Learn
Form 4 reports most changes in beneficial ownership by Section 16 insiders. The filing clock is short: two business days after the transaction date, counted in Eastern Time and rolled past weekends and SEC holidays.
Late Form 4s are still filed on EDGAR with their actual filing date, so the delay is public. TakePublic tracks insider rosters and Form 4 deadlines on the compliance calendar. This page is not legal advice; confirm who must file and which transactions are reportable with securities counsel.
Start with the transaction date. Add two business days. If the result is still a weekend or SEC holiday, roll forward to the next business day. That date, in Eastern Time, is the Form 4 due date TakePublic shows on the calendar.
In broad terms, Section 16 covers directors, executive officers, and beneficial owners of more than 10% of a class of equity securities registered under Section 12. Exact officer titles, group ownership, and indirect holdings are fact-specific. Confirm the reporting person list with securities counsel before relying on any roster.
| Form | What it covers | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Form 3 | Initial statement when someone becomes a Section 16 insider | Generally 10 calendar days after becoming an insider (or by the Section 12 registration effective date when that rule applies) |
| Form 4 | Most changes in beneficial ownership | 2 business days after the transaction |
| Form 5 | Annual catch-up for certain transactions | 45 calendar days after fiscal year end |
Weekend and SEC holiday due dates roll to the next business day. All deadlines ET.
EDGAR shows when the Form 4 was accepted. Investors, plaintiff firms, and counterparties can compare the transaction date to the filing date without any special access. That transparency is why companies treat the two-business-day clock as an operations problem, not only a legal one: codes, transaction details, and counsel review have to be ready before the window closes.
Two business days after the transaction date, rolled forward if that date falls on a weekend or SEC holiday. All deadlines ET.
Section 16 reporting persons: typically directors, executive officers, and greater-than-10% beneficial owners. Confirm the exact list and any exemptions with securities counsel.
Form 3 is the initial ownership statement, generally due 10 calendar days after becoming an insider. Form 4 reports later transactions on the two-business-day clock.
45 calendar days after fiscal year end, rolled forward off weekends and SEC holidays. All deadlines ET.
Yes. The filing date on EDGAR is public, so a Form 4 filed after the two-business-day deadline is visible as late.
The primary sources behind this page, on the SEC's own site.
Enter your ticker and get a free compliance report: health score, filing history, and your next deadlines (ET). No account required. Your securities attorney signs every filing, and on Core we file to EDGAR with Inline XBRL included.
Run a free compliance scan See plans and pricingTakePublic is a technology platform, not a law firm, broker-dealer, or auditor. Nothing files without review and sign-off by a licensed securities attorney.