The SEC recently announced that Securities Act registration fees that companies are required to pay in connection with registered securities offerings will increase significantly. Effective October 1st, the current fee of $114.60 per million dollars of securities offered will increase to $136.40 per million dollars, representing an increase of more than 19 percent.
The SEC is required to make annual adjustments to its fees and to set rates at levels projected to generate collections equal to annual statutory target amounts, which in fiscal year 2013 is $455 million.
In light of this significant jump in the fee rate, issuers may want to consider filing any new S-8 registration statements deemed appropriate to register securities for their benefit plans prior to October 1st in order to take advantage of the lower fee rate currently in effect.
A copy of the SEC’s release can be found here: http://www.sec.gov/news/press/2012/2012-174.htm