CrossBorder Forms

Do I need to file Form 5472?

For non-U.S. founders who own a U.S. LLC alone — Stripe Atlas, doola, Firstbase, Amazon sellers. Free, nothing stored.

Five questions. Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 is the yearly information return for a U.S. LLC with one foreign owner. No tax is paid with it; the penalty for missing it is $25,000.

Your U.S. company is…

Is the owner a foreign person (not a U.S. citizen, green card holder or U.S. tax resident)?

During that year, did money move between you and the LLC in either direction?

Count everything: wiring money in, paying the formation or registered agent fee with your own card, paying any LLC bill personally, or taking money out.

What you get

Sample Form 5472 packet: filing guide, fax cover sheet and the pre-filled Form 5472
Sample packet with made-up data. Yours is filled with your own answers.

FAQ

My LLC had no income. Do I still file Form 5472?
Usually yes. A foreign-owned single-member LLC must file if it had any reportable transaction with its owner, and that includes money the owner put in or took out, and formation or registered agent fees the owner paid personally. Zero revenue does not remove the filing.
What is a pro forma Form 1120?
A Form 1120 cover with only the LLC name, address, EIN (item B) and item E filled in, "Foreign-owned U.S. DE" written across the top, and Form 5472 attached. It is a vehicle for Form 5472, not a tax return; no tax is computed on it.
When is Form 5472 due for a single-member LLC?
April 15 after the end of the calendar year (the next business day if it falls on a weekend). Form 7004, faxed or mailed to the same IRS unit by April 15, extends it to October 15.
Can I e-file Form 5472 for a foreign-owned LLC?
No. A foreign-owned disregarded entity cannot e-file it. Fax it to 855-887-7737 or mail it to the IRS PIN Unit, 1973 Rulon White Blvd, M/S 6112, Ogden, UT 84201.
What is the penalty for not filing Form 5472?
$25,000 for each Form 5472 not filed on time or filed substantially incomplete, plus $25,000 for each 30-day period the failure continues more than 90 days after the IRS notifies you.
Does the foreign owner need an SSN or ITIN?
No. If the owner has no U.S. taxpayer ID, Form 5472 takes a reference ID number instead: letters and digits, up to 50 characters, used the same way every year.

Form 5472 instructions for a foreign-owned LLC · Fax number, address and due date