BOI Filing Instructions
Step-by-step instructions to file your own BOI report
Before you file, take a picture of your driver’s license and save it to the device you will be using to file the report. It can be a jpg file, pdf, or png file format. You will need to do this for EACH owner of the company. You will be asked to upload this picture during your application.
Methods:
You can electronically file using the browser on your phone, or from your laptop/home computer
Use your phone’s browser – take a picture with your phone, save it as a jpg picture. Then access it when you get to the upload point.
Use your laptop/home computer – take a picture with your phone and forward it to the email that you access on your laptop – or If you have a scanner just save it to your computer
Where to file online:
Go to the FinCEN website – www.fincen.gov
Or go directly to the BOR reporting page: – https://boiefiling.fincen.gov/boir/html
You will see 5 separate sections across the top. You will progress to the next one as each section is completed:
[Filing Information] [Reporting Company] [Company Applicant] [beneficial Owners] [Submit]
[Filing information]
For your first filing, select “Initial report”
Later (if needed) you can select to make corrections or to add/delete new owners
[Reporting company]
* Check box 3 to request to receive FinCen ID. This new ID will be provided after your report is submitted and accepted.
* Enter your company legal name, be precise in your spelling. Make sure it is entered the same way it is listed with the Ohio Secretary of State (ie: John Doe Enterprises LLC)
(can also add DBA name on this screen if you have one)
* Choose the type of identification you have– either your EIN or social security#
* In box [10a] enter your country/Jurisdiction and in box [10b] enter your state
* Enter your business location address, the location of your shop or business. This could be your home address if you conduct business from your home.
[Company Applicant]
This information is for the person who is completing the application, not each individual owner. The separate owners will be entered in the next tab [Beneficial Owners].
* Do NOT check box 16 – unless you have previously filed a BOI report prior to January 1st 2024
* Do NOT enter a FinCen ID in box 18 – unless you have previously filed a BOI report
* Enter your name, address, and birthdate in boxes 19,20,23
* For current address, choose residential and enter your personal address in boxes 25-29
(Business address is for applicants that are representing a client, such as paralegals, attorneys, and CPAs)
* in the “Form of Identification” section – this is where you will enter the information from your drivers license, and also upload the picture of your DL you took earlier. Either drag & drop or click “choose from folder” and select the file you saved.
[Beneficial Owners]
This section is where you will enter the information of each owner of the company
The CTA defines a Beneficial Owner of a Reporting Company as any natural person who directly or indirectly (i) exercises “substantial control” over the Reporting Company or (ii) owns or controls 25% or more of the ownership interests of the Reporting Company.
* If there is more than one owner, click the “Add Beneficial Owner’ until the total number of owners are available (ie: Beneficial Owner #1, Beneficial Owner #2, Beneficial Owner #3)
* If owner is a minor, check box 35. Otherwise leave empty
* Do NOT enter a FinCEN ID unless you have previously filed a BOI report
* Do NOT check box 37 for exempt entities
* For each owner, enter the information similar to the previous “company applicant” step, including name, address, drivers license information, and upload the picture like before.
Note: if you are both an “Applicant” and an “Owner” you will be entering your information and uploading your drivers license TWICE.
[Submit]
After all owner information has been entered, you will need to enter your email address and first/last name. Click the box that you agree to the statement above it, and also click the “I am human” box to prove that you are not a panda bear or an octopus.
Once submitted, you will be given confirmation of filing. The confirmation also includes your new FinCEN identity number.
Print and save this as an important document!
Some helpful links:
Beneficial Ownership Information | FinCEN.gov
BOI Small Compliance Guide v1.1
Finally… there are lots of scam artists out there that are using this event as a way to collect and steal VERY sensitive information about you. Do NOT use a vague internet service to do the BOI reporting for you, it is actually very easy and simple to do. If you must use someone to file for you, choose a reputable attorney or a CPA that you can trust.