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Corporate Transparency Act Update

Client Alert

For a more detailed overview on the CTA, and the changes business owners should expect at the turn of the calendar, click here. A webinar providing further explanation can be viewed here, which was presented December 7.

The Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”), with an effective date of January 1, 2024, is set to impose strict reporting guidelines on business owners throughout the country.  The below provides a brief update on two aspects of the CTA ahead of its effectiveness next week.

Access and Safeguards Final Rule

On December 21, 2023, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued the final rule setting forth the access and security guidelines (the “Access Guidelines”) related to the CTA.

The Access Guidelines detail six categories of authorized recipients who may access the beneficial ownership reporting information reported by business owners pursuant to the CTA (collectively, “BOI”): (i) federal agencies engaged in national security, intelligence, or law enforcement activity; (ii) state law enforcement agencies; (iii) foreign law enforcement agencies; (iv) financial institutions facilitating compliance with customer due diligence requirements under applicable law; (v) federal functional regulators assisting financial institutions under (iv) above; and (vi) Department of Treasury officers and employees.

Even if an agency is an “authorized recipient” under the Access Guidelines, that agency must satisfy several security and confidentiality requirements to ensure the proper protection of BOI after its receipt.  These recipient agencies are then further prohibited from re-disclosing BOI, unless one of eight enumerated circumstances is present.  Disclosure in violation of the Access Guidelines carries civil penalties in the amount of $500 for each day a violation continues or has not been remedied, and criminal penalties of not more $250,000 or imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or both.

Trend Amongst Service Professionals

Throughout the rulemaking process, it has become clear that the varying levels of analysis required for a given business’ compliance with the CTA is the “practice of law.”  Ohio Revised Code § 4705.07(A)(3) prohibits any person who is not licensed to practice law in the State of Ohio from committing any act that is deemed to be the practice of law.  Actions in contravention of R.C. § 4705.07 carry steep civil penalties.

Recognizing the legal components of the CTA, numerous professional associations throughout the country, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Ohio Society of CPAs, and the BDO Alliance USA, have advised their membership to consider speaking with legal counsel for their liability risks associated with CTA reporting.

Service providers should direct their clients to consult with an attorney concerning their reporting obligations under the CTA to avoid any liability for the unauthorized practice of law.

For questions regarding the CTA and how your business should prepare for the new mandatory reporting, please do not hesitate to contact BMD Member Blake Gerney (brgerney@bmdllc.com) or BMD Attorney Jacob Davis (jrdavis@bmdllc.com).

 


Ohio Board of Nursing Proposes Rule Changes for Nurses

On Monday, January 12, 2026, the Ohio Board of Nursing (“BON”) released a package of proposed changes to the Ohio Administrative Code. There are two proposed changes to continuing education requirements that Ohio nurses should be watching.

New Florida Law: Patient Overpayments Must Be Refunded Within 30 Days

Effective January 1, 2026, Florida Senate Bill 1808 requires health care facilities and practitioners to refund patient overpayments within 30 days after an overpayment is identified. The law applies to overpayments tied to claims submitted to government programs or private insurers and introduces fines and disciplinary consequences for noncompliance. Providers should review billing and payment practices now to prepare for the new requirements.

USCIS Policy Change Impacting Work Authorization: Advisory for Employers and Human Resources

USCIS has issued a policy memorandum pausing immigration benefit processing for individuals from 19 high-risk countries and requiring a re-review of certain previously approved cases. This change may affect work authorization, employment verification, and workforce stability. Employers and HR teams should review impacted employees and update compliance procedures.

CMS Releases CY 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule with Key Payment and Telehealth Updates

CMS issued the CY 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule on October 31, 2025, with changes effective January 1, 2026. The Final Rule includes increases to the conversion factor, a new efficiency adjustment, updates to practice expense methodology, permanent telehealth policy changes, revised payment for skin substitutes, expanded rules for Part B drugs and biologicals, enhanced policies for Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers, and new care management and behavioral health services.

Ohio Department of Medicaid Updates: Key Changes to Physician Reimbursement Rates in Early Parenthood

The Ohio Department of Medicaid has proposed amending Ohio Administrative Code Rule related to covered Medicaid reimbursements for physicians. Beginning on January 1, 2026, they are proposing an increase to rates for prenatal care, childbirth, and infant care and provider visits.