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FinCEN News on the New Anti-Money Laundering Rule

FinCEN News Accordion

3/25/2026 - We are closely monitoring the recent decision by the U.S. District Court, which has issued a ruling vacating the FinCEN Anti-Money Laundering (AML) rule.

We understand that this development creates significant questions for our industry regarding current and future filing obligations.

Following the court’s ruling on Thursday, March 19, FinCEN confirmed that reporting entities are not currently required to file real estate reports and will not be subject to penalties for not filing while this ruling remains in effect.

FinCEN is expected to appeal the decision, and the timing and outcome of that process are uncertain. Because of this, it’s possible that transactions currently open, or opening in the future, could become reportable again by the time they close.

Stewart believes that continuing to collect this information now may help avoid delays or disruptions if the rule is reinstated quickly. However, we recommend that agents and partners consult their own legal counsel to determine how best to navigate this evolving situation.

We’ll continue to monitor developments closely and share updates as more clarity becomes available. Thank you for your attention and continued flexibility.

FinCen Reporting Services customers can learn what FRS will be doing as a result of this ruling here.

12/22/2025 - Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) published materials to help the real estate industry prepare for upcoming reporting requirements, effective March 1, 2026.

Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN published materials to help the real estate industry prepare for upcoming reporting requirements, effective March 1, 2026. Learn more about the rule and implementation timeline here.

Materials published today include:

For questions regarding the Bank Secrecy Act E-Filing process, please contact FinCEN at the BSA E-Filing Technical Support Helpdesk. For other questions about the Residential Real Estate Rule or reporting requirements, please contact FinCEN using the Contact Us page.