Form 5472 line-by-line map for a foreign-owned U.S. DE
A line-by-line review map for the supported foreign-owned U.S. disregarded entity packet, not a substitute for IRS instructions.
Summary
For the supported foreign-owned U.S. DE lane, Form 5472 review starts with Part I entity facts, Part II foreign owner facts, Part III related-party facts, and Part V simple owner-capital activity. Parts IV, VI, VII, VIII, and IX often signal unsupported transactions, import, FDII, loans, debt, base erosion, or cost-sharing issues that should stop the product workflow.
This is a supported-lane map, not a full Form 5472 preparation service.
| Supported map | Parts I, II, III, simple Part VOnly for clean user-entered facts. |
|---|---|
| Hard-stop parts | IV, VI, VIII, IXComplex transaction categories are outside scope. |
| User task | Review official formThe IRS form and instructions control. |
Part I: reporting corporation facts
For this product, Part I starts with the domestic single-member LLC treated as a foreign-owned U.S. DE: legal name, address, EIN, tax year, principal activity facts, total forms filed, and the foreign-owned U.S. DE checkbox.
The lines that matter in the simple lane
Checked against the Instructions for Form 5472 (Rev. December 2024) on October 28, 2026.
| Line | What to enter |
|---|---|
| 1c | Total assets (for a domestic reporting corporation, from Form 1120, page 1, item D) |
| 1d and 1e | Principal business activity and its code, from the Form 1120 instructions list |
| 1f | Total value of foreign related party transactions; for a foreign-owned U.S. DE, Part V amounts are included |
| 1g | Number of Forms 5472 filed for the year, including this one (one per related party) |
| 1h | Total of line 1f across all Forms 5472 filed for the year |
| 1j | Check if this is the first year the LLC files Form 5472 |
| 1o | Principal country or countries of business; never "worldwide" |
| 3 | Check: foreign-owned U.S. DE |
| 4b(1) | The owner's SSN or ITIN, if any (an EIN is entered for entity owners, not individuals) |
| 4b(2) | Reference ID number, required only if 4b(1) is blank: alphanumeric, no spaces or special characters, 50 characters maximum |
| Part V | Check the box and attach a statement of contributions and distributions |
Example: $10,000 contributed and $3,000 distributed in the year gives $13,000 on line 1f, and line 1h is also $13,000 when this is the only Form 5472.
Part II and Part III: owner and related party
The supported lane narrows the owner and related-party facts to one foreign individual who directly owns 100% of the U.S. single-member LLC. Indirect owners, foreign companies, trusts, nominees, and multiple owners stop the workflow.
Part V: simple foreign-owned U.S. DE activity
Part V is where the clean owner-capital lane belongs: formation, contributions, distributions, or zero owner-capital activity with records ready. Ambiguous activity should not be forced into a routine packet.
Parts that usually stop this product
Parts IV, VI, VII, VIII, and IX can involve sales, services, rents, royalties, loans, insurance, imports, FDII, debt instruments, cost sharing, nonmonetary transfers, base erosion, or transfer-pricing questions. Those are outside scope.
Next steps
Common questions
Does this page explain every Form 5472 line?
No. It maps the clean foreign-owned U.S. DE lane supported by Form 5472 Desk. Lines tied to complex transactions, transfer pricing, imports, FDII, cost sharing, debt, or base erosion are outside scope.
Can I use the line map instead of the IRS instructions?
No. The official IRS form and instructions control. This page only helps users understand which parts are relevant to the narrow product lane.
What is the reference ID number on Form 5472?
A number your LLC assigns to the foreign owner when the owner has no SSN or ITIN to enter on line 4b(1). You do not apply to the IRS for it. It must be alphanumeric, without spaces or special characters, up to 50 characters, and should stay the same from year to year.
Where do I find the principal business activity code (lines 1d and 1e)?
In the list of principal business activities and codes in the Instructions for Form 1120 (or Form 1120-F). Enter both the description and the code.
What goes on line 1o?
The principal country or countries where the LLC conducts business. Do not write "worldwide" instead of listing them, and leave out countries where business is conducted only through a subsidiary.
Does Form 5472 Desk file with the IRS?
No. It prepares a self-review packet and checklist. The user reviews, signs where required, and files through the official IRS mail or fax path.
Does this product provide tax advice?
No. It is self-help software for a narrow packet-preparation lane. Treaty positions, ECI analysis, transfer pricing, reasonable cause, notices, and representation are outside scope.
Run the strict Form 5472 checker
Check whether the facts fit the foreign individual, 100% single-member LLC, disregarded entity, current on-time packet lane before preparing anything.
Open checkerRelated guides
Foreign-owned LLC Form 5472 filing guide
A narrow source-linked guide for foreign-owned single-member LLC owners checking the Form 5472 plus pro forma Form 1120 filing lane.
Form 5472 filing requirements for a foreign-owned LLC
Who must file Form 5472, how foreign-owned U.S. disregarded entity rules fit a single-member LLC, and where the Form 5472 Desk lane stops.
Can Form 5472 be e-filed online for a foreign-owned U.S. DE?
A clear e-file answer for foreign-owned U.S. disregarded entities, with the safer route back to the IRS mail/fax checklist.
Official sources for this guide
Last reviewed: .