Form 5472 Explained: The Yearly Filing Every Foreign-Owned LLC Needs
A foreign-owned single-member LLC files Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 every year, even with no income. Deadline, penalty and steps.
Does a foreign-owned LLC have to file Form 5472?
Yes. A U.S. single-member LLC owned by a foreign person must file Form 5472 attached to a pro forma Form 1120 for every year in which it had a reportable transaction with its owner, such as money put into or taken out of the company. For calendar year companies it is due on April 15, and the penalty for not filing is $25,000.
1Who must file
Any U.S. disregarded entity that is wholly owned by one foreign person, and U.S. corporations that are at least 25% foreign owned. For most Be Filing clients this means a single-member LLC owned by a non-resident.
2What counts as a reportable transaction
- Money you put into the company, including the amount used to pay formation costs
- Money the company pays or distributes to you
- Loans between you and the company
- Payments to related companies you own
Because paying for the formation itself is a transaction, almost every foreign-owned LLC has something to report in its first year.
3How it is filed
- Prepare a pro forma Form 1120 with the company name, address and EIN. Only a few lines are completed.
- Attach Form 5472 with the owner details and the transaction amounts.
- Send the package to the IRS by mail or fax using the address and number in the form instructions. This filing is not submitted through normal electronic filing. See our step by step filing guide.
- Keep proof of delivery and a copy of everything you sent.
4Deadline and extension
The filing is due on April 15 for companies that use the calendar year. Form 7004 gives an automatic six month extension when it is filed on time.
5The penalty
The IRS can charge $25,000 for each Form 5472 that is late, incomplete or not filed. If the failure continues for more than 90 days after an IRS notice, another $25,000 is added for each 30 day period. Read more in our Form 5472 penalty guide.
Zero income does not mean zero filing. This is the most common and most expensive mistake foreign LLC owners make.
Official sources
Be Filing Inc is an IRS Certifying Acceptance Agent. This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice, and rules can change. Last reviewed in November 2026.
Quick questions, answered
Short, direct answers. If yours is not here, NIA or our team will help.
Ask on WhatsAppDo I file Form 5472 if my LLC had no sales?
Yes, when any reportable transaction took place, such as paying formation costs or adding money to the company.
Does a multi-member LLC file Form 5472?
A multi-member LLC taxed as a partnership files Form 1065 instead.
Do I need an ITIN to file Form 5472?
No. The form asks for the foreign owner's details, and an ITIN is not required for it.
How much does Be Filing charge for Form 5472?
Form 5472 with the pro forma Form 1120 is a fixed fee service. See the current price on our tax preparation page.
Related guides
Form 5472 Penalty: The $25,000 Fine and How to Avoid It
Read the guide
How to File Form 5472 and Pro Forma 1120: Step by Step
Read the guide
Form 1040-NR: Who Files It, Deadlines and What You Need
Read the guideWant your U.S. tax forms filed correctly?
Our tax team prepares Form 5472, Form 1040-NR, Form 1065 and state reports for a fixed fee.
