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IRSExempt Organizations & Benefit Plans (5000 Series)

Official form guide

Form 5472: 5472

Form 5472 is an information return used to report certain transactions between a reporting corporation and a foreign related party. It is required when a U.S. corporation that is 25% foreign‑owned or a foreign corporation engaged in a U.S. trade or business has reportable transactions.

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Form Overview

IRS Form 5472 - 5472

Form 5472 is an information return used to report certain transactions between a reporting corporation and a foreign related party. It is required when a U.S. corporation that is 25% foreign‑owned or a foreign corporation engaged in a U.S. trade or business has reportable transactions.

It captures the identities of the foreign related parties, the nature of the relationship, and the dollar value of each reportable transaction during the tax year.

Risk Radar

Scan points
  • 1One missed transaction can trigger a $25,000 penalty per form.
  • 2Missing the filing deadline because the corporate return is extended but the form is not attached.
  • 3Omitting a reportable transaction that falls under the $10,000 aggregate threshold.
  • 4Incorrect foreign party identification (name, address, EIN).
  • 5Using the wrong version of Form 5472 for the tax year.

Plain English

If a U.S. company is at least a quarter owned by a foreign person, or a foreign company does business in the U.S., the IRS wants details about any money or property exchanged with that foreign owner. This form tells the IRS about those cross‑border deals.

Submission Date

  • Filing date: 2025-02-11 22:12:35
  • Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
  • Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.

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Glossary Terms

foreignpersonnaturepartyownermoney

Hover a term to preview the meaning.

What this form is for

  • Use when a U.S. corporation is at least 25% foreign‑owned and has reportable transactions.
  • Do not use for purely domestic transactions with no foreign related party.
  • If the corporation is a foreign partnership filing Form 1065‑F, consider Form 8865 instead.

Form selector

Use this form or another form?

U.S. corporation > 25% foreign ownership > No reportable transactions

No filing needed

✓ Verify transaction thresholds before concluding

No Form 5472 required

Foreign corporation with U.S. trade or business > Reportable transactions

Same filing deadline as Form 1120‑F

✓ Ensure foreign corporation’s EIN is on the return

Form 5472

U.S. partnership with foreign partner > Reportable transactions

Different filing requirements

✓ Confirm partnership filing status before switching

Form 8865

Deadline or filing window

Form 5472 must be filed by the due date (including extensions) of the corporation’s income‑tax return. If the return is extended to October 15, the form is due the same day. No separate deadline exists.

  • —Total reportable transactions | Sum of all Part II dollar amounts | Total transaction amount | Verify that each amount meets the $10,000 aggregate rule

Checklist

What you need before filling it out

1

Part I – Reporting corporation identification

Articles of incorporation, EIN confirmation · Corporate records

⚠ Wrong EIN or name✕ High
2

Part I – Foreign related party details

Foreign party’s registration or passport copy · Foreign party documents

⚠ Misspelled name or address✕ Medium
3

Part II – Transaction amounts

Invoices, contracts, bank statements · Accounting system

⚠ Rounded figures without source✕ High
4

Signature block

Officer’s signing authority documentation · Corporate officer list

⚠ Missing title or date✕ Medium
5

Attachment to tax return

Completed Form 1120/1120‑F · Tax return copy

⚠ Form 5472 not attached✕ High
6

Extension filing proof

Form 4868 receipt · IRS acknowledgment

⚠ Extension filed but Form 5472 not attached✕ High

Before you submit

  1. 1Confirm the corporation meets the 25% foreign ownership or foreign trade/business test.
  2. 2Gather all invoices, contracts, and bank statements for each foreign transaction.
  3. 3Enter accurate foreign party name, address, and EIN in Part I.
  4. 4List each transaction type and amount in Part II, using the correct codes.
  5. 5Re‑calculate total transaction amount and verify against source documents.
  6. 6Sign and date the form with title and authority.
  7. 7Attach Form 5472 to the corporate tax return before mailing or e‑filing the return.
  8. 8Use the correct mailing address for the corporate return.
  9. 9Retain a copy of the attached packet for at least three years.
  10. 10If filing an extension, ensure the extension request was accepted before the original deadline.
  11. 11Check that the form version matches the tax year.
  12. 12Verify that the corporate EIN on the form matches the return.

How to file this form

  1. 1Identify whether the corporation triggers the filing requirement.
  2. 2Collect all foreign‑related party information and transaction records.
  3. 3Complete Part I with corporation and foreign party identifiers.
  4. 4Complete Part II, entering each reportable transaction and its dollar value.
  5. 5Review totals and reconcile with accounting records.
  6. 6Sign the form and attach it to the corporate tax return.
  7. 7Mail the combined package to the IRS address for the return or submit electronically if the return is e‑filed.
  8. 8Keep a dated copy of the entire submission for your records.

Known limitations

  1. 1IRS instructions do not provide a detailed transaction code list; users must reference the form’s legend.
  2. 2The form does not accept electronic filing alone; it must be attached to a return.
  3. 3Penalty guidance is general; exact amounts may change with future regulations.
  4. 4The $10,000 threshold applies to aggregate amounts, not each individual transaction.
  5. 5Foreign party EIN is optional if unavailable, but must be noted as unavailable.

Field map

Compact field-by-field guide

6 fields

General Info

2 items

Taxpayer Name and TIN

Full legal name and taxpayer identification number (SSN or EIN).

Requiredtext
Address

Current mailing address.

Requiredtext

Details

2 items

Required Information

Complete all applicable sections of this form according to the official IRS instructions.

Requiredtext
Amount (if applicable)

Enter the relevant dollar amount if this form involves tax calculation.

amount

Certification

1 items

Certification Statement

Read and acknowledge any certifications required by this form.

Requiredcheckbox

Signatures

1 items

Signature

Sign and date. Unsigned forms cannot be processed.

Requiredsignature
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Current form status
IRS

Form 5472 is currently in its 2024 revision, effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2024. Check the IRS website for any later updates before filing.

What changed or needs a fresh check

  • Edition date: verify the form is the 2024 version or later
  • Fee: no filing fee for Form 5472 itself
  • Mailing address: use the address for the corporate tax return you are filing
  • Signature line: authorized officer must sign and date
  • EIN consistency: ensure the EIN on Form 5472 matches the return
  • Attachment order: attach after the tax return, before any schedules

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Quick Facts

The reporting corporation (U.S. 25% foreign‑owned corporation or foreign corporation with a U.S. trade or business) files the form.
It captures the identities of the foreign related parties, the nature of the relationship, and the dollar value of each reportable transaction during the tax year.
Form 5472 is filed with the corporation’s income‑tax return (Form 1120, 1120‑F, etc.) and is due the same date as that return, including extensions.
Attach Form 5472 to the appropriate corporate tax return and mail the package to the IRS address designated for that return; e‑filing is not available for Form 5472 alone.
Failure to file or filing an incomplete Form 5472 can trigger a $25,000 penalty per form, and the penalty may increase if the failure is not corrected within 90 days of IRS notice.
Gather all foreign‑related party information, list each transaction type and amount, complete Part I (identifying information) and Part II (transaction details), attach the form to the corporate tax return, and retain copies for record‑keeping. Verify that the corporation’s EIN matches the return and that the foreign party’s name and address are correct before signing.

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After you file

  1. 1Store the filed Form 5472 and the corporate return together for at least three years.
  2. 2Track any IRS notices; respond within 90 days to avoid penalty escalation.
  3. 3Update internal records to reflect the reported transaction amounts.
  4. 4If an extension was used, confirm the extension was approved before the original deadline.
  5. 5Document the basis for any omitted transactions (e.g., below threshold).
  6. 6Prepare for potential audit by organizing source invoices and contracts.
  7. 7Review the next year’s ownership structure early to determine repeat filing need.

Sources

  • SRCIRS Form 5472 instructionsfiling requirement for 25% foreign‑owned U.S. corporations
  • SRCIRS Publication 542Corporations – reference to foreign related party reporting
  • SRCIRS Penalty guidance$25,000 per failure to file Form 5472
  • SRCForm 1120 filing deadlinesame as Form 5472 attachment
  • SRCIRS e‑fil guidanceForm 5472 must be attached to a return, not filed alone
  • SRCIRS extension rulesextensions apply to the corporate return and attached Form 5472

Common confusion points

Foreign ownership %

Calculating 25% ownership can be complex with multiple classes of stock

→ Use a cap table to verify percentage

What counts as a reportable transaction

Many think only cash matters

→ Include property, services, and debt‑related items

Form attachment

Some assume separate e‑filing

→ Attach only to the corporate return; e‑file of the return includes the form

Foreign party EIN requirement

Not always required

→ Mark “Not Available” if the foreign party lacks an EIN

Extension timing

Belief that extension automatically extends Form 5472

→ Extension only applies if the return is extended and the form remains attached

Penalty amount

Some think a flat $10,000

→ Current penalty is $25,000 per form per failure

Multiple foreign parties

Unclear if one form per party

→ One Form 5472 per reporting corporation per tax year, regardless of number of parties

Workflow map

Related forms and next steps

4 signals

Before

Determine ownership structure with Form 1120 Schedule L

Current

5472

After

If penalties arise, respond using Form 1120‑X amendment or IRS notice response

Often used with

Corporate income tax return (Form 1120, 1120‑F, etc.)

⚠ If something goes wrong

  • Review IRS Notice CP2000 and consider filing a late Form 5472 with penalty waiver request

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Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
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