Independent form guide. BrieflyGo is not affiliated with or endorsed by IRS, USCIS, SSA, DOL, or any U.S. government agency. Official forms are sourced from public government websites.
Official form guide
Form 5471-SE: 5471 (Schedule E)
IRS Form 5471 (Schedule E) is used to report income, war profits, and excess profits taxes paid or accrued by a foreign corporation attached to Form 5471. The form must be filed with the Department of the Treasury.
Need help with Form 5471-SE?
Open it in the AI Editor for field guidance, checks, and PDF export.
Need help? AI Editor guides you through every field of Form 5471-SE.
Start filling →Form Overview
IRS Form 5471-SE - 5471 (Schedule E)
IRS Form 5471 (Schedule E) is used to report income, war profits, and excess profits taxes paid or accrued by a foreign corporation attached to Form 5471. The form must be filed with the Department of the Treasury.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Ensure you use the current edition: Revision date must read 12/2021.
- 2Failing to enter the country code in Line 'a' when using codes 901j or RBT.
- 3Not listing all four lines of taxes paid/accrued in Part I, Section 1 (lines 1-4).
- 4Omitting reporting amounts on Schedule E-1 when filling out Part I, Section 2.
- 5Failing to report the total amount of PTEP for the group in Part I, Section 2, line 5, column (i).
Plain English
This form tells the IRS about the financial activity of a foreign company that is related to your U.S. tax filing. It details various taxes the foreign company paid or accrued, whether those taxes are allowed as credits or disallowed. This information helps the IRS correctly calculate your U.S. tax liability.
Submission Date
- Filing date: 2021-12-28 22:13:33
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
AI co-pilot
Fill it faster. Catch mistakes before you file.
What this form is for
- Use this form when a foreign corporation needs to report income, war profits, or excess profits taxes paid or accrued on its behalf.
- Do not use it when the entity filing is an individual person rather than a foreign corporation (though Part I and Schedule E-1/E-2 detail payments by various entities).
- Check Form 5471 instead when reporting the primary income, war profit, or excess profit taxes for that foreign corporation.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Reporting tax credits allowed
Used to detail specific taxes paid or accrued where a Foreign Tax Credit is permitted.
✓ Check lines 1 through 4 of Part I.
Electing exchange rate translation
Required if the entity elected to translate taxes using the payment date's exchange rate after December 31, 2004.
✓ Confirm 'Yes' or 'No' and state the election date.
Detailing disallowed credits
Used to list taxes for which a Foreign Tax Credit is not allowed, categorized by specific tax section.
✓ Ensure totals line up between functional currency and U.S. dollars.
Deadline or filing window
The form relates to taxes paid or accrued during a specific U.S. Tax Year of Payor Entity, which is reported on Part I. The official source does not state a specific due date following the tax year, but it governs reporting for that period.
Checklist
What you need before filling it out
Name of person filing
Name of person filing · Form 5471 / Schedule E
EIN (if any) for Corporation
EIN or Reference ID Number · Part I, Line (b) / Part II & III, Lines (b)
Part I: Tax Paid/Accrued Amount
Local Currency Code and amount · Part I, Line (j)
Schedule E-1: Beginning Balance
Prior year Schedule E-1 data · Schedule E-1, Line 1a
Part II: Election Date
The specific date of election under section 986(a)(1)(D) · Part II (Schedule E)
Schedule E-2: Total in U.S. Dollars
Translated amount using average exchange rate · Schedule E-2, Line 4
Before you submit
- 1Verify the Name of person filing and their Identifying number are correctly entered on Part I.
- 2Confirm that if code 901j is used in line (a), the sanctioned country code is provided in line (b).
- 3Check that if an RBT code is used in line (a), the treaty country code is provided in line (c) of Part I.
- 4Ensure all entries in Part I have a corresponding Country/U.S. Possession Code entered on line (d).
- 5On Schedule E-1, confirm that Line 16 balances to zero across columns (a), (b), and (c).
- 6Verify that the total taxes reported in Part III (Schedule E) are correctly combined into Line 4 (U.S. dollars) of Schedule E-2.
- 7Confirm the functional currency used for Part III entries matches the entity's official reporting standard.
How to file this form
- 1Complete Part I by listing all taxes paid or accrued directly by the foreign corporation, ensuring you provide corresponding codes and dates for each entry.
- 2Answer Part II on Schedule E regarding the election made under section 986(a)(1)(D) to translate taxes using the exchange rate on the date of payment.
- 3Complete Part III (Schedule E) by detailing any taxes where a Foreign Tax Credit is disallowed, specifying the relevant tax section for each entry.
- 4Fill out Schedule E-1 and Schedule E-2 by tracking balances and adjustments related to Earnings and Profits (E&P), ensuring all totals reconcile correctly before attaching the document.
Known limitations
- 1If code 901j is entered on line a of Schedule E (Form 5471), the filer must enter the country code for the sanctioned country on line b.
- 2If one of the RBT codes is entered on line a of Schedule E (Form 5471), the filer must enter the country code for the treaty country on line c.
- 3When reporting taxes deemed paid by a foreign corporation, the form requires identifying information for a Lower-Tier Distributing Foreign Corporation, including its EIN or Reference ID Number and the Country or U.S. Possession to Which Tax Is Paid.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
General Info
2 items
Full legal name and taxpayer identification number (SSN or EIN).
Current mailing address.
Details
2 items
Complete all applicable sections of this form according to the official IRS instructions.
Enter the relevant dollar amount if this form involves tax calculation.
Certification
1 items
Read and acknowledge any certifications required by this form.
Signatures
1 items
Sign and date. Unsigned forms cannot be processed.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->The current edition is Revision December 2021 (Rev. 12-2021). The form directs users to www.irs.gov/Form5471 for instructions and the latest information.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Edition date — confirm the revision reads December 2021 (Rev. 12-2021).
- OMB Number — confirm the form bears OMB No. 1545-0123.
- Filing destination — confirm the document is attached to Form 5471 and submitted to the Department of the Treasury.
- Schedule E-1/E-2 Balance Check — ensure Line 16, columns (a), (b), and (c) on Schedule E-1 equal zero.
Quick Facts
Downloads
After you file
- 1Retain a copy of the filed IRS Form 5471 (Schedule E) for record-keeping.
- 2The form is attached to Form 5471, so filing this schedule means submitting it along with that main form.
- 3If code 901j is used on line a, ensure the country code entered on line b corresponds to the sanctioned country.
- 4When completing Part II (Election), confirm if an election was made under section 986(a)(1)(D) for tax years beginning after December 31, 2004.
Sources
- SRCInstructions p.1 — The form is titled Schedule E (Form 5471) and reports Income, War Profits, and Excess Profits Taxes Paid or Accrued.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — Line a requires entering a Separate Category code; line b requires the country code if code 901j is entered; line c requires the treaty country code if an RBT code is entered.
- SRCInstructions p.1 — Column (m) total combines lines 1 through 4 of column (m), and this amount must also be reported on Schedule E-1, line 4.
- SRCInstructions p.2 — Part II requires answering whether an election was made under section 986(a)(1)(D) to translate taxes using the exchange rate on the date of payment.
- SRCInstructions p.3 — Section E-1 includes specific lines for reporting PTEP amounts, such as Reclassified section 965(a) PTEP (line i).
- SRCNot stated in the official source — The filing deadline itself is not specified in these excerpts — verify on the agency site.
Common confusion points
What is the difference between 'Total' in column (l) and 'Total' in column (m)?
Column (l) totals lines 1 through 4 of column (l), while column (m) totals lines 1 through 4 of column (m).
→ Check how the amounts are combined on each specific line.
Where do I report the tax amount for PTEP Group taxes?
The total amount of the PTEP group taxes with respect to that group is reported in column (h) of Schedule E (Form 5471).
→ Verify this against the instructions if you are unsure which section applies.
How should I handle negative amounts on Part II, line 13?
If necessary, enter negative amounts on lines 15 of columns (a), (b), and (c) to reduce line 13, columns (a), (b), and (c) down to zero.
→ Ensure the corresponding positive values are entered correctly elsewhere.
What do the codes in column (a) signify?
Column (a) is a separate category code; if you enter code 901j or an RBT code, specific country codes must be provided on lines b and c of Schedule E (Form 5471).
→ Review the instructions to map the code to its meaning.
Does reporting in functional currency mean something different for each column?
Yes, the amounts are reported in the Functional Currency of the Foreign Corporation across columns (1) through (5), and then totals are calculated.
→ Confirm that you divide column (j) by column (k) as instructed when needed.
Which section is used to report taxes deemed paid by a foreign corporation?
Section 2 is used for Taxes Deemed Paid by Foreign Corporation on Schedule E (Form 5471).
→ Ensure you fill in the required lower-tier distributing corporation details for this section.
Workflow map
Related forms and next steps
Before
Current
Often used with
⚠ If something goes wrong
- If errors exist, the filer must review the instructions found at www.irs.gov/Form5471 for guidance.
Questions about IRS Form 5471-SE
What is IRS Form 5471-SE used for?
This form tells the IRS about the financial activity of a foreign company that is related to your U.S. tax filing. It details various taxes the foreign company paid or accrued, whether those taxes are allowed as credits or disallowed. This information helps the IRS correctly calculate your U.S. tax liability.
Who must file IRS Form 5471-SE?
The form must be filed by the person who is attaching Form 5471 to report on a foreign corporation's activity.
What information does IRS Form 5471-SE require?
Part I details taxes paid or accrued directly by the foreign corporation, while Part II addresses elections made under section 986(a)(1)(D). Part III lists taxes that are disallowed for a foreign tax credit.
When is IRS Form 5471-SE due?
The official source does not state a specific filing deadline, but it applies to taxes for which they were paid or accrued in the relevant U.S. Tax Year of Payor Entity.
Where do I file IRS Form 5471-SE?
The form must be attached to Form 5471 and submitted to the Department of the Treasury. Instructions are available at www.irs.gov/Form5471.
How do I complete IRS Form 5471-SE?
First, complete the top lines with identifying information (Name of person filing, EIN). Then, populate Part I by listing taxes paid or accrued, followed by detailing elections in Part II. Finally, list disallowed taxes in Part III and ensure all amounts are reported on Schedule E-1.
What is the difference between 'Total' in column (l) and 'Total' in column (m)?
Column (l) totals lines 1 through 4 of column (l), while column (m) totals lines 1 through 4 of column (m). Check how the amounts are combined on each specific line.
Where do I report the tax amount for PTEP Group taxes?
The total amount of the PTEP group taxes with respect to that group is reported in column (h) of Schedule E (Form 5471). Verify this against the instructions if you are unsure which section applies.
Source transparency
Copyright & Licensing - US Government Forms
BrieflyGo links to and explains official public form sources. We are not a government agency, and this page is for general form guidance, not legal advice.
Understand the agreement before you sign it.
Review risky clauses in plain English, fix the document, and keep it moving toward signature.