FCC Reviews Form 161: Help Make Updates Less Annoying
Published Date: 12/3/2025
Notice
Summary
The FCC is checking in on a form called FCC Form 161 that businesses, individuals, and governments use to update their info. They want your thoughts on how to make this paperwork easier and clearer, especially for small businesses. If you want to share your ideas, send them by February 2, 2026—no fees or penalties involved, just a chance to help out!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Chance for Small Businesses to Cut Paperwork
The FCC is asking for public comments on FCC Form 161 to find ways to reduce paperwork burdens, with a stated focus on minimizing burden for small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. You can send comments by February 2, 2026; the notice says there are no fees or penalties for submitting comments.
You Use FCC Form 161 to Update CORES Info
If you have a CORES registration and an FCC Registration Number (FRN), you must use FCC Form 161 (or the online CORES site) to update contact details. The FCC estimates 14,969 responses annually, each taking about 10 minutes, totaling 2,500 hours per year, and states there is no monetary cost per response.
CORES Data Used for Debt and Refund Actions
The FCC will use the information from CORES and FCC Form 161 to collect or report on any delinquent debt from your dealings with the FCC (including both 'feeable' and 'nonfeeable' services) and to ensure registrants receive any refunds due, as part of compliance with the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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