NO FEES Act of 2026

Financial relief for small businesses: The Secretary must grant a waiver of the annual registration fee if an establishment is determined to be a small business, which covers 100 percent of the fee for the first three years and 50 percent for the next two years (Section 2(a)(2)).

Clearer definitions for small businesses: The bill provides a specific definition of a small business as an entity employing less than 20 full-time equivalent employees, including those of its affiliates (Section 2(a)(1)).

Standardized size requirements: The Secretary is required to apply Small Business Administration standards regarding size eligibility and affiliation (Section 2(a)(2)(cc)).

Protection from historical payment scrutiny: When deciding whether to grant a waiver, the Secretary is prohibited from considering whether the establishment paid the required fee in previous years (Section 2(a)(2)(bb)).

Restrictions on foreign entities: Entities organized under the laws of a foreign government are prohibited from applying for a waiver and cannot form a U.S. entity specifically to apply for one (Section 2(a)(3)).

Increased costs for foreign companies: For establishments owned or operated by an entity organized under the laws of a foreign government, the annual registration fee is multiplied by 8 (Section 3).

Administrative requirements for businesses: To demonstrate they are a small business, an establishment must submit a copy of its most recent Federal income tax return or its most recent payroll register at least 60 days before the fee is due (Section 2(a)(2)(dd)).

Limited duration of financial assistance: The waiver coverage expires after a 5-year period, and the amount of the waiver decreases from 100 percent to 50 percent after the initial three years (Section 2(a)(4)).