U.S. LLC Taxes for Pakistani Founders: What to File Each Year

Pakistan has one of the world's largest freelance and e-commerce communities, and a U.S. LLC has become the standard way for its sellers and agencies to open U.S. payment accounts. Many of these companies were formed through low-cost online services, and their owners were never told about the yearly filing that follows.

The yearly federal filing: Form 5472 with Pro Forma 1120

When a U.S. LLC has a single owner who is not a U.S. person, the IRS treats it as a foreign-owned disregarded entity. Since 2017, these companies have had to report their dealings with their owner on Form 5472, attached to a Pro Forma Form 1120. It is an information return. It does not calculate tax. It tells the IRS what moved between you and your company during the year.

The return is filed under the LLC's EIN and is sent to the IRS by fax or mail, not through standard e-filing. For a fuller explanation, read Form 5472 Explained.

What counts as a reportable transaction for a Pakistani owner

Almost any movement of money or value between you and the LLC counts. Common examples:

• You pay the formation service from a personal debit card or a relative's account abroad.
• You top up the LLC account to pay for marketplace fees, tools, or advertising.
• You withdraw earnings from the LLC to your personal account in Pakistan.

If a friend or relative paid a company cost for you, it is generally treated as money you put into the company. Write down who paid, how much, and when, so the amounts can be reported correctly.

Do you owe U.S. income tax? How the treaty fits in

A single-member LLC owned by a non-U.S. person is normally a "disregarded entity". The LLC does not pay U.S. income tax itself. Instead, the IRS looks at you, the owner.

The United States and Pakistan have an income tax treaty. Under it, the business profits of a resident of Pakistan are generally taxable in the U.S. only if they are connected to a permanent establishment there, such as a U.S. office or staff. The treaty may also lower the standard 30% withholding on certain U.S.-source payments, such as dividends and royalties.

Two cautions apply. Treaty benefits are not automatic and have to be claimed properly. And holding stock in a U.S. warehouse or using U.S.-based people can change the answer. Whether you owe tax or not, the Form 5472 filing still applies.

Tax forms U.S. platforms will ask you for

Payment processors, marketplaces, and U.S. clients often ask for a tax form before they pay you. Because your LLC is disregarded and you are its foreign owner, the correct form is generally a Form W-8BEN in your own name, not the Form W-9 that U.S. owners use. Giving the wrong form can lead to incorrect withholding or to income being reported to the IRS as if you were a U.S. taxpayer.

State filings

Your LLC also answers to the state where it was formed. Wyoming requires an annual report, due on the first day of the month the company was formed. Delaware charges LLCs a yearly tax due June 1. Florida requires an annual report between January 1 and May 1. New Mexico does not require an annual report from LLCs. Missing a state filing can lead to late fees and, in time, the company being dissolved. See our state filings guide.

Other filings to know about

• FBAR. If the LLC holds accounts outside the United States with more than $10,000 combined at any point in the year, an FBAR is also due.
• BOI report. At the time of writing, LLCs formed in the United States are exempt from FinCEN's beneficial ownership report. This does not affect Form 5472, which is an IRS requirement.

The Pakistani side

Pakistan taxes residents on their income, and foreign income and assets may need to be declared to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). We prepare U.S. filings only, so please confirm the Pakistani side with a local tax adviser. Filed U.S. returns are useful proof of where your income came from.

If you have missed earlier years

Many owners learn about Form 5472 a year or two after forming the company. The safest step is to file every missing year before the IRS writes to you, with a reasonable cause statement explaining the delay. Read more about late filings and catch-up.

What to keep ready each year

• The LLC's formation documents and EIN confirmation letter
• Your passport details and home address
• All statements for the LLC's bank and payment accounts
• A list of money you put into the company and money you took out, with dates
• Any company costs you paid personally

Common questions from Pakistani owners

Does the U.S. tax treaty with Pakistan mean I do not have to file Form 5472?

No. The treaty deals with which country may tax certain income. Form 5472 is an information return, and the treaty does not cancel it. A foreign-owned U.S. LLC with reportable transactions still files each year.

My LLC made no money this year. Do I still file?

Most likely, yes. Form 5472 reports transactions between you and the company, not profit. Paying the formation fee or funding the account yourself is usually enough to create a filing requirement.

I opened my LLC through an online formation service. Did they file Form 5472 for me?

Usually not. Most formation services register the company and obtain the EIN, and their work ends there. The yearly Form 5472 and Pro Forma 1120 are a separate filing that remains the owner's responsibility.

What if I have missed one or more years?

File the missing years as soon as you can, before the IRS contacts you. A reasonable cause statement explaining why the returns are late can be included with the filing.

Meritline Tax prepares Form 5472 with Pro Forma Form 1120 for foreign-owned LLCs at a starting price of $200, confirmed in a free written quote before any work begins.

This article is general information based on federal rules as of October 8, 2026. It is not tax or legal advice for your specific situation. Rules and due dates can change, so confirm your requirements before you file.