If I don't owe corporate tax, why file Form 1120?

Because Form 5472 by itself isn't a valid submission. The IRS requires it to be attached to Form 1120 as an information envelope.

Is Form 1120 the same as Form 1120-S?

No. Form 1120-S is for S-corporations. You file pro forma 1120 (not 1120-S) for a foreign-owned disregarded LLC.

Do I file Form 1040 too?

Only if you have US-source income personally requiring you to file 1040-NR. Most foreign LLC owners with no US trade or business don't need 1040-NR.

Form 5472 + 1120 filing service

Form 5472 vs Form 1120 — What's the Difference?

Form 5472 and Form 1120 are two separate IRS forms that foreign-owned US LLCs must file together. Form 1120 is the US corporate income tax return. Form 5472 is an information return about related-party transactions. For most foreign-owned single-member LLCs, the 1120 is filed "pro forma" — meaning most boxes are blank.

100% money-back if we fail to submit · 15-minute filing

What is Form 1120?

Form 1120 (U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return) is the standard tax return that domestic corporations use to report income, deductions, and calculate corporate income tax. For a real C-corporation, it's a 6-page tax calculation. For a foreign-owned US single-member LLC, your LLC is treated as a disregarded entity — meaning it doesn't pay corporate income tax. So you file the form "pro forma" with only the identification fields completed and "Foreign-Owned U.S. DE" written across the top.

What is Form 5472?

Form 5472 (Information Return of a 25% Foreign-Owned U.S. Corporation) is an information return — meaning it reports transactions but does NOT calculate tax. It's specifically designed for cases where a foreign person owns 25% or more of a US corporation or disregarded entity. It reports things like: capital you contributed to the LLC, distributions you took out, payments to or from related parties.

Why both?

Form 5472 by itself isn't a valid IRS submission. The IRS requires it to be attached to a tax return. For foreign-owned disregarded entities, the IRS chose Form 1120 as the attachment vehicle — even though the LLC doesn't owe corporate income tax. Think of it like an envelope: the 1120 is the envelope, the 5472 is the letter inside. The IRS won't accept the letter without the envelope.

What information goes on each form?

Form 1120 (pro forma version for foreign-owned DEs): • Entity name, EIN, address • Total assets at year-end • "Foreign-Owned U.S. DE" stamp at the top • Most other fields: blank Form 5472: • Reporting corporation info (your LLC) • 25% foreign shareholder info (you) • Related party info • Monetary and reportable transactions • Supporting statements

Does this trigger US corporate income tax?

No. Filing pro forma Form 1120 does NOT make your LLC subject to US corporate income tax. The LLC remains a disregarded entity for tax purposes. The 1120 is just the procedural vehicle for filing Form 5472. Tax on LLC profits (if any) flows through to you personally, taxable in your home country.

Skip the work — file in 15 minutes.

We generate every form, you sign one PDF, we fax it to the IRS Ogden PIN Unit. Flat $49.00 + $19.00 fax delivery.

Filled IRS Form 5472 + pro forma 1120
Reasonable cause statement (if late)
Faxed to IRS Ogden PIN Unit
100% money-back guarantee

Frequently asked questions

If I don't owe corporate tax, why file Form 1120?: Because Form 5472 by itself isn't a valid submission. The IRS requires it to be attached to Form 1120 as an information envelope.
Is Form 1120 the same as Form 1120-S?: No. Form 1120-S is for S-corporations. You file pro forma 1120 (not 1120-S) for a foreign-owned disregarded LLC.
Do I file Form 1040 too?: Only if you have US-source income personally requiring you to file 1040-NR. Most foreign LLC owners with no US trade or business don't need 1040-NR.