Filing Form 5472 for a foreign-owned single-member LLC with simple transactions (opening deposit, annual state fees) is a 3-hour DIY project. Here is the exact step-by-step for 2026.
Prerequisites
- EIN (Employer Identification Number) for your LLC
- List of every reportable transaction during the tax year
- Full legal name, address, and country of residence for each foreign related party
- Blank Form 1120 (2025 version, effective for 2025 tax year) — download from irs.gov
- Blank Form 5472 (2025 version) — download from irs.gov
Step 1: Get EIN (If You Don't Have One)
Non-residents cannot use IRS online EIN application. Two methods:
- Fax: complete Form SS-4, fax to +1-855-215-1627. Turnaround 4-6 weeks in 2026.
- Phone: call +1-267-941-1099 (International Line, Mon-Fri 6am-11pm ET). Talk to agent, receive EIN in ~30 min. Note: line often busy; multiple attempts common.
Free. Don't pay a service $250-500 for what you can do yourself.
Step 2: Prepare Pro-Forma Form 1120
Form 1120 is normally the US Corporate Tax Return. For your Form 5472 attachment purpose, you file a pro-forma version — only identifying information, no income/deductions.
- Page 1 header: Company name, address, EIN, tax year dates, date incorporated
- Item G: Check "Foreign-owned U.S. DE" (disregarded entity)
- Items A-H, K: Fill identifying info only
- Lines 1-30 (Income): Leave blank or enter zero
- Lines 30-31 (Tax and Payments): Leave blank or enter zero
- Signature block: sign as owner, date, and provide phone number
Do not compute or pay tax. Do not attach schedules other than Form 5472.
Step 3: Complete Form 5472
One Form 5472 per foreign related party. For most single-member LLCs, that's one form for you.
Part I — Reporting Corporation
- Your LLC's name, EIN, address
- Country of incorporation (US), state (Wyoming/Delaware/etc.)
- Principal business activity code (6-digit NAICS)
- Total value of gross payments made or received during the year (typically small for a new LLC)
- Total assets (LLC's cash + any other assets at year end)
Part II — Foreign Related Party
- Your full legal name
- Your address (residence country)
- Your country of citizenship or organization (for individuals: your citizenship; for entities: your country of formation)
- Principal country where business is conducted (typically your residence country)
- Reference ID number (self-assigned; use passport-country + national ID format)
Part IV — Monetary Transactions Between Reporting Corp and Foreign Related Party
List every reportable transaction by category. For most simple cases:
- Line 8 (Capital contributions received): amount you deposited to LLC bank account
- Line 12 (Distributions paid): amount LLC distributed back to you
- Line 24 (Loans made to LLC): amount of any owner loans
- Line 25 (Loans made by LLC): amount of any loans LLC made to you
Step 4: Attach 5472 to 1120
Physically attach Form 5472 to Form 1120 with a staple or paperclip. Both go in the same envelope.
Step 5: Mail to IRS Ogden
Mailing address (2026):
Internal Revenue Service
Ogden, UT 84201-0011
USA
E-filing is not supported for Form 5472 as of 2026. Use certified mail with return receipt for proof of timely filing. Cost: ~$8-15 for international certified mail.
Step 6: Keep Records
Retain copies of:
- Form 1120 and Form 5472 (signed copies)
- Certified mail receipt (proof of timely filing)
- Supporting documents for reportable transactions (bank statements, contracts, invoices)
Retention period: 4 years minimum (IRS assessment period), 6 years recommended.
Common Errors
- Filing 5472 without 1120 (rejected)
- Using LLC's tax year different from calendar year without valid fiscal year election
- Omitting reportable transactions (opening deposit forgotten)
- Wrong country codes for foreign related party
- Missing signature (both 5472 and 1120 need to be signed)