative process for further developments. Foreign-owned entities doing business in the United States and US entities with foreign owners are advised to pay particular attention to such developments.

UPDATE: FinCEN – Supreme Court – CTA Injunction

UPDATE: FinCEN has given notice of its appeal in the Smith case: the lawsuit that led to the current nationwide injunction that makes Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting voluntary under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). If the court grants FinCEN’s appeal and lifts the injunction, BOI reporting would again become mandatory. In that event, the government has informed the court that FinCEN plans to implement a 30-day filing extension and “assess whether it is appropriate to modify the CTA’s reporting requirements to alleviate the burden on low-risk entities.”

Given the U.S. Supreme Court’s prior decision to stay a similar injunction in Texas Top Cop Shop Inc., it would not be surprising if the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals follows suit and grants the government’s request in this matter. But how FinCEN ultimately defines “low-risk entities” remains to be seen.

Therefore, as we have advised for several months, reporting companies should continue monitoring these proceedings, consult with legal counsel, and be prepared to file a BOIR when and if required.

Corporate Transparency Act Imposes Significant New Reporting Requirements on Businesses

Congress recently passed the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”), which requires certain business entities to report the “beneficial ownership” of an entity to the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FINCEN”).

The CTA is intended to deter activity such as money laundering, financing terrorism, and tax fraud, among other things. Failure to disclose the necessary information may subject businesses to significant civil and criminal penalties.

FINCEN is charged with developing regulations to implement the CTA by January 1, 2022. It released an advance notice of proposed rulemaking on April 5, 2021.

What Businesses Does the CTA Apply to?

The CTA applies to a “reporting company,” which under the statute includes a corporation, limited liability company, or other “similar entity” formed by filing with a secretary of state (or similar office under the law of a state) or formed under the law of a foreign country and registered to do business in the United States. We anticipate that the regulations developed by FINCEN will further clarify what “similar entity” means.

Several types of entities are exempt from reporting requirements, including government entities, as well as certain financial institutions, certain nonprofits, and publicly traded companies. Entities that (i) employ 20 or more full-time employees in the United States; (ii) filed a federal income tax return showing more than $5 million in gross receipts or sales; and (iii) have an operating presence at a physical office within the United States are also exempt.

An “exempt grandfathered entity” is one that: (i) was formed over one year prior to January 1, 2021; (ii) has not engaged in active business; (iii) is not owned, directly or indirectly, by a foreign person; (iv) has not, in the preceding 12-month period, experienced a change in ownership or sent or received funds in an amount greater than $1,000; and (v) does not otherwise hold any type of assets.

Who is a Beneficial Owner or Applicant?

Under the CTA, a “beneficial owner” is an individual who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship, or otherwise, (i) exercises substantial control over a corporation or limited liability company; (ii) owns 25% or more of the equity interests of a corporation or limited liability company; or (iii) receives substantial economic benefits from the assets of a corporation or limited liability company.

A reporting company must submit a report to FINCEN that discloses the full legal name, date of birth, address, and a unique identifying number from an acceptable identification document or a FINCEN identifier of any beneficial owner.

Reporting companies must also disclose similar information for any “applicant.” An “applicant” includes an individual who: (i) files an application to form a corporation, LLC, or other similar entity under state or Indian Tribe law; or (ii) registers or files an application to register a corporation, LLC, or other similar entity formed under the laws of a foreign country to do business in the United States by filing a document with the secretary of state or similar office under state or Indian Tribe law.

When Must Reporting Occur?

A reporting company that is formed or registered after the effective date of the regulations must submit a report to FINCEN with the beneficial ownership information related to the reporting company at the time it is formed or registered. A reporting company that was formed or registered before the effective date of the regulations must submit a report to FinCEN no later than two years after the effective date of the regulations. To the extent that there are changes in reported beneficial ownership information, a reporting company must submit an updated report to FINCEN by no later than one year after the date of the change.

What are the Penalties for Failing to Comply?

It is unlawful for any person to willfully provide, or attempt to provide, false or fraudulent beneficial ownership information to FINCEN, or willfully fail to report complete or updated beneficial ownership information to FINCEN. Violations are subject to civil penalties of not more than $500 for each day that the violation continues, and criminal penalties of imprisonment of up to two years and fines of up to $10,000.

There is a safe harbor rule that protects individuals from liability if they voluntarily follow procedures and submit a report with correct information within 90 days. The safe harbor is inapplicable to individuals who submit a report with knowledge that it contains incorrect information in an effort to evade reporting requirements.

We Can Help

The foregoing is a summary of some of the important provisions of the CTA. The statute is lengthy and complex and there is much more to know. Businesses should consult with their attorney to understand their obligations under the CTA. For assistance, please contact Ed Castellani or your Fraser Trebilcock attorney.

Edward J. Castellani is an attorney and CPA who represents clients involved with alcohol beverages as a manufacturer, wholesaler, or retailer. He leads the firm’s Business & Tax practice group, and may be contacted at ecast@fraserlawfirm.com or 517-377-0845.