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Reporting Capital Contributions across Forms 5472, 1120 & 1040NR for my Foreign Disregarded Entity LLC

So I set up my single-member LLC about 7 months ago and haven't generated any revenue yet. I'm just trying to write off my startup expenses for this first filing period. I'm really confused about how to properly report my capital contributions across the different tax forms for my Foreign Disregarded Entity LLC. Each form seems to have different requirements, and I'm worried about getting in trouble if numbers don't align properly between forms. For **Form 5472**, Part V says I should report capital contributions on a separate attached sheet (which I've already done). But I'm not sure if I also need to include that amount on Part IV - Line 12 "Other amounts received"? With **Form 1120**, I can't figure out where to put the capital contribution. Since it's a balance sheet transaction rather than income, should I be looking for a specific line to report it, or just leave it off completely? And for **Form 1040NR**, I've read that capital contributions shouldn't be added to Schedule C, but I don't know if there's another schedule where I should be reporting this, or if I should just omit it entirely from this form. I'm getting really stressed about filing this correctly. Can anyone help me figure out the proper way to handle reporting capital contributions across these three forms?

You're dealing with a somewhat complex tax situation, but I can help clarify how to handle capital contributions across these forms for your foreign disregarded entity LLC. For Form 5472, you're on the right track. You should report capital contributions on the separate sheet for Part V, but you also need to include the amount on Part IV - Line 12 "Other amounts received" since this represents money coming into the entity. Make sure to clearly label it as capital contributions. Regarding Form 1120, capital contributions don't appear on the income statement portion but should be reflected on Schedule L (Balance Sheet). Look at Line 22 "Capital stock" or Line 23 "Additional paid-in capital" depending on the nature of your contribution. If you're using tax software, it should automatically populate these areas when you enter the information correctly. For Form 1040NR, you're correct that capital contributions should not be included on Schedule C since they're not business income. As a single-member LLC that's a disregarded entity, your capital contributions don't need to be separately reported on 1040NR at all - they're not income to you personally. The key is maintaining consistent treatment across forms, with proper documentation to show that the same transaction is being handled appropriately according to each form's requirements.

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Thanks for the detailed response! I'm still a bit confused about the 1120 form though. My tax software doesn't seem to have those specific lines you mentioned. Does it matter if the capital contribution amount on Form 5472 doesn't show up anywhere on Form 1120? Will the IRS flag this as inconsistent reporting?

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The fields in Form 1120 can vary depending on the tax software you're using, but the capital contribution should definitely appear somewhere on the balance sheet portion. If your software doesn't have specific lines labeled "Capital stock" or "Additional paid-in capital," look for something similar like "Paid-in capital" or "Owner's equity." The IRS generally won't flag inconsistencies between Forms 5472 and 1120 regarding capital contributions as long as you're clearly documenting everything. Make sure to include detailed attachments explaining the contribution and how it's being handled on each form. The most important thing is transparency and being able to show that you're not attempting to hide anything - it's just being reported in different ways as required by the structure of each form.

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I was initially skeptical about taxr.ai for my foreign LLC tax situation, but I decided to try it after struggling with this exact capital contribution reporting issue. I had gotten three different answers from tax professionals about how to handle it across Form 5472, 1120, and 1040NR! The service actually identified a critical error in how I was planning to report my capital contributions - I was about to double-count them in a way that would have raised red flags. The analysis showed exactly where to report on each form with specific line references and even provided template language for the required attachments explaining the capital flow. What surprised me most was that it explained WHY each form treats capital contributions differently and how to ensure consistency in the overall narrative of my return. Definitely changed my mind about tech solutions for complex international tax situations.

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I dealt with this exact situation last year. For Form 5472, you definitely need to report the capital contribution on both Part V (attached sheet) AND Part IV Line 12. For Form 1120, look at Schedule L on the balance sheet portion. Capital contributions should go on line 22 or 23 depending on your specific situation. For 1040NR with Schedule C, you're right - don't include the capital contribution as income. It doesn't go on Schedule C at all since it's not income or an expense. Just make sure your narrative is consistent across all forms. I included a detailed attachment explaining the capital movement to make it crystal clear for the IRS.

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Drake

Thank you for sharing your experience! Did you have any issues when you filed this way? I've heard horror stories about the IRS sending letters for clarification on foreign entity reporting, and I'm trying to avoid that.

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I filed exactly as described and didn't receive any questions or notices from the IRS. The key was including a detailed statement explaining the capital contribution and how it was being reported on each form. I literally created a one-page summary that listed each form and the specific lines where the capital contribution appeared or explaining why it didn't appear on certain forms. I think most problems occur when people don't provide enough documentation or explanation. The IRS understands these are complex structures, but they want to see that you're being transparent about the financial flows. Make your attachment very clear and reference it on each form where relevant. This approach has worked for me for two filing years now with no issues.

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I'm filing the same forms for my foreign LLC and wanted to double check - does anyone know if capital contributions are considered "reportable transactions" for Form 5472 purposes? My CPA is saying one thing but I've read something different online.

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Yes, capital contributions are definitely considered reportable transactions for Form 5472. They fall under the category of transactions between a reporting corporation and foreign related parties. That's why they need to be reported on both Part IV Line 12 and detailed on a separate attachment for Part V. The confusion might be because capital contributions aren't taxable income, but Form 5472 isn't just about tracking taxable transactions - it's designed to monitor all financial flows between US entities and their foreign owners/related parties. The IRS wants visibility into these flows regardless of their tax treatment.

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Has anyone used TurboTax or H&R Block software for filing these forms for a foreign LLC? I'm trying to figure out if I can DIY this or if I really need to hire a specialist.

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Don't even try using regular tax software for this! I attempted using TurboTax last year for my foreign disregarded entity and it was a disaster. Those programs aren't designed to handle Form 5472 reporting properly, especially the capital contribution aspects between multiple forms. I ended up having to amend everything and pay penalties. Definitely hire a specialist for foreign entity reporting - it's worth every penny to avoid the headache I went through.

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I've had good experiences using TaxAct for my foreign LLC, but only after I already understood exactly what I needed to do. The software doesn't guide you through the process very well, but it does allow you to enter everything correctly if you already know what you're doing. For your first year filing with a foreign disregarded entity, I'd recommend at least getting a consultation with a specialist who can walk you through it, even if you end up doing the actual filing yourself.

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I went through this exact same situation with my foreign disregarded entity LLC last year, and it's definitely confusing at first! Here's what I learned after working with a specialist: For **Form 5472**: You're correct that capital contributions go on the separate attachment for Part V, but they also need to be reported on Part IV Line 12 as "Other amounts received." This might seem like double reporting, but it's intentional - Part IV tracks cash flows while Part V provides the detailed breakdown. For **Form 1120**: The capital contribution should appear on Schedule L (Balance Sheet) under owner's equity, not as income. Look for lines related to "Capital stock" or "Additional paid-in capital" - the exact line depends on how your LLC is structured. For **Form 1040NR**: You're absolutely right not to include it on Schedule C. Capital contributions aren't income to you personally, so they don't belong anywhere on your individual return. The key is creating a clear narrative across all forms. I included a detailed statement explaining the capital contribution and referencing it on each form where it appears. This shows the IRS you're being transparent about the financial flows. Don't stress too much - as long as you document everything clearly and consistently, the IRS understands these are complex structures. Focus on transparency rather than perfection.

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This is incredibly helpful! I'm dealing with my first year filing for a foreign disregarded entity LLC and was getting overwhelmed by all the different requirements. Your breakdown of how the forms work together makes so much more sense than what I was reading in the instructions. Quick question - when you say "detailed statement explaining the capital contribution," do you mean a separate document that gets attached to all three forms, or different explanations for each form? I want to make sure I'm providing the right level of documentation without overdoing it. Also, did you have any issues with the IRS questioning the reporting after you filed this way? I keep hearing horror stories about foreign entity audits and want to make sure I'm setting myself up for success.

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I created one comprehensive statement that I referenced across all forms, but I also included form-specific notes where needed. The main statement was about 1-2 pages explaining the nature of the capital contribution, the amount, the date, and how it was being reported on each form. Then on each individual form, I added brief references like "See attached Capital Contribution Statement" in the margins or explanation boxes. For example, on Form 5472 Part IV Line 12, I wrote "Capital contribution - see attached statement" and on the Schedule L of Form 1120, I noted "Initial capital contribution per attached documentation." This way there's a clear paper trail but you're not repeating the same lengthy explanation on every form. I filed this way two years ago and haven't had any issues with the IRS. No letters, no audit notices, nothing. I think the key was being proactive with documentation rather than waiting for them to ask questions. The IRS seems to appreciate when you clearly explain complex transactions upfront rather than making them figure it out themselves. One tip - keep copies of everything and make sure your documentation clearly shows the money trail. Bank statements, transfer records, etc. Even though I haven't been audited, having that backup documentation gives me peace of mind that I could easily substantiate everything if needed.

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I just went through this same process a few months ago and completely understand your stress! The interaction between these three forms for foreign disregarded entities is definitely not intuitive. One thing that really helped me was creating a simple spreadsheet tracking where the capital contribution appeared on each form. For Form 5472, I put it on both Part IV Line 12 AND the Part V attachment (yes, it feels like double reporting but it's correct). For Form 1120, it went on Schedule L under owner's equity - not as income anywhere. And for 1040NR, it doesn't appear at all since it's not personal income. The biggest mistake I almost made was overthinking the "consistency" requirement. The forms are designed to capture different aspects of the same transaction, so they're supposed to look different from each other. What matters is that your narrative makes sense and you can clearly explain the flow of money. I'd strongly recommend creating a one-page summary document that explains your capital contribution and references exactly where it appears (or doesn't appear) on each form. Attach this to your filing package. It shows the IRS you understand what you're doing and aren't trying to hide anything. Also, don't be afraid to write brief explanatory notes in the margins of the forms themselves. Something like "See attached capital contribution statement" can go a long way toward preventing confusion down the road. You've got this - the fact that you're being so careful about getting it right shows you're on the right track!

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Thank you so much for sharing your spreadsheet approach - that's actually brilliant! I've been trying to keep track of everything in my head and it's been overwhelming. Creating a visual map of where the capital contribution appears on each form sounds like exactly what I need to stay organized. Your point about the forms being designed to capture different aspects of the same transaction really clicked for me. I was getting frustrated thinking I was doing something wrong because the reporting looked inconsistent, but now I understand that's actually by design. Each form serves a different purpose in the overall reporting framework. I'm definitely going to follow your advice about the one-page summary document. It sounds like having that clear narrative explanation upfront could save me a lot of potential headaches later. Did you include specific dollar amounts and dates in your summary, or keep it more general? Also, I love the idea of adding brief explanatory notes in the margins. I was worried about "cluttering" the forms, but it makes perfect sense that clarity is more important than keeping things minimal. The IRS probably appreciates when taxpayers make their job easier by explaining complex transactions proactively. Your encouragement means a lot - this whole process has felt so intimidating, but hearing from people who've successfully navigated it gives me confidence I can figure it out too!

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I completely understand your stress about this - I was in the exact same position with my foreign disregarded entity LLC last year! The good news is that once you understand how these forms work together, it's much more manageable than it initially seems. Here's what I learned from working through this (and confirmed with an international tax specialist): **Form 5472**: You're absolutely correct that capital contributions go on the Part V attachment, BUT they also need to be reported on Part IV Line 12 "Other amounts received." This isn't double-counting - Part IV tracks cash flows while Part V provides the detailed breakdown. Make sure to clearly label it as "Capital contribution" on Line 12. **Form 1120**: Capital contributions don't appear in the income section at all since they're not taxable income. Instead, look at Schedule L (the balance sheet). Your capital contribution should be reported under owner's equity - typically Line 22 "Capital stock" or Line 23 "Additional paid-in capital" depending on your LLC's structure. **Form 1040NR**: You're spot-on here - capital contributions should NOT be included on Schedule C or anywhere else on your individual return. They're not personal income to you. The key insight that helped me was understanding that apparent "inconsistencies" between forms are actually by design. Each form captures different aspects of the same transaction for different regulatory purposes. My recommendation: Create a simple one-page statement explaining your capital contribution - the amount, date, and exactly where it appears (or doesn't appear) on each form. Attach this to your filing package and reference it in the margins of each form. This level of documentation shows the IRS you understand what you're doing and aren't trying to hide anything. You're being appropriately careful about getting this right, which puts you ahead of many people who just guess. Take a deep breath - you've got this!

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This is such a comprehensive breakdown - thank you! I've been struggling with this exact issue for weeks and your explanation finally makes it click. The point about "apparent inconsistencies being by design" is especially helpful because I was driving myself crazy thinking I was making errors when the forms looked different from each other. I really appreciate the specific line references you provided. My tax software has been confusing me with its terminology, but knowing to look for "Capital stock" or "Additional paid-in capital" on Schedule L gives me something concrete to search for. Your idea about creating a one-page statement is perfect. I was worried about over-documenting, but it sounds like being proactive with explanations is much better than leaving the IRS to figure things out on their own. Did you include bank transfer details and dates in your statement, or keep it more high-level? Also, when you reference the statement "in the margins of each form," do you mean literally writing notes by hand on the printed forms, or adding text boxes if filing electronically? I want to make sure I'm doing this in a way that won't cause processing issues. Thank you for the encouragement - hearing from someone who successfully navigated this process gives me so much more confidence!

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I went through this exact same situation with my foreign disregarded entity LLC about 18 months ago, and I totally get the stress you're feeling! The complexity of coordinating these three forms is definitely overwhelming at first. What really helped me was understanding that the IRS expects these forms to look different from each other - they're designed to capture different regulatory requirements, not to match perfectly. Here's how I handled it: **Form 5472**: Capital contributions go on BOTH Part IV Line 12 ("Other amounts received") AND the separate Part V attachment. I initially thought this was double-reporting, but it's actually required - Part IV tracks cash flows, Part V provides transaction details. **Form 1120**: The capital contribution appears on Schedule L (Balance Sheet) under owner's equity. Don't look for it in the income sections since it's not taxable income. Depending on your software, it might be labeled as "Capital stock," "Additional paid-in capital," or "Owner's equity." **Form 1040NR**: You're absolutely right - capital contributions don't belong on Schedule C or anywhere else on this form. They're not personal income to you as the owner. The game-changer for me was creating a detailed reconciliation document that I attached to my return. It listed the capital contribution amount, date, and specifically noted where it appeared on each form (and why it didn't appear on 1040NR). I also added brief references like "See attached Capital Contribution Statement" in the margins of each form. I filed this way and haven't received any questions from the IRS. The key is being transparent and proactive with documentation rather than trying to make everything look identical across forms. You're asking all the right questions, which shows you're approaching this carefully. That attention to detail will serve you well!

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This is exactly the kind of detailed guidance I was hoping to find! Your explanation about the forms being designed to capture different regulatory requirements rather than match perfectly is such an important mindset shift. I was getting so frustrated thinking I was doing something wrong when they didn't align. I really appreciate you confirming the dual reporting requirement for Form 5472 - that Part IV and Part V serve different purposes even though it feels redundant. That was one of my biggest sources of confusion. Your reconciliation document approach sounds perfect. I've been worried about providing too much documentation, but it sounds like being proactive and transparent is much better than leaving things unclear. When you created your Capital Contribution Statement, did you include specific bank account details and transfer dates, or did you keep it more general with just amounts and reference numbers? Also, I'm curious about the timeline - how long after filing did you feel confident that the IRS wasn't going to question your approach? I know there's always some uncertainty, but it would help to know when I can stop losing sleep over this! Thank you for sharing your experience so generously. Knowing that someone else successfully navigated this exact situation gives me the confidence I needed to move forward with my filing.

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