Form 5472 guide
Form 5472 vs. Form 1120
These are two different documents with two different jobs. Form 5472 is an information return about transactions with related parties. Form 1120 is the US corporate income tax return. A foreign-owned US disregarded entity submits a pro forma Form 1120 as the cover that carries its Form 5472.
Written and reviewed by Michal Zacik, US Tax Professional · Last updated 2026-09-01
Form 5472
An information return covering reportable transactions involving certain foreign-owned US corporations and, since tax years beginning in 2017, foreign-owned US disregarded entities treated as corporations for this purpose. It identifies the reporting entity, the related party, and the categories and amounts of transactions between them. It calculates no tax.
Form 1120 and the pro forma Form 1120
Form 1120 is the U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return. A regular corporation files it to report income and compute tax. A foreign-owned disregarded entity is not filing a corporate income tax return — it submits a pro forma Form 1120, completed only to the extent the instructions require, so that the attached Form 5472 has a proper cover document and a place for the required signature information.
Side by side
| Form 5472 | Pro forma Form 1120 | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Report related-party transactions | Cover return that carries Form 5472 |
| Type | Information return | Income tax return form, used pro forma here |
| Computes tax? | No | Not for a disregarded entity filing pro forma |
| Signature / preparer info | Not the document that carries it | Contains the applicable signature and paid preparer information |
| Filed alone? | No — attached to the pro forma return | Submitted together with Form 5472 |
They are not interchangeable
Submitting one without the other does not satisfy the requirement for this entity type. Equally, the presence of a Form 1120 in your package does not mean your LLC is being taxed as a corporation — the pro forma return exists to carry the information return, nothing more.
What you will see in your 5472forYOU package
- The prepared Form 5472 for the tax year
- The pro forma Form 1120 that carries it, with the applicable paid preparer information
- The confirmation of the submission sent to the IRS via online fax
The order of events is set out in how to file Form 5472.
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
- IRS — Instructions for Form 5472
- IRS — Instructions for Form 1120
- IRS — Single member limited liability companies
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.
How to file Form 5472
Step by step, from identifying related parties to submitting the completed package.
Form 5472 deadline
Original due date, Form 7004 extensions, and what late filing means.
Form 5472 FAQ
Short answers to the questions foreign LLC owners ask most.
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.