Apr 15
due (calendar year)
$25,000
penalty per failure
Fax/mail
no e-filing for foreign-owned DEs
Who must file Form 5472
A domestic disregarded entity that is wholly owned by one foreign person — the classic “single-member LLC owned by a non-resident” — is treated as a corporation for Form 5472 purposes. If it had a reportable transaction with a related party during the year, it must file Form 5472 attached to a pro forma Form 1120.
What counts as a reportable transaction
- The owner contributes money to form or fund the LLC.
- The LLC pays the owner, or the owner takes money out (distributions).
- The owner pays LLC expenses personally, or the LLC pays the owner’s.
- Loans, sales, services or rents between the LLC and the owner or related companies.
See the IRS instructions for the full list and how to report each amount.
Due date
| Tax year | Due date | With Form 7004 extension |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | April 15, 2026 | October 15, 2026 |
| 2026 | April 15, 2027 | October 15, 2027 |
The $25,000 penalty
Failing to file Form 5472 on time — or to keep the records it requires — triggers a $25,000 penalty. If the failure continues for more than 90 days after the IRS notifies you, an additional $25,000 applies for each 30-day period. Filing a substantially incomplete form counts as a failure to file.
How to file Form 5472
- Confirm you must file. Your US LLC has a single foreign owner and is disregarded for tax, and it had a reportable transaction with a related party during the year — for example, the owner contributed money to set it up, paid its expenses or took money out.
- Get the LLC’s EIN. The return is filed under the LLC’s EIN. Non-US owners without an SSN or ITIN can get one by phone or by faxing Form SS-4.
- Complete a pro forma Form 1120. Fill in only the name, address and items B and E on page 1, and write “Foreign-owned U.S. DE” across the top.
- Complete Form 5472. Report the foreign owner’s details and the dollar amounts of transactions between the LLC and its related parties.
- Fax or mail it by the due date. Foreign-owned disregarded entities can’t e-file Form 5472. Fax to 855-887-7737 or mail to the IRS in Ogden, Utah, by the Form 1120 due date — April 15 for calendar years, or October 15 with a Form 7004 extension.
Get help
Many non-US owners use a formation service or accountant that handles Form 5472 each year. Banks that accept non-US owners: see our comparison.
1-800Accountant
Free consultation
- Free consultation
- Year-round team: tax preparer, bookkeeper, payroll specialist and advisor
- Handles quarterly estimated taxes and audit defense
Watch out: Pricing is quoted after the consultation
Mercury
$0/mo
- $0 monthly fee, no minimum balance, no opening fees
- Free ACH and free domestic wires, sent and received
- Free outgoing USD international wires
Watch out: No cash deposits
Lili
$0/mo (Pro $15, Smart $35, Premium $55)
- No SSN required — open with a foreign passport and EIN
- Supported countries include much of Latin America
- $0 Core plan with no minimum deposit
Watch out: International wires cost $25 out / $15 in
General information from IRS publications, not tax advice. Your situation may differ — confirm with a CPA or enrolled agent before you act. Verified October 18, 2026. We may earn a commission if you sign up through our links, at no cost to you. How we’re funded.
Frequently asked questions
Who has to file Form 5472?
Among others, a foreign-owned US disregarded entity — typically a single-member LLC owned by a non-US person — that had a reportable transaction with a related party during the year. It’s treated as a corporation for this purpose and files Form 5472 attached to a pro forma Form 1120.
What is the penalty for not filing Form 5472?
$25,000 for each failure to file on time or to keep the required records. If the failure continues more than 90 days after the IRS notifies you, another $25,000 applies for each 30-day period. A substantially incomplete form counts as not filing.
When is Form 5472 due?
With the pro forma Form 1120: the 15th day of the 4th month after the tax year ends — April 15 for calendar years — or by the extended date if you file Form 7004 (generally 6 months, to October 15).
Do I need to file Form 5472 if my LLC had no income?
Income doesn’t decide it — reportable transactions do. Contributing money to the LLC, the LLC paying your expenses or you taking money out are typical related-party transactions, so most foreign-owned LLCs have something to report in any year they were active.
Can I e-file Form 5472?
Not for a foreign-owned US disregarded entity. The IRS instructions say these filers can’t file Form 5472 electronically; fax it to 855-887-7737 or mail it.
Does a multi-member LLC file Form 5472?
A multi-member LLC is a partnership by default and files Form 1065 instead; Form 5472 applies to corporations and foreign-owned disregarded entities.
Your LLC setup checklist
- Get a free EINFrom the IRS, in minutes online.
- Open a business bank accountKeep LLC money apart from yours to protect the liability shield.
- Sign an operating agreementSettle who owns and decides what before it matters.
- Get business insuranceCover what the LLC itself doesn’t protect.
- Track state deadlinesFree reminders before each filing.
Everything in one list: printable LLC compliance checklist · live deadline calendar.