Best Form 5472 Filing Services for UK-Owned U.S. LLCs (2026)
By Arik Rozen, CPA, MBA Updated: September 2026 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Short Answer
For most UK founders with a clean Delaware or Wyoming LLC, Form5472.online is the clearest choice: U.S. CPA-signed, $448 flat, and built specifically for foreign-owned LLCs with no U.S. employees. If you have cross-border complexity — dual-status residency, UK treaty elections, U.S. staff — a mid-size firm with a dedicated U.S. desk (such as Blick Rothenberg or Price Bailey) is worth the higher cost.
Why UK Founders Need a Specific Service
UK accountants — however qualified — cannot sign IRS returns. ACA, ACCA, and CIMA credentials give no authority under IRS Circular 230. If you own a U.S. LLC, only a U.S.-licensed CPA or Enrolled Agent (EA) can prepare and sign your Form 5472 and Form 1120.
The penalty for missing Form 5472 is $25,000 per form, automatically, the moment the deadline passes. A further $25,000 applies every 30 days after the IRS issues a notice. Most UK founders don't realise these obligations exist until a penalty letter arrives.
Filing deadlines for UK owners: Single-member LLC — April 15 (October 15 with extension). Multi-member LLC — March 15 (September 15 with extension). Form 5472 cannot be e-filed — it must be faxed (855-887-7737) or sent by certified mail, attached to Form 1120.
The 4 Best Options for UK Founders (2026)
#1 Best for LLC-only IRS compliance ⭐ TOP PICK FOR MOST UK FOUNDERS
$448 flat — Form 5472 + Form 1120 + filing
Form5472.online is purpose-built for one thing: annual IRS compliance for foreign-owned single-member LLCs. No individual returns, no bookkeeping, no HMRC work — just the U.S. entity filings your LLC requires.
Who signs: Arik Rozen, CPA, MBA — Virginia License #025991, verifiable at dhp.virginia.gov
What's included: Form 5472, Form 1120 (pro-forma), all IRS filing — fax or certified mail
Turnaround: 3–5 business days after information is submitted
DIIRSP: guidance available for missed prior years
Price transparency: $448 flat — no hourly billing, no scope creep
Best for: UK founders with a clean Delaware or Wyoming single-member LLC, no U.S. employees, no U.S. physical presence, and no cross-border complexity. If that describes you, this is the straightforward, purpose-built choice.
Not for: HMRC returns, UK corporation tax, dual-status U.S. returns, or complex treaty elections. You'll still need your UK accountant for those.
#2 Best for UK founders also filing U.S. personal returns GOOD FIT: CROSS-BORDER INDIVIDUALS
Stride Tax
Pricing varies — typically $300–$600+ depending on scope
Stride Tax is a U.S.-based tax service popular with remote workers and freelancers. They handle both individual and entity returns, which makes them a reasonable choice if you need a U.S. individual return alongside your LLC compliance.
U.S. CPAs and EAs on staff
Handles 1040-NR (non-resident U.S. individual return) as well as Form 5472
Online workflow; good for straightforward situations
Less specialised in foreign-owned LLC compliance than Form5472.online
Best for: UK founders who also have a U.S. individual filing obligation — e.g. you spent time in the U.S. during the year or receive U.S.-sourced income that triggers a personal return. If your only obligation is the LLC annual filing, the flat-fee specialist is cleaner.
#3 Best for complex UK-US cross-border structures FOR COMPLEX SITUATIONS
UK Firm with a Dedicated U.S. Desk (e.g. Blick Rothenberg, Price Bailey)
Typically £800–£2,500+ for Form 5472 + 1120 scope
A handful of UK mid-size accountancy firms maintain dedicated U.S. tax teams staffed with U.S.-licensed CPAs. Blick Rothenberg and Price Bailey are the most commonly cited for private clients. BDO and Grant Thornton have U.S. practices but tend to focus on corporate mandates.
U.S. CPAs on staff — IRS Circular 230 compliant
Can handle both HMRC and IRS obligations under one roof
Equipped for UK-US treaty elections, dual-status returns, corporate structures
Higher cost — typically 3–5× the Form5472.online price for equivalent compliance
Longer turnaround — formal engagement process
Best for: UK founders with genuine complexity — a U.S. subsidiary alongside a UK operating company, dual-status U.S. residency, executive relocation, or treaty-hybrid structures. For a lean LLC with no U.S. presence, the cost is hard to justify.
#4 For large corporate structures CORPORATE / INSTITUTIONAL
Big 4 / Mid-Tier International Firm (Deloitte, KPMG, PwC, EY)
Project-based — typically £5,000+ for a full cross-border engagement
The Big 4 all have dedicated U.S. tax practices in London. They are built for multinational corporate clients, large private equity structures, and high-net-worth individuals with complex multi-jurisdiction footprints.
Full IRS authority — U.S. CPAs on every engagement
Deep expertise in transfer pricing, GILTI, FATCA, and multi-entity structures
Significant minimum engagement thresholds — not built for single-LLC founders
Cost is rarely justified unless you have a multi-entity, multi-country structure with material U.S. revenue
Best for: UK companies with U.S. subsidiaries, institutional structures, or private equity-backed entities. Not the right fit for an individual UK founder with one LLC.
9-Factor Comparison Table
Factor | Stride Tax | UK Firm (U.S. desk) | Big 4 / Mid-Tier | |
U.S. CPA / EA signs IRS forms | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Specialises in foreign-owned LLCs | ✓ Core product | Partial | Broader scope | ✗ Not primary |
Flat-fee pricing | ✓ $448 | Varies | ✗ Hourly / estimate | ✗ Project-based |
Typical cost for Form 5472 + 1120 | $448 | $300–$600+ | £800–£2,500+ | £5,000+ |
Turnaround | 3–5 business days | 1–3 weeks | 2–6 weeks | 4–8 weeks |
Handles U.S. personal returns (1040-NR) | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
HMRC / UK returns | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
DIIRSP (missed-year disclosure) | ✓ Yes | Limited | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Best for | Clean single-member LLC, UK founder | Cross-border individuals | Complex UK-US structures | Corporate / institutional |
How to Choose
Your Situation | Recommended Option |
UK founder, single-member LLC, no U.S. employees, annual IRS compliance only | Form5472.online ($448 flat) |
Need U.S. personal return (1040-NR) alongside LLC compliance | Stride Tax |
UK operating company + U.S. subsidiary, treaty elections, or dual residency | Blick Rothenberg / Price Bailey |
Multi-entity corporate group with U.S. revenue | Big 4 or mid-tier international firm |
Missed prior years — need voluntary disclosure | Form5472.online (DIIRSP guidance) |
One Myth to Clear Up: The UK-US Tax Treaty
The UK-US Income Tax Convention (1980, updated 2001) is a relief mechanism — it prevents double taxation and reduces withholding rates. It does not:
Eliminate your Form 5472 filing obligation
Reduce the $25,000 penalty for non-filing
Allow UK-qualified accountants to sign IRS returns
Your HMRC Self Assessment and your IRS obligations are two separate filing systems. Satisfying one does not satisfy the other.
Verify before you rely:
· IRS Form 5472 instructions: irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-5472
· IRS Circular 230 (practitioner authority): irs.gov/tax-professionals/circular-230-tax-professionals
· Virginia CPA license verification (Arik Rozen #025991): dhp.virginia.go
· UK-US Tax Convention (HM Treasury): gov.uk/government/publications/usa-tax-treaties
File Your U.S. LLC Taxes — $448 Flat
U.S. CPA-signed. Form 5472 + Form 1120. Built for UK founders. No surprises.
AR Arik Rozen, CPA, MBA
U.S.-licensed CPA · Virginia License #025991 · Verifiable at dhp.virginia.gov
Arik specialises in IRS compliance for foreign-owned U.S. LLCs. He is not a UK accountant and does not provide HMRC advice. All IRS content on this site is prepared and reviewed by a licensed U.S. CPA.
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