Form 5472 is an IRS information return that reports transactions between a foreign-owned U.S. single-member LLC and its foreign owner or other related parties. If you're a non-U.S. person (individual, corporation, or other entity) who owns a U.S. single-member LLC that had any reportable transactions during the year, you're required to file. Reportable transactions include capital contributions, distributions, loans, and even paying your LLC's registered agent or state filing fees.

The penalty for failure to file — or for filing a substantially incomplete return — is ⚠ $25,000 per form, per year. If the failure continues more than 90 days after IRS notification, an additional $25,000 applies for each 30-day period. These penalties are assessed automatically and the IRS has been increasing enforcement in recent years.

Yes. Income isn't the trigger — reportable transactions are. If you contributed any money to your LLC, paid any expense on its behalf (registered agent, state fees, website hosting, etc.), or moved any money or property between yourself and the LLC, you have a filing obligation. Even the costs of forming the LLC count. If any transaction category totals $50,000 or less, a simplified reporting shortcut may apply. For LLCs with zero activity whatsoever, see our guide on dormant LLC filing requirements.

Three steps: (1) Answer our guided questionnaire — plain-language questions about your LLC, ownership, and transactions (about 15–20 minutes). (2) Review the completed Form 5472 and pro forma Form 1120 our system generates — Premium Package clients ($149) also receive a professional review of their return before submission. (3) Download your IRS-ready PDFs, sign, and submit. Free tier filers can mail their return directly to the IRS — we include the correct mailing address. Premium Package clients receive IRS e-fax delivery as part of the service.

For calendar-year filers, the deadline is April 15 following the end of the tax year. You can get an automatic extension to October 15 by filing Form 7004 before the April deadline. Missing April 15 without an extension on file can trigger penalties.

The IRS does not currently accept e-filing for Form 5472 attached to a pro forma 1120 for foreign-owned disregarded entities — it must be filed by mail. Our platform generates print-ready PDFs. We recommend sending via a trackable service (USPS Certified Mail, FedEx, UPS, or DHL) so you have proof of timely filing.

Our Form 5472 filing software is completely free to use. For those who want professional review and added peace of mind, our Premium Package is available for $149 — a fraction of what traditional tax firms typically charge ($500–$1,500+ per filing).

Yes. We use SSL/TLS encryption for data in transit and encrypted storage at rest. We comply with the GDPR (including a designated EU representative under Article 27) and never share your information with third parties for marketing purposes. Your tax data is treated with the same confidentiality you'd expect from a professional CPA firm.

Most traditional tax firms charge $500–$1,500+ to prepare a single Form 5472. Our Premium Package — which includes professional review, email support, IRS e-fax delivery, and audit assistance — is just $149. That's professional-grade compliance at a fraction of the typical cost. For straightforward filings — one LLC, one foreign owner, standard transactions — we're the clear cost-effective choice. If you have multiple entities or need advanced international tax planning, a full-service firm engagement may be more appropriate.

Yes — as long as your foreign-owned LLC exists and has reportable transactions (which nearly all active LLCs do), Form 5472 is due every year. Even minimal activity like paying a registered agent fee creates a filing obligation. The only way to stop the requirement is to formally dissolve the LLC.