Form 5471 Category Finder

Question 1

Are you a US person?

A US person includes a US citizen, US resident alien, domestic corporation, domestic partnership, or domestic trust/estate.

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No Filing Requirement

Form 5471 is only required for US persons. Based on your answer, you do not have a Form 5471 filing requirement.

Question 2

Do you have any ownership interest in a foreign corporation?

This includes direct, indirect, or constructive ownership of stock in a foreign corporation.

Question 3

Are you an officer or director of a foreign corporation?

This applies even if you have no ownership interest in the corporation.

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No Filing Requirement Indicated

Based on your answers, Form 5471 does not appear to be required. You have no ownership interest and are not an officer or director of a foreign corporation.

Question 3b

Does any US person own 10% or more of the foreign corporation's stock?

By vote or value. This includes any US shareholder, not just you.

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No Filing Requirement Indicated

No Form 5471 required based on these facts. Category 2 only applies when a US person owns 10% or more of the foreign corporation.

Question 4

What is your ownership percentage of the foreign corporation?

Include direct, indirect, and constructive ownership combined (by vote or value).

Less than 10% 10% to 50% More than 50%

Question 5

Did you acquire stock during the tax year that brought you to 10% or more ownership?

This includes any acquisition (purchase, gift, inheritance, etc.) that caused you to meet or exceed the 10% threshold.

Question 6

Did you dispose of stock during the tax year that brought you below 10% ownership?

This includes any disposition (sale, transfer, etc.) that reduced your ownership below the 10% threshold.

Question 7

Do you own more than 50% of the foreign corporation?

By vote or value, directly or indirectly. This determines whether you have control of the corporation.

Question 8

Is the foreign corporation a Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC)?

A CFC is a foreign corporation in which US shareholders (each owning ≥10% by vote or value) collectively own more than 50% by vote or value.

Question 9

Is the foreign corporation a Specified Foreign Corporation (SFC)?

An SFC is either (a) a CFC, or (b) a foreign corporation that has at least one domestic corporate shareholder owning 10% or more.

Question 10

Are you an officer or director of this foreign corporation?

If yes, and any US person owns 10% or more, Category 2 may apply.

Question 10b

Does any US person own 10% or more of this foreign corporation's stock?

By vote or value. This includes any US shareholder, not just you.