Specifically, for purposes of the CTA, a “Reporting Company” is:
a) any company that is created by filing a document with a Secretary of State or similar office (including a federally recognized Indian Tribe), such as a corporation, a limited liability company or limited partnership and some trusts (if they are created or registered with a secretary state);
or
(b) a foreign-formed entity that is registered or registers to do business in the United States.
A "similar office" is any office (including a department, agency, or bureau) of a governmental authority under the law of a State or Indian Tribe where or through which a domestic entity files a document to be created, or a foreign entity files a document to be registered to do business in the United States.
Federal agencies are not considered "similar offices".
Domestic entities that are created by State or Federal charter are not created by the filing of a document with a secretary of state or similar office.
Although the CTA includes twenty-three categories of businesses that are exempt from the CTA, these exempt businesses generally are already extensively regulated by the federal government or a state government. Also exempt from the CTA, for example, are sole proprietorships and general partnerships, because they are not formed by filing a document with a state governmental agency.
See related articles: What are the exemptions under the Corporate Transparency Act?
What is the Large Operating Company Exemption?
Does a subsidiary partially controlled by an exempt entity qualify for an exemption?