WASHINGTON, D.C. – American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented on the recent nationwide injunction ordered by the federal court in the Eastern District of Texas halting enforcement of the Beneficial Ownership Information filing requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). The requirement essentially requires the filing of private business ownership information with the federal government. 

“Farmers and ranchers across the country have faced great uncertainty since the passage of the Corporate Transparency Act in early 2021 and as the Beneficial Ownership Information regulations have been written. Questions are swirling about who is required to file and who will have access to the confidential data being collected. 

“Farm Bureau has long fought against the mandated disclosure of farmers’ private business information to the federal government in a number of different scenarios. For a second time this year a federal court has ruled the CTA oversteps the Constitution on that front. We appreciate the temporary reprieve provided by the injunction and hope Congress can take a cue from the courts in the coming weeks to provide a more permanent resolution to this problematic policy.”

While the enforcement of this rule is paused, Utah Farm Bureau encourages its members to contact their local CPA or whomever handles their taxes to see if they are exempt or required to complete the Beneficial Ownership filing.