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Foreign-owned businesses

Foreign-owned LLC taxes, done right — including Form 5472

If you own a U.S. LLC and live abroad, the rules are stricter than most people are told — and the penalties for missing them start at $25,000. We handle the full compliance picture for non-resident owners, clearly and on time.

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A U.S. LLC owned by a non-resident is one of the most misunderstood setups in the tax system. Many owners are told an LLC is "tax-free" if they have no U.S. income — and they're often right about the income tax. But that's not the part that gets them in trouble.

The trap is reporting. A foreign-owned single-member LLC is treated as a "disregarded entity" that must file Form 5472 together with a pro-forma Form 1120 every year, reporting transactions between you and your own company. Miss it, file it late, or file it wrong, and the penalty starts at $25,000 — per year. Most general preparers have never touched this form.

We have. We handle foreign-owned LLC compliance as a core part of our practice, so you get the filings done correctly, on schedule, by a licensed professional who can also represent you before the IRS if a question ever comes up.

The big one: a foreign-owned single-member LLC almost always has to file Form 5472 — even with zero profit and zero U.S. tax owed. "No tax due" does not mean "nothing to file."

Who this is for

What we handle

Form 5472 + pro-forma 1120

Prepared and filed correctly and on time — the filing most owners don't know they owe.

EIN without an SSN

We obtain your federal tax ID even if you have no Social Security Number.

Effectively connected income review

We assess whether your activity actually creates a U.S. tax liability — many assume wrong in both directions.

Catch-up & back filings

Missed a year? We help you get current and, where possible, address penalties.

How it works

Simple, even from another country

1

Reach out

Tell us about your LLC and where you're based.

2

We review

We map exactly what you must file and by when.

3

We prepare

Forms done correctly, explained in your language.

4

Filed & safe

We file and keep you compliant year after year.

Common questions

My LLC made no money. Do I still have to file?

Almost certainly yes. A foreign-owned single-member LLC generally must file Form 5472 with a pro-forma 1120 even with no income and no tax due. The filing reports transactions between you and the company, not just profit.

What's the penalty if I don't file Form 5472?

It starts at $25,000 per form, per year, and can grow if it stays unaddressed. That's why this is worth getting right from the start — or fixing quickly if you've missed a year.

Can you get me an EIN if I don't have an SSN?

Yes. Non-residents without a Social Security Number can still obtain an EIN for their company, and we handle that process for you.

Do I owe U.S. income tax on my LLC?

It depends on whether your income is "effectively connected" to a U.S. trade or business. Many owners get this wrong in both directions — we assess your specific situation rather than guessing.

I've already missed filings. Is it too late?

No. It's better to get current as soon as possible. We help with catch-up filings and, where the facts allow, addressing penalties.

Worried about Form 5472? Let's sort it out.

Free consultation, in your language. We reply within one business day.

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