Non-U.S. Corporations Owned by US Citizens (Form 5471).

American business owners living overseas may own a non-US corporation.  
a person happily standing in the coffee shop

Many American business owners wrongly believe that if they comply with their host country's tax reporting requirements regarding the corporation, then they have complied with all applicable tax laws.  This is not correct.  US citizens are taxed on their worldwide earnings. If more than 50% of the foreign business is owned, or controlled, by American individuals or entities, than the shareholder's earnings from the foreign (non-US) business, must be reported. Also, Congress requires US citizens that own more than 10% of a non-US corporation to file a form 5471 (Foreign Corporation Ownership).  This is basically a corporate tax return that must be included with one of the US owners' 1040 tax return.  One US owner may file the form on behalf of all the US citizen owners.

Much of this area of tax law was created by International Attorneys for Fortune 500 companies but unfortunately, the rules also apply to a single American shareholder who is just trying to make a living in his host country.

Contact Us

Email:
info@tax911.com

Existing Clients: Please email taxadmin@tax911.com.

Phone:
913-712-8539

Fax:
913-712-8564
Toll Free from US: 855-829-0911

Tax 911 We love to chat!
Please feel free to use the buttons below to contact us or use our Ai powered chat assistant.
Please fill out the form and our team will get back to you shortly The form was sent successfully