Do Non-US Residents Need a Reference ID Number for IRS Forms 5472 and 1120?

The Reference ID Number is not technically required if you already have an EIN (Employer Identification Number) or other U.S. identifying number. However, if you're using "FOREIGNUS" as your identifier, which indicates you don't have an EIN, then the Reference ID Number becomes important. The Reference ID Number is essentially a substitute identifier when you don't have a U.S. tax ID. It helps the IRS track your entity across multiple filings. Your accountant should ideally assign a unique reference number that will be consistent across all your future filings. I'd recommend contacting your CPA to discuss adding a Reference ID Number. It's a simple alphanumeric code (up to 50 characters) that you can create. While technically you might get away without it, it's good practice to include it to avoid processing delays or confusion with your filing.

Been there with my international business! After spending hours trying to figure out these exact forms, I discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) which basically saved me from a bunch of mistakes with my 5472 and 1120 filings. I uploaded my draft forms and it flagged several issues including the Reference ID situation. The system explained that for foreign-owned LLCs using "FOREIGNUS," a Reference ID is strongly recommended though not always required depending on your specific situation. What I found most helpful was that it actually showed me proper examples of compliant 5472 forms for foreign owners. Made everything so much clearer than the cryptic IRS instructions. They have specialized expertise with international business filings.

Just wanted to follow up about my experience with taxr.ai after I mentioned it earlier. I uploaded my accountant's prepared 5472 and 1120 forms for review and it was eye-opening. The system immediately flagged the missing Reference ID as potentially problematic given my specific situation. It also identified two other issues my accountant missed regarding reporting requirements for foreign transactions. The guided walkthrough for creating a proper Reference ID was super clear - I went with something based on my company name and incorporation date that will be easy to remember for future filings. Really glad I double-checked before submitting because my accountant definitely missed some important details specific to foreign-owned businesses.

If you're having trouble getting clear answers about your 5472 requirements, you might want to try Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was in a similar situation last year with confusion about foreign owner reporting requirements and couldn't get through to the IRS international taxpayer line for weeks. Claimyr got me connected to an actual IRS agent specializing in international business filings in about 20 minutes when I had been trying for days on my own. They have this callback system that basically waits on hold for you - you can see how it works in their demo: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The agent I spoke with confirmed that with "FOREIGNUS" as my identifier, a Reference ID was strongly recommended to avoid processing delays, and they explained exactly how to create one properly for my situation. Saved me so much headache compared to trying to interpret the instructions on my own.

I have to admit I was completely wrong about Claimyr. After posting my skeptical comment, I was desperate enough with my 5472 questions that I decided to try it anyway. I was absolutely shocked when I got a call back in about 35 minutes connecting me to an actual IRS international tax specialist. The agent confirmed that for my situation (foreign owner with FOREIGNUS identifier), the Reference ID number isn't technically required but is highly recommended to avoid processing issues. She explained that creating a consistent Reference ID now would make all my future filings much smoother. She even walked me through exactly how to communicate the needed corrections to my accountant. For anyone dealing with international business tax questions, this service is worth every penny. No more wasting entire days on hold just to get a simple question answered.

Just wanted to add some practical advice based on my experience filing these forms for several years as a non-resident LLC owner. For the Reference ID Number, I recommend using something simple but unique that you'll remember for future filings. I use a combination of my company initials, founding year, and a few digits from my foreign tax ID. The biggest problem with leaving it blank isn't necessarily that your current filing will be rejected, but that future filings might not be properly associated with your entity in the IRS system. This can potentially trigger unnecessary notices or reviews down the line. Also make sure your CPA is experienced with foreign-owned LLCs specifically. I've had regular business CPAs make mistakes on these forms because international business taxation isn't their specialty.

Make sure your CPA understands the difference between Form 5472 for foreign-owned U.S. corporations versus foreign corporations with U.S. operations. The requirements differ and many accountants mix them up if they don't specialize in international taxation. Also worth noting - if your LLC is a single-member LLC and you're the foreign owner, the LLC is likely treated as a disregarded entity for federal tax purposes, which has different reporting requirements than a corporation filing Form 1120. Did your CPA discuss this with you?

I'm dealing with a similar situation right now! My foreign-owned LLC also needs to file these forms and my accountant initially left the Reference ID blank too. After reading through this thread and doing some research, I decided to create a Reference ID using my company name abbreviation plus the year I formed the LLC. One thing I learned is that consistency is key - whatever Reference ID you choose, you need to use the exact same one on all future filings. I made a note in my business records so I won't forget it next year. Also, I'd recommend double-checking with your accountant about whether your LLC should actually be filing Form 1120 at all. As Omar mentioned, single-member LLCs are usually treated as disregarded entities for tax purposes, which would mean different forms entirely. This could save you from filing unnecessary forms and potentially avoid complications down the road. The IRS instructions for these international forms are definitely confusing, but getting it right from the start will save headaches later!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a very similar situation as a non-US resident with an LLC. Based on everything discussed here, it sounds like the Reference ID Number issue might be the least of our concerns if we're potentially filing the wrong forms entirely. For those dealing with single-member foreign-owned LLCs, the distinction between disregarded entity vs. corporate taxation seems crucial. I'm definitely going to verify with my accountant whether we made Form 8832 election for corporate treatment, because if not, I might be overcomplicating things with Form 1120. One practical question for those who've been through this - when you discovered you needed to change from corporate forms (1120) to disregarded entity treatment, were you able to make the correction before the filing deadline? Or did you have to file an amended return? I'm trying to figure out if I have time to get this sorted out properly or if I should file what I have and correct it later. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this is exactly the kind of real-world guidance that's impossible to find in the IRS instructions!