International tax compliance
Form 5472 filing for foreign-owned U.S. LLCs.
A foreign-owned single-member U.S. LLC can have an annual IRS information filing even when it has no U.S. income, no employees and no income tax due.
We prepare Form 5472 with the required pro forma Form 1120 for current and delinquent years.
A filing obligation that can exist even when no tax is due
Form 5472 is an information return. For a foreign-owned U.S. disregarded entity, the obligation is generally triggered by ownership and reportable transactions — not by whether the LLC made a profit.
The filing identifies the foreign owner and reports transactions between the LLC and its owner or other related parties. These transactions can include money contributed to start or fund the company, distributions back to the owner, loans, expenses paid personally on the LLC's behalf, and certain fees or payments.
Form 5472 is generally attached to a limited pro forma Form 1120. That cover return is not the same as preparing a full corporate income tax return for an operating corporation.
The late-filing exposure is significant. The initial penalty for a late, incomplete or missing Form 5472 can be $25,000 for each required return. Each filing year is a separate obligation, and additional penalties can apply after IRS notice.
For a detailed explanation of who files and what is reported, see our Form 5472 filing guide and foreign-owned LLC reporting guide.
Included in the filing service
The required returns, the transaction reporting, and CPA review of the filing package.
Form 5472
Identification of the foreign owner and reporting of qualifying transactions with the owner or another related party.
Pro forma Form 1120
The limited corporate cover return used to submit Form 5472 for a foreign-owned disregarded entity.
Transaction classification
Contributions, distributions, loans, owner-paid expenses and related-party fees organized into the required reporting categories.
Current-year filing
$599. Preparation of one Form 5472 and the pro forma Form 1120, filed on time or on a timely extension.
Delinquent filing
$700 per year. Preparation of each prior year that needs to be brought current.
CPA review
Cases with multiple related parties, more than one required Form 5472, or unusual facts are reviewed and quoted before payment.
Clear pricing and a short path to the right filing
You should not have to complete a long tax organizer just to learn whether the service fits or what it costs.
First, schedule a 30-minute call. We confirm the LLC's filing requirement, the years involved and whether the standard scope applies.
Then, receive a fixed fee. Current-year and delinquent pricing is shown on this page. If the facts are more involved, we confirm the additional scope before any work begins.
After you engage us, complete the secure intake. That is when we collect the detailed owner, transaction and document information needed to prepare the returns.
Standard pricing assumes one foreign owner or related party and one Form 5472 per filing year. An EIN application can be added for $350. No payment is collected automatically when the facts fall outside the standard scope.
Frequently asked questions
Can an LLC have a filing requirement even if it had no income?
Yes. A foreign-owned U.S. disregarded entity can have an information-reporting obligation even when it earned no income and owes no U.S. income tax. Ownership and reportable transactions — not taxable profit — usually drive the filing requirement.
What transactions may need to be reported?
Reportable transactions can include capital contributions, distributions, loans, owner-paid expenses, and certain payments or fees involving the foreign owner or another related party.
Why is a pro forma Form 1120 included?
For a foreign-owned U.S. disregarded entity, Form 5472 is generally attached to a limited pro forma Form 1120. The Form 1120 acts as the filing cover; it is not the same as a full corporate income tax return for an operating corporation.
What happens if the filing is late?
The initial penalty for failing to file a complete and correct Form 5472 can be $25,000 for each required return. Additional penalties can apply when a failure continues after IRS notice.
Can you prepare more than one delinquent year?
Yes. The initial questions identify the years involved. Standard delinquent filings are priced at $700 for each year in scope.
What if the LLC has transactions with more than one related party?
Standard pricing covers one foreign owner or related party and one Form 5472 per filing year. If another related party is involved or more than one Form 5472 may be required, the matter is routed for CPA review so scope and pricing can be confirmed before payment.
What happens after the call?
We confirm the filing years, scope and fee. If you decide to proceed, the detailed filing questions and document uploads come after engagement through a secure intake.
How is my information handled?
Information and uploads are transmitted and stored using service providers with SOC 2-audited security controls. Access is limited to the information needed to prepare and deliver the filing. See our Privacy Policy.
FORM 5472 FILING
Talk to a CPA about the filing before completing an organizer
Bring the LLC formation date, ownership details and the filing years you are concerned about. Thirty minutes is usually enough to confirm the likely filing requirement, scope and fee.