An IRS information return reporting transactions between a US reporting entity and its foreign related parties. It computes no tax.

Does a foreign-owned single-member LLC need Form 5472?

Where it is disregarded for federal tax purposes, owned by a foreign person, and had reportable transactions, yes. That combination describes most nonresident-owned LLCs that trade or move money.

Does a foreign-owned LLC with no income need Form 5472?

Income is not the test. If reportable transactions occurred — including contributions or formation costs paid by the owner — a filing can be required despite zero revenue.

What counts as a reportable transaction?

Amounts paid or received between the entity and a related party, and for a disregarded entity also amounts connected with its formation, funding, distributions and dissolution.

Are owner contributions reportable?

Contributions to a foreign-owned disregarded entity fall within the categories the instructions treat as reportable. The treatment of a specific transfer depends on the facts.

Are owner distributions reportable?

Distributions from the entity to its foreign owner are likewise within the reportable categories for a disregarded entity.

Is paying an LLC bill from my personal card reportable?

A payment made by the owner on behalf of the entity is a related-party amount and is commonly reportable. It is one of the most frequently missed items.

What is the Form 5472 deadline?

It follows the due date of the pro forma Form 1120 it is attached to — generally 15 April following a calendar tax year, moving to the next business day when that date falls on a weekend or legal holiday.

Can the Form 5472 deadline be extended?

An extension of time to file the pro forma Form 1120, requested by the original due date, also extends the attached information return. An extension does not remove the requirement.

The IRS form used to request an automatic extension of time to file certain business returns, including the return the Form 5472 is attached to.

What is the Form 5472 penalty?

Failure to file when required, or filing a substantially incomplete form, can result in a $25,000 penalty per form per tax year, subject to the applicable rules and circumstances, with additional amounts possible if failure continues after IRS notice.

Is the penalty automatic?

It is not assessed in every case, and reasonable-cause relief may be available depending on the facts. It should not be assumed either way.

Can Form 5472 be filed electronically?

A foreign-owned disregarded entity submitting a pro forma Form 1120 with Form 5472 attached does not use the ordinary individual e-file route. Our workflow submits the package to the IRS via online fax.

How is the filing submitted in your service?

The completed Form 5472 and pro forma Form 1120 are submitted to the IRS via online fax, and the transmission confirmation is stored with the filing in your dashboard.

Why is a pro forma Form 1120 involved?

The information return needs a cover return. For a foreign-owned disregarded entity, a pro forma Form 1120 is completed only to the extent required and carries the Form 5472.

Who signs the pro forma Form 1120?

The client reviews the prepared filing and signs the pro forma Form 1120 before submission. It is the document that contains the applicable signature and paid preparer information.

Does Form 5472 itself carry paid preparer information?

The applicable paid preparer information appears on the pro forma Form 1120, not on the information return. The two documents are conceptually separate.

A Preparer Tax Identification Number: an IRS-issued identification number for paid tax return preparers. Holding one is an identification requirement, not an IRS endorsement, approval or certification.

Do I need an EIN for the LLC?

Yes. The reporting entity is identified by its EIN, so the filing generally cannot be completed without one.

Does Form 5472 mean I owe US tax?

No. It is an information return. Whether US income tax arises is a separate question depending on US-source income and whether there is a US trade or business.

Can I file previous years?

Yes. Each tax year is prepared as its own filing with its own forms. Unfiled prior years are generally better handled deliberately than left open.

Do you prepare a reasonable cause letter for late Form 5472 filings?

Yes. If your Form 5472 filing is late, we review the circumstances and, when appropriate, prepare a reasonable cause statement at no additional charge. This also applies to eligible prior tax years.

Does the reasonable cause letter guarantee that the $25,000 penalty will be removed?

No. A reasonable cause statement does not guarantee penalty relief. The IRS makes the final determination based on the facts and circumstances of the case.

Is the reasonable cause statement included for prior-year filings?

Yes. For eligible late prior-year Form 5472 filings, preparation of a reasonable cause statement is included at no additional charge when appropriate.

How does 5472forYOU prepare the filing?

You complete an eligibility check and a questionnaire and upload supporting documents. A US tax professional prepares and reviews Form 5472 and the pro forma Form 1120 for your tax year.

Standard is $199 and Expert is $299 per filing year. Pricing is shown on the homepage before you start.

What happens after payment?

The prepared Form 5472 and pro forma Form 1120 are unlocked in your dashboard for review. You confirm the Form 5472 information, sign the pro forma Form 1120, and we submit the package.

What documents will I receive?

The completed Form 5472, the pro forma Form 1120, and the confirmation of the submission sent to the IRS.

Do you handle state filings?

No. We focus on this federal filing. State obligations such as annual reports and registered agent requirements are set by your formation state.

Form 5472 reference

Form 5472 Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who needs to file Form 5472?

Generally a US disregarded entity wholly owned by a foreign person that had at least one reportable transaction in the tax year, and certain 25% foreign-owned US corporations under their own rules.

Short answers to the questions foreign owners of US LLCs ask most often, with links to the fuller guides where a topic needs more room.

Written and reviewed by Michal Zacik, US Tax Professional · Last updated 2026-09-01

Start here

If you are working out whether the requirement applies to you at all, read who needs to file. For the mechanics of preparing and submitting a filing, see how to file Form 5472. For background on what the form is, start with the pillar guide.

Frequently asked questions

Written and reviewed by Michal Zacik

US Tax Professional · IRS PTIN Holder · PTIN: P03281868

Over 10 years in US corporate tax and more than 7 years working with nonresident taxation. A PTIN is a paid tax preparer identification number issued by the IRS; it is not an IRS endorsement, approval or certification. This page is general information, not tax or legal advice for your specific situation.

Sources

Rules can change and many situations have exceptions. Where guidance is nuanced, the IRS instructions above control.

Related guides

What is Form 5472?

The information return behind the requirement, and how it fits with the pro forma Form 1120.

Who needs to file Form 5472?

The three questions that decide whether the requirement applies to your LLC.

How to file Form 5472

Step by step, from identifying related parties to submitting the completed package.

Late Form 5472 filing

Late and prior-year filings, and how a reasonable cause statement works.

No upfront payment to get started.

We prepare your filing first. Once it is ready, payment is required before you review the completed documents, sign the pro forma Form 1120 and authorize submission to the IRS.

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