The sender is not clearly FinCEN, Treasury, or another official government source.
BOI filing notice
BOI Filing Notice: Verify Before You Pay
BOI and Corporate Transparency Act notices can be confusing, especially because the rules have changed. Before you pay a third-party service or follow a notice, verify the source, current requirement, and payment path.
Review your notice before you pay - $29
FilingGuard is not a government agency and does not provide legal advice.
Quick source check
Sender
Who is asking for payment?
Requirement
What filing or report is being claimed?
Fee
Are you being charged by a third party?
Payment path
Where would your money go?
Official source
Can you verify it through FinCEN?
Why BOI notices can be confusing
A real government topic can still appear inside a confusing notice.
BOI means beneficial ownership information. BOI reporting is associated with FinCEN and the Corporate Transparency Act, but the rules have changed.
As of FinCEN's March 2025 interim final rule, entities created in the United States and their beneficial owners are exempt from BOI reporting. Some foreign companies registered to do business in the United States may still have reporting obligations.
Older articles, mailers, emails, or third-party notices may be outdated or confusing. A notice may reference a real government topic while still being a private solicitation or paid service. FinCEN states that there is no fee to file BOI directly with FinCEN and that FinCEN does not send correspondence requesting payment to file BOI.
The safest move is to verify current requirements through FinCEN's official BOI information page before paying or submitting information. Official source: FinCEN BOI information. If the situation is unclear, consult the official source or a qualified professional.
Related guides: If your notice is about an annual report filing, read the annual report filing notice guide. If it mentions a certificate, compare it with the certificate of good standing and the certificate of existence guides .
Warning signs
Details worth checking before money leaves or sensitive information is submitted.
One signal does not prove a notice is bad. Several together are a reason to pause and verify.
The notice asks for payment before you verify whether a filing is currently required.
The notice asks for sensitive ownership information through a private website or form.
The payment destination is a private company, private website, QR code, phone number, or mailing address.
The notice uses penalty, deadline, compliance, or final-notice language without a clear official source.
The notice appears to rely on outdated BOI requirements.
The notice says it is not affiliated with a government agency in small print.
Verify before paying
Use FinCEN and official sources, not the notice, as your starting point.
Treat the notice as something to verify, then compare it against the official source you find independently.
- 01Go directly to FinCEN's official BOI information page yourself, instead of using links or QR codes printed on the notice.
- 02Check whether the notice is asking about BOI, Corporate Transparency Act reporting, beneficial ownership information, or a third-party filing service.
- 03Compare the notice against FinCEN's current BOI guidance, especially because requirements have changed.
- 04Do not submit ownership details, personal information, or payment through a private link until you verify the source.
- 05Save a copy of the notice, payment request, website, QR code, and any email or mailing details.
- 06If the requirement is unclear, verify through the official source or a qualified professional before paying.
FilingGuard review
Want a clearer read before you pay?
Upload the BOI or FinCEN notice, add the visible details, and get a FilingGuard Detailed Review for $29. FilingGuard reviews the notice for warning signs, official-source indicators, payment-path issues, and recommended next steps.
Questions? support@getfilingguard.com
Common questions
Short answers before you decide what to verify next.
Is every BOI filing notice a scam?
No. BOI reporting is a real government topic connected to FinCEN and the Corporate Transparency Act. The question is whether the notice you received reflects current official guidance or a third-party solicitation.
What does FinCEN currently say about U.S.-created companies?
FinCEN's March 2025 interim final rule says entities created in the United States and their beneficial owners are exempt from BOI reporting. Rules can change, so verify current requirements directly through FinCEN's official BOI page.
Can FilingGuard file my BOI report?
No. FilingGuard does not file BOI reports, submit government forms, or replace FinCEN's official process. It provides a plain-English review of the notice and warning signs before you pay or submit information.
Should I use the payment link on the notice?
Verify first. Go directly to FinCEN's official BOI page or other official sources before using links, QR codes, phone numbers, forms, or payment addresses shown on a notice.
Why are BOI notices especially confusing?
BOI requirements have changed, and some older guidance, mailers, emails, or third-party services may not reflect the current rule. That makes official-source verification especially important.
Final check
Verify the source before you pay.
FilingGuard is not a government agency and does not provide legal advice. Always verify important filings or payments through the official source before paying.