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How to File Form 5472 for a Foreign-Owned U.S. LLC

Last updated October 27, 2026

Quick answer

Form 5472 is an IRS information return that reports transactions between a U.S. company and its foreign owner or other related parties. Every U.S. single-member LLC owned by a foreign person, and every U.S. corporation that is at least 25% foreign-owned, must file it for each year with reportable transactions — even with no income. A foreign-owned single-member LLC attaches it to a pro forma Form 1120, due April 15 for calendar-year companies. The penalty for not filing starts at $25,000.

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Who needs Form 5472

• U.S. single-member LLCs (disregarded entities) owned by a foreign individual or foreign company

• U.S. corporations that are at least 25% owned, directly or indirectly, by a foreign person

• Foreign corporations engaged in a trade or business in the United States

Form 5472 at a glance

Deadline

15th day of the 4th month after the tax year ends — April 15 for calendar-year companies

Extension

Automatic 6 months with Form 7004, filed by the original deadline

Filed with

Form 1120 — a pro forma 1120 for foreign-owned single-member LLCs

How it is sent

A foreign-owned single-member LLC cannot e-file it; it is mailed or faxed to the IRS

Penalty

$25,000 per form, per year, plus $25,000 for each 30 days it stays unfiled after 90 days from an IRS notice

You need

The LLC’s EIN and the owner’s name, address, country and tax identification details

How to file Form 5472 step by step

1. Confirm the LLC has to file

If your U.S. LLC has a single foreign owner (or your corporation is 25%+ foreign-owned) and there was any reportable transaction with the owner during the year — including the owner funding the company or paying its fees — you must file.

2. Make sure the LLC has an EIN

Form 5472 and the pro forma 1120 are filed under the LLC’s Employer Identification Number. If you don’t have one yet, apply with Form SS-4 first.

3. Collect the owner and related-party details

Name, address, country of citizenship and residence, country where the owner does business, and tax identification numbers — a U.S. number if the owner has one, otherwise a foreign tax ID and a reference ID number.

4. Total the reportable transactions for the year

Add up money and property that moved between the LLC and its owner or related parties: capital contributions, distributions, loans, payments of the LLC’s expenses by the owner, sales, rents, royalties and service fees.

5. Prepare the pro forma Form 1120 and Form 5472

For a foreign-owned single-member LLC, only the identifying information on Form 1120 is completed, and “Foreign-owned U.S. DE” is written across the top. Form 5472 is attached with the owner and transaction details.

6. Sign and send it to the IRS on time

Send the package by mail or fax by the deadline, or file Form 7004 by the deadline to get six more months. Keep a copy and proof of submission.

Form 5472: frequently asked questions

Do I need to file Form 5472 if my LLC had no income?

Usually yes. The requirement is triggered by reportable transactions with the owner, not by income. Funding the LLC or paying its formation or state fees from the owner’s own money is itself a reportable transaction.

What is the penalty for not filing Form 5472?

The penalty is $25,000 for each form not filed, filed late, or filed incomplete, per tax year. If the failure continues more than 90 days after the IRS sends a notice, an additional $25,000 applies for each 30-day period.

Can I e-file Form 5472 for a foreign-owned single-member LLC?

No. The pro forma Form 1120 with Form 5472 for a foreign-owned disregarded entity cannot be e-filed; it is sent to the IRS by mail or fax. Filing Hive prepares the full package and can fax it to the IRS for you.

What is a pro forma Form 1120?

It is a Form 1120 on which only the company’s name, address, EIN and a few identifying items are completed, with “Foreign-owned U.S. DE” written across the top. It serves as the cover return that carries Form 5472 — no income or tax is reported on it.

Does the foreign owner need an SSN or ITIN?

No. The LLC needs an EIN, but an owner without a U.S. taxpayer number can report a foreign tax identification number and a reference ID number instead.

Can I get more time to file Form 5472?

Yes. Filing Form 7004 by the original due date gives an automatic six-month extension for the pro forma 1120 and Form 5472 — to October 15 for calendar-year companies.

This guide is general information about IRS requirements, not tax or legal advice. Rules and amounts can change — check the current IRS instructions or a tax professional for your situation. How we write our guides