What Is Form 13F and Who Must File It?
Form 13F is a quarterly report required by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for institutional investment managers that control over $100 million in certain publicly traded securities. These securities — known as Section 13(f) securities — include most U.S.-listed equities, options, ETFs, and certain convertible notes and ADRs.
The purpose of Form 13F is to increase transparency into institutional ownership. It gives regulators, investors, and the public a transparent view of what large asset managers are holding each quarter. The filings are made publicly available through the SEC’s EDGAR system.
You can read more about the rule, filing process, and common questions in our full Form 13F FAQ.
Who Has to File Form 13F?
You must file Form 13F if:
You exercise investment discretion over accounts with $100 million or more in 13F securities.
This threshold is assessed at the end of any month in a calendar year. If you cross it even once, you're required to start reporting with the Q4 filing of that year.
Once you begin filing, you must continue through at least the Q3 filing of the following year, even if your assets drop below the threshold.
SEC's Official 13F Securities List:
https://www.sec.gov/rules-regulations/staff-guidance/division-investment-management-frequently-asked-questions/official-list-section-13f-securities
When Is Form 13F Due?
Filings are due 45 days after the end of each calendar quarter.
For example:
May 15 for Q1
August 14 for Q2
November 14 for Q3
February 14 for Q4
Common 13F Filing Mistakes to Avoid
Many first-time filers trip up on a few key issues:
Misreporting securities not on the official 13F list
Submitting incomplete or inconsistent information tables
Missing the 45-day deadline — especially for Q4
Even small filing errors can draw unwanted attention or raise questions from regulators and investors. It’s worth getting right the first time. We’ve helped hundreds of managers catch and correct these problems before they become a public issue. If you're unsure, we're here to help.
Get Expert Help — Without the Hassle
If you're unsure whether you need to file — or simply want to avoid the stress and risk of doing it yourself — we can help.
ACN Solutions works with RIAs, family offices, hedge funds, and other asset managers to:
Determine filing obligations based on current thresholds
Transform raw portfolio data into SEC-ready filings
Submit accurate reports on your behalf — on time, every time
Talk to us today and take the guesswork out of Form 13F: https://www.netacn.com/contactus
Disclaimer
The information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, compliance, or financial advice. ACN Solutions LLC is not a law firm, compliance advisor, or affiliated with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). While we strive to provide accurate and timely guidance based on publicly available SEC resources, we do not speak on behalf of the SEC and are not authorized to interpret its rules or policies. Readers should consult their legal counsel or compliance professionals for specific guidance related to their regulatory obligations.