For non-US owners of a Iowa LLC
Foreign-Owned Iowa LLC: State Report, Tax and IRS Filing
A Iowa LLC owned from abroad has a state duty and a federal one. Miss the state one and the LLC can lose its good standing; miss the federal one and the IRS penalty is US$25,000. This page sets out both.
Quick answer
What does a foreign-owned Iowa LLC have to file each year?
With Iowa: Biennial Report. Fee: US$30. Due: Between January 1 and April 1 of each odd-numbered year, starting with the first odd-numbered year after the year of formation (Iowa Code 489.212). With the IRS: Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 for any year with a transaction between the LLC and its foreign owner, with a US$25,000 penalty if missed.
At a glance
- Iowa yearly report
- Biennial Report
- Iowa fee
- US$30
- Iowa due date
- Between January 1 and April 1 of each odd-numbered year, starting with the first odd-numbered year after the year of formation (Iowa Code 48
- IRS filing
- Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120; US$25,000 penalty if missed
- Fees
- See our Form 5472 filing service page, or request a quote
The IRS does not care which state you chose
Paying the Iowa fee keeps the LLC alive at the state. It does nothing for the IRS, where a foreign-owned single-member LLC has its own yearly filing: Form 5472 attached to a pro forma Form 1120, due for any year with money or property moving between you and the LLC. The penalty for missing it is US$25,000 (IRS).
After formation there is usually a BE-13 within 45 days (BEA rule). A US income tax return (Form 1040-NR for an individual owner) is only needed if the LLC has income effectively connected with a US trade or business (IRS).
Iowa filings for a foreign-owned LLC
These are the state-level duties of a Iowa LLC, as published by Iowa (Iowa official source, tax source). State figures checked October 28, 2026.
| Item | Iowa |
|---|---|
| Yearly report | Biennial Report (biennial) |
| Fee | US$30. $30 online through the Secretary of State website; $45 on paper (Iowa Admin. Code 721-40.7(2)). |
| Due | Between January 1 and April 1 of each odd-numbered year, starting with the first odd-numbered year after the year of formation (Iowa Code 489.212). |
| State tax | None for an LLC. Iowa's franchise tax is imposed only on financial institutions (Iowa Code 422.60). |
| If it is late | No late fee stated. If the report is not delivered within 60 days after it is due, the SOS may serve notice and administratively dissolve the LLC if not cured within 60 days after service (Iowa Code 489.708, 489.709). Reinstatement application fee $5 (Iowa Code 489.122). |
Easy to miss: The report is due only in odd-numbered years, so an LLC formed in an even year files its first report in the following odd year.
Keeping a Iowa LLC in good standing
State. Biennial Report: Between January 1 and April 1 of each odd-numbered year, starting with the first odd-numbered year after the year of formation (Iowa Code 489.212).
IRS. Form 5472 with the pro forma Form 1120, normally by April 15 for a calendar-year LLC (Form 7004 extends it)
Once. BE-13 within 45 days of formation, if it applies
How we help
We prepare Form 5472 and the pro forma Form 1120 for foreign-owned Iowa LLCs, or the full year under our annual package. Fees are on our Form 5472 filing service. Gurleen Kaur, CPA licensed in British Columbia and Washington State, signs. We remind you of the Iowa date; the state report itself is filed with Iowa.
See the annual compliance package, best state for non-US founders and US LLC tax by country.
Iowa and federal sources
Iowa
- State rules: Iowa official page, Iowa tax page.
Federal
- Form 5472: Internal Revenue Code section 6038A and Treas. Reg. section 1.6038A-1; T.D. 9796 treats a foreign-owned single-member LLC as a corporation for this purpose (IRS).
- Effectively connected income and Form 1040-NR: Code sections 864 and 871 (IRS Pub 519).
- BE-13: 15 CFR 801.7 (eCFR).
Other states
All 50 states and DC in one table: US LLC annual fees by state.
- Wyoming
- Delaware
- Florida
- Texas
- Nevada
- Colorado
- Montana
- South Dakota
- Missouri
- Ohio
- Arizona
- California
- New York
- Washington
- Illinois
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Connecticut
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Common questions
What does a Iowa LLC owe the state each year?
Biennial Report. Fee: US$30. Due: Between January 1 and April 1 of each odd-numbered year, starting with the first odd-numbered year after the year of formation (Iowa Code 489.212).
Does a Iowa LLC owned by a non-US person pay Iowa tax?
None for an LLC. Iowa's franchise tax is imposed only on financial institutions (Iowa Code 422.60).
What happens if the Iowa filing is late?
No late fee stated. If the report is not delivered within 60 days after it is due, the SOS may serve notice and administratively dissolve the LLC if not cured within 60 days after service (Iowa Code 489.708, 489.709). Reinstatement application fee $5 (Iowa Code 489.122).
Does a foreign-owned Iowa LLC file with the IRS?
Yes. Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 for any year with a reportable transaction with the foreign owner, including the money used to form it. The penalty for missing it is US$25,000. This is separate from the state filing.
Sources
Every rule and figure on this page links to the IRS, CRA or other official source it comes from. Amounts change; we re-check them before each engagement.
- Iowa: official source
- Iowa: tax source
- IRS: Instructions for Form 5472
- eCFR: 15 CFR 801.7 (BE-13 reporting requirement)
- IRS: Publication 515
Gurleen Kaur, CPA licensed in British Columbia and Washington State. Last updated November 11, 2026. This page is general information, not tax or legal advice for your situation.
Related guides: US LLC fees by state, Annual compliance package, Best state for non-US founders.
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