October 16, 2025
In This Issue:
- TLTA Participates in TREC Broker Lawyer Committee Meeting re: Standard Contract Change Related to New FinCEN Reporting Rule
- Compliance Reminder: Guaranty Fee Reports Due Nov. 1 - Failure to Submit Could Lead to TDI Enforcement
- ICYMI: FinCEN Announces GTO Reporting in Seven Texas Counties to Continue Through Feb. 28, 2026. Recently Delayed Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule to Replace GTOs March 1.
TLTA Participates in TREC Broker Lawyer Committee Meeting re: Standard Contract Change Related to New FinCEN Reporting Rule
TLTA | Oct. 16, 2025
The Texas Real Estate Commission's Broker Lawyer Committee met Oct. 10 to discuss suggested changes to the residential real estate standard contract related to the U.S. Department of Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) Final Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule, which will require reports to be submitted beginning March 1, 2026. TLTA was grateful for the opportunity to participate in TREC's discussion.
Review TLTA's Recommendation Letter »
TLTA Editor's Note: While enforcement of this rule was delayed from its original implementation date end of this year, TLTA is working with TREC and other partners to ensure mechanisms are in place to smooth implementation of this new reporting requirement for title agents.
You can learn more about the new rule and its delayed enforcement date in the article below. Our
2-hour compliance clinic will help you prepare to submit your report in less than 5 months.
Compliance Reminder: Guaranty Fee Reports Due Nov. 1 - Failure to Submit Could Lead to TDI Enforcement
TLTA | Oct. 16, 2025
Guaranty Fee reports for the third quarter of 2025 are due to TTIGA Nov. 1. Failure to submit reports could result in enforcement action from TDI.
Remittance Forms and Other Guaranty Fee Info »
ICYMI: FinCEN Announces GTO Reporting in Seven Texas Counties to Continue Through Feb. 28, 2026. Recently Delayed Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule to Replace GTOs March 1.
FinCEN | Oct. 9, 2025
FinCEN Renews GTOs Effective Oct. 10
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)
announced the renewal of its Geographic Targeting Orders (GTOs) that require U.S. title insurance companies to identify the natural persons behind shell companies used in non-financed purchases of residential real estate. The GTOs are effective beginning October 10, 2025
Texas Counties Included in GTO
The following Texas counties are included in this GTO: Bexar, Dallas, Harris, Montgomery, Tarrant, Travis, and Webb
Review the GTO Order »
Review FAQs re: GTOs »
FinCEN Announces Postponement of Residential Real Estate Reporting Until March 1, 2026
"To reduce business burden and ensure effective regulation, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) announced that it will postpone reporting requirements of the Anti-Money Laundering Regulations for Residential Real Estate Transfers Rule (RRE Rule) until March 1, 2026. FinCEN is taking this step to provide industry with more time to comply—consistent with the Administration’s agenda to reduce compliance burden—while still adequately protecting the U.S. financial system from money laundering, terrorist financing, and other serious illicit finance threats.
"To implement this extension, FinCEN issued a temporary order granting exemptive relief from the reporting requirements. In the interim, any Real Estate Geographic Targeting Orders will remain in effect."
Read the announcement »
Review exemptive relief order »
TLTA Editor's Note: Effectively communicating the impacts on title agents of the new residential real estate reporting requirement helped convince decision-makers to delay its implementation. Here are some of the ways our community shared that message:
TLTA comments to FinCEN »
ALTA comments to FinCEN »
Texas Congressman Roger Williams asks FinCEN Director about title agents »