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Do I still have to file a beneficial ownership (BOI) report for my LLC?

If your LLC was formed in the United States, you are currently exempt from beneficial ownership information reporting. The same goes for domestic corporations and partnerships. After a final rule from FinCEN in March 2025, only companies formed in a foreign country and registered to do business in the US must file BOI reports. Most domestic small businesses have no filing obligation.

This has been one of the more confusing compliance topics in recent years. The Corporate Transparency Act passed in 2021, and BOI reporting was supposed to start in 2024 for new businesses and by January 2025 for existing ones. Court challenges, injunctions, and shifting guidance made it nearly impossible to know what applied. If you spent time worrying about this or even started a report, you had good reason to be confused.

FinCEN’s March 2025 rule narrowed the scope to foreign reporting companies only. That means LLCs, corporations, and partnerships formed in any US state are exempt. There is no deadline hanging over domestic businesses, and no report to file for this requirement.

One thing to keep in mind. The Corporate Transparency Act is still on the books as law. Congress could amend it, or a future administration could issue new rules that bring domestic businesses back into scope. The exemption is clear today, but this is worth staying aware of over time.

Keeping track of changes like this is part of why working with a small business bookkeeping firm matters. When rules shift mid-stream and guidance keeps changing, having someone in your corner who follows these things takes that weight off your plate. At Smart Outsourced Solutions, Simona Leppala is a CPA and Enrolled Agent who stays current on compliance requirements and keeps clients informed.

If you have questions about your specific situation or want to talk through what full-service bookkeeping looks like for your business, reach out for a consultation. We work with owner-operated service businesses across New England and nationwide.

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More Questions

What records do I need to keep, and for how long?

Keep receipts, bank statements, invoices, payroll records, and tax returns for at least three to seven years depending on the document type. Good records protect your deductions if you're audited and make tax preparation much easier.

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How do I handle server tips in my books and payroll?

Track cash tips through employee declarations and credit card tips through your POS, record credit card tips as a liability rather than revenue, and include all reported tips in taxable wages for payroll. New W-2 reporting rules for tips take effect in 2026.

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Do I still send 1099s if I pay contractors through PayPal or a card?

Payments made through PayPal, Venmo, or credit card are reported by the processor on a 1099-K, so you generally do not issue a 1099-NEC for those same payments. You issue 1099-NEC only for direct payments like cash, check, or ACH transfers.

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Can you help me figure out if I should be an LLC, S-corp, or stay a sole proprietor?

Yes. The firm can walk you through the trade-offs based on your profit level and tolerance for complexity. A sole proprietor or single-member LLC is simplest, an S-corp election can save self-employment tax once profit is high enough, and the right choice depends on your specific numbers.

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As a consultant, do I qualify for the QBI deduction?

Consultants can qualify for the 20 percent QBI deduction, but income limits apply. Below roughly $200,000 single or $400,000 married filing jointly, you get the full deduction. Above that range, it phases out and eventually disappears.

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I work with clients in multiple states. Does that change my taxes?

Working with out-of-state clients can create state tax filing obligations depending on where and how much business you do in each state. The rules vary, and this is worth reviewing proactively rather than assuming you have no obligations beyond your home state.

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Massachusetts bookkeeping and accounting firm helping service businesses across New England and nationwide. We go beyond recording transactions to show owners what their numbers actually say about their business. Founded by Simona Leppala, a CPA and Enrolled Agent.

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