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IRSCredits & Incentives (8800/8900 Series)

Official form guide

Form 8975-SA: 8975 (Schedule A)

Form 8975 Schedule A is the Annual Return of U.S. Persons With Respect to Certain Foreign Corporations. It is filed by U.S. shareholders of a Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC) that is a “large” or “high‑risk” foreign corporation.

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Form Overview

IRS Form 8975-SA - 8975 (Schedule A)

Form 8975 Schedule A is the Annual Return of U.S. Persons With Respect to Certain Foreign Corporations. It is filed by U.S. shareholders of a Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC) that is a “large” or “high‑risk” foreign corporation.

It captures the CFC’s name, EIN, country, ownership share, and the shareholder’s identifying information.

Risk Radar

Scan points
  • 1One missed Schedule A can invalidate the entire Form 5471 filing.
  • 2Incorrect CFC EIN or country code
  • 3Mis‑stated ownership percentage
  • 4Missing signature or electronic authentication
  • 5Attaching Schedule A to the wrong Form 5471

Plain English

If you own at least 10% of a foreign corporation that meets certain size or risk thresholds, the IRS wants a yearly snapshot of that company. Schedule A collects basic identifying info, ownership percentages, and the corporation’s country of organization. It’s a reporting, not a tax, form.

Submission Date

  • Filing date: 2020-12-18 22:10:54
  • 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

ownershipforeign

Hover a term to preview the meaning.

What this form is for

  • Use when you own ≥10% of a large or high‑risk CFC.
  • Do not use for a CFC that is exempt because it is a “small” foreign corporation.
  • If you are filing only Form 5471 for a “small” CFC, Schedule A is not required.

Form selector

Use this form or another form?

CFC is small (assets < $50 M)

No Schedule A required

✓ Verify asset test

Form 5471 only

U.S. person is a partnership

Partnership reporting rules differ

✓ Confirm partnership filing

Form 8865

Deadline or filing window

Schedule A is due when the shareholder’s Form 5471 is due, typically the original due date of the individual’s tax return (including extensions). If an extension is granted for the return, the Schedule A deadline extends with it. No separate deadline exists.

Checklist

What you need before filling it out

1

Field 1 – CFC name

Articles of incorporation or foreign registration · Corporate documents

⚠ Misspelling or wrong legal name✕ High
2

Field 2 – CFC EIN

IRS notice or foreign tax ID correspondence · IRS EIN assignment letter

⚠ Using an outdated EIN✕ Medium
3

Field 3 – Country of organization

Certificate of incorporation · Foreign jurisdiction filings

⚠ Selecting wrong country code✕ High
4

Field 4 – Ownership %

Shareholder ledger or stock certificates · Corporate stock ledger

⚠ Rounding errors or omitted shares✕ Medium

Before you submit

  1. 1Verify you have a “large” or “high‑risk” CFC.
  2. 2Confirm the CFC’s EIN and country code match IRS records.
  3. 3Calculate exact ownership percentage to two decimal places.
  4. 4Complete all Schedule A fields; no blanks.
  5. 5Attach Schedule A to the correct Form 5471.
  6. 6Validate electronic signature and authentication.
  7. 7Run the e‑file system’s error check before submission.
  8. 8Save the acknowledgment receipt.
  9. 9Record the filing date and reference number.
  10. 10Store a PDF copy with your tax records.

How to file this form

  1. 1Log into the IRS e‑file portal with your authorized e‑file provider.
  2. 2Open the Form 5471 package and select “Add Schedule A”.
  3. 3Enter CFC name, EIN, country, and ownership % exactly as source documents show.
  4. 4Review for required fields and error messages.
  5. 5Electronically sign the Schedule A.
  6. 6Submit the combined Form 5471 and Schedule A.
  7. 7Download the submission confirmation PDF.

Known limitations

  1. 1The form does not calculate ownership; users must compute percentages themselves.
  2. 2No paper filing option; only electronic submission is accepted.
  3. 3The IRS website may not list the exact edition date for the current year.
  4. 4The form does not provide guidance on what qualifies as a “high‑risk” CFC.

Field map

Compact field-by-field guide

6 fields

Entity Info

1 items

Taxpayer Name and TIN

Name and taxpayer ID of the entity claiming the credit.

Requiredtext

Credit Info

1 items

Credit Type

Type of credit or incentive being claimed.

Requiredselect

Calculation

2 items

Qualifying Amount

The base amount used to calculate the credit.

Requiredamount
Credit Amount

Calculated credit amount after applying formulas and limitations.

Requiredamount

Certification

1 items

Supporting Information

Detailed breakdown supporting the credit calculation.

text

Signatures

1 items

Signature

Sign and date the form.

Requiredsignature
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Current form status
IRS

The IRS provides an electronic version of Schedule A on its website. No paper version is accepted. Verify the edition date before use.

What changed or needs a fresh check

  • Edition date – confirm the form is the latest version (currently 2023 revision).
  • Fee – no filing fee for Schedule A.
  • Mailing address – not applicable; file electronically.
  • Electronic signature – ensure your e‑file provider supports Schedule A attachment.
  • Software version – use the IRS‑approved e‑file software version for the current tax year.

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Form 8975-SA page 1

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Form 8975-SA page 2

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Quick Facts

U.S. persons who are shareholders of a large or high‑risk CFC must file.
It captures the CFC’s name, EIN, country, ownership share, and the shareholder’s identifying information.
The return is due the same day as the shareholder’s Form 5471 filing, generally by the original due date (including extensions) of the shareholder’s income‑tax return for the year.
File electronically with the IRS through the Modernized e‑File (MeF) system when attaching it to Form 5471. Paper filing is not accepted.
Errors can trigger penalties, force an amended return, and may lead to a “failure to file” sanction for the shareholder’s Form 5471.
Gather the CFC’s EIN, country of organization, and your ownership percentage. Complete Schedule A fields 1‑4 with that data, sign the form, and attach it to Form 5471. Submit the combined package through the IRS e‑file portal before the tax‑return deadline. Retain a copy for your records.

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After you file

  1. 1Save the electronic acknowledgment and filing reference number.
  2. 2Store a copy of the completed Schedule A with the supporting CFC documents.
  3. 3Update your internal ownership register to reflect the filed percentage.
  4. 4Monitor IRS correspondence for any deficiency notices.
  5. 5If an amendment is needed, prepare a corrected Schedule A and attach to an amended Form 5471.
  6. 6Track the filing deadline for the next tax year.

Sources

  • SRCIRS Form 8975 Schedule A official PDFconfirms purpose and filing requirement.
  • SRCIRS Instructions for Form 8975defines “large” and “high‑risk” CFC criteria.
  • SRCIRS e‑File guidancestates Schedule A must be filed electronically with Form 5471.
  • SRCIRS Publication 542provides background on CFC definitions.
  • SRCIRS penalty guidelinesoutline consequences for missing Schedule A.
  • SRCNot found in provided sourceexact edition date for 2024 version.

Common confusion points

Large vs. high‑risk CFC

Different thresholds (assets, income, activity)

→ Review IRS guidance on each test

Ownership % rounding

IRS expects two‑decimal precision

→ Use exact share count before rounding

Electronic vs. paper filing

Schedule A has no paper option

→ Confirm e‑file capability

Multiple CFCs

One Schedule A per CFC

→ Attach a separate Schedule A for each

Country code format

Numeric vs. alphabetic codes

→ Use the IRS country code list

Workflow map

Related forms and next steps

4 signals

Before

Determine CFC status using IRS Publication 542.

Current

8975-SA

After

Form 8865 if the shareholder is a partnership.

Often used with

Form 5471 (Information Return of U.S. Persons With Respect to Certain Foreign Corporations).

⚠ If something goes wrong

  • File Form 1127 (Application for Extension of Time for Payment of Tax) for penalty relief.

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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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