September 26, 2022
Electronic Form 144: The Future Is Now
The SEC announced on Friday that the EDGAR system is now ready to accept electronic Form 144 filings. Under rules that were adopted this past June, most Form 144 filings will be required to be made electronically beginning as early as March 2023 (the SEC will announce the exact compliance date when the final rule is published in the Federal Register, which is expected to happen within the next few weeks and will begin the 6-month countdown).
The SEC has launched a page with resources for filing Form 144 electronically. Here’s what you need to do now:
1. Make sure all of your company’s insiders have an EDGAR account and that their codes are up & running. The page explains how to search for lost codes.
2. If any reporting person doesn’t already have an EDGAR account, apply for one now. Applications require individual review by the Staff, and they expect a rush of submissions as the compliance date nears, so don’t be caught at the back of the line. The page explains the steps to apply.
3. Brush up on Form 144 CDIs for questions about when you need to file an amended Form, etc. Remember that we also have a “Rule 144 Q&A Forum” for questions about the Rule itself.
4. Check out the SEC’s page for step-by-step guidance for using the online fillable Form 144 and Frequently Asked Questions.
We’ll be discussing the implications of electronic Form 144 filings – along with many other practical topics – at our virtual “Proxy Disclosure & 19th Annual Executive Compensation Conferences” – coming up in only two weeks, October 12th – 14th. There is still time to register! Here’s the agenda – 18 essential sessions over the course of three days. Sign up online (with the “Conference” drop-down, and the “PDEC” options), email sales@ccrcorp.com, or call 1-800-737-1271. Bundle your registration with our “1st Annual Practical ESG Conference” and get a discounted rate!
– Liz Dunshee