Question 1

A fee to file a BOI (beneficial ownership) report

Accepted Answer

U.S. companies and U.S. persons no longer have to file BOI reports under FinCEN’s August 2026 final rule. Do not pay anyone to file one for your U.S. LLC.

Question 2

A fee to get an EIN or tax ID

Accepted Answer

An EIN is free from the IRS. Sites that charge are middlemen.

Question 3

A fee for a certificate of good standing or certificate of status

Accepted Answer

Your state issues these directly, usually online. Mailers from private companies often charge far more. Order from your Secretary of State if you need one.

Question 4

A fee to prepare annual minutes or corporate records

Accepted Answer

These mailers are usually optional services, not state filings. Your real annual filing is your state annual report, filed with your Secretary of State.

Question 5

A demand to buy labor law posters

Accepted Answer

Some posters are required once you have employees, but federal and state agencies offer them free. Check before paying a private company.

Question 6

A trademark renewal or registration notice

Accepted Answer

Private companies send notices that look like they come from the USPTO. Check your trademark status directly with the USPTO before paying anyone.

Question 7

Something else

Accepted Answer

Use the red flags checklist. If anything looks off, do not pay. Look up the agency yourself and confirm whether the request is real before you send money.