The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has strict regulations when defining both insider trading and those considered "insider traders." According to the SEC, insider trading refers to buying or selling securities based on material, nonpublic information about a company. The securities traded can be anything from stocks to options or bonds. 

Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 mandates that insiders, including directors, officers, and individuals holding more than 10% of listed stock, report securities transactions under Form 3, 4, and 5 filings. In this article, we'll take a deep dive into Section 16 insider trading filing requirements and provide a comprehensive overview so you know whether or not you need to file Forms 3, 4, or 5.

The Need for Insider Reporting Forms

It's essential to understand why insider trading reporting is necessary. As mentioned earlier, the SEC has strict regulations to prevent unfair advantages for insiders when buying and selling securities. Any forms that fall under section 16, such as Forms 3, 4, and 5, become public records, meaning they can be easily accessed and shared among traders.

Why does this matter when it comes to insider trading? Because by making these filings public, it allows all investors to be on an even playing field. No one can use nonpublic information to trade securities and make profits that other traders cannot access. For instance, some examples of insider trading include:

• Government workers using classified information to make trades
• Company executives using insider knowledge of upcoming earnings reports or product launches to buy and sell stocks
• Family members or close associates of a company sharing earnings information not yet shared with key stakeholders and investors

These unfair advantages prevent other traders from competing on a level playing field. Requiring insiders to file Forms 3, 4, and 5 ensures that all traders have access to the same information and transparency among traders.

What Insider Traders Can and Can't Do

If you're an insider trader, you still have rights and can do things such as:

• Put money into your 401(k)
• Purchase stock on the open market
• Sell shares you already own

However, there are certain restrictions for insider traders must follow. These include:

• Cannot trade on material nonpublic information
• Must report transactions to the SEC via Form 3, 4, or 5 filings 
• Cannot trade on any information you have obtained from another insider
• Cannot give stock tips or share secrets with other traders

What is Form 3?

Insiders must report trading activity through SEC via Form 3, 4, or 5 filings when they conduct securities transactions. Section 16 Form 3 is also known as the initial statement of beneficial ownership of securities. Using a Section 16 Reports Filing Service or opting for self or full serve offerings is mandatory for insiders that include:

• any director or officer of an issuer with a class of equity securities registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
• any beneficial owner of greater than 10% of a class of equity securities
• any officer, director, member of an advisory board, investment adviser, affiliated person of an investment
• adviser or beneficial owner of more than 10% of any class of outstanding securities (other than short-term paper) of a registered closed-end investment company
• any trust, trustee, beneficiary, or settlor 

What is Form 4?

Section 16 Form 4 is also closely related to Form 3. It is the most frequently used form out of Forms 3, 4, and 5 because of the need to report on each transaction by insiders. Form 4 is used to report equity securities transactions held by insiders and must be filed within two business days of a transaction. In short, any changes in securities are subject to Form 4 and must be filed after Form 3. 

What is Form 5?

Form 5 is also used to report any transactions that were not reported in your Form 4 filing (although they should have been). Form 5 lists securities that were eligible for deferred reporting. This includes things such as smaller transactions or shares that were gifted.

When filing Form 5, it will need to be filed electronically through the EDGAR system, and it will need to be filed on or before the 45th day after the end of the issuer's fiscal year. A separate form will be needed to reflect each beneficial ownership of securities of each issuer.

How to File Forms 3, 4, and 5

You can download SEC forms 3, 4, and 5 online. You will need to input your full name and address, relationship to the reporting person, a list of your securities, issuer name or ticker symbols, and more. You must file it electronically at https://www.onlineforms.edgarfiling.sec.gov to satisfy the SEC's requirements through the EDGAR (Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval), an online system for all Section 16 filings.

Why These Forms Matter to Investors

The SEC requires such disclosures to ensure transparency and provide investors with meaningful information to evaluate the company's financial standing. By analyzing these filings, investors can interpret potential inside information that could lead to the appreciation or depreciation of securities prices. For example, if a high-ranking officer in a company sells off company stock, it could indicate an impending financial crisis, prompting investors in the market to sell off their holdings.

What if Forms Are Not Filed?

There are stringent rules for committing what is known as "known failures." A known failure could be anything from failing to file a form 3 or 4 to making an inaccurate filing or omitting information. If a known failure is committed, the SEC can levy significant fines and other penalties that could include thousands of dollars in penalties. For instance, in 2014, the SEC charged 28 major shareholders and insiders for failing to disclose transactions and holdings in company stocks. This includes members like Paul Arling, CEO and chairman of the board of directors of Universal Electronics Inc., who paid a $60,375 penalty, and Sidney Hooper, CFO and principal accounting officer of Sutron Corporation, who shelled out a $34,125 fine.

Filing under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act is a crucial regulatory requirement that all insiders should be aware of. Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to significant consequences for the company and related stakeholders. By adhering to these regulations, companies can foster transparency and safeguard investors' interests. Getting help from a registered SEC filing agent to comply with Section 16 or using Section 16 software can help issuers and other stakeholders submit filings to the EDGAR database.