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SOBBETRADE CONSULTING

US Annual Tax & Company Compliance

Manage federal tax and state obligations in one plan.

A US company's annual obligations depend on its entity type, federal tax classification, ownership and state. We handle federal filings and state-side renewals in a single annual plan.

01Federal & state

Two levels of government, two calendars.

Federal

01

The IRS and federal tax

Federal tax returns and information returns, determined by the company's tax classification and ownership.

Examples

  • Income tax returns
  • Foreign-ownership reporting
  • Statements to partners

Not

  • A state annual report
  • A Registered Agent renewal

State

02

State registry and state obligations

The rules of the states where the company is formed and does business; names, frequency, fees and deadlines differ from state to state.

Depending on the state

  • Annual Report or similar filings
  • Annual taxes or fees
  • Maintaining a Registered Agent

Not

  • A federal income tax return

02Tax classification

Not every LLC files the same return.

The federal filing depends more on tax classification and ownership than on legal form. The table shows common cases; elections and other facts can change the result.

Default classification

SMLLCDisregarded entity (not separate from its owner)

MMLLCPartnership

CorpC corporation

Election

SMLLCCan elect to be taxed as a corporation on Form 8832

MMLLCCan elect to be taxed as a corporation on Form 8832

CorpS corporation status depends on eligibility; nonresident alien individuals can't be S corporation shareholders

Federal filing (example)

SMLLCIf foreign-owned with reportable transactions: Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120

MMLLCForm 1065 and Schedule K-1s to partners

CorpForm 1120; Form 5472 for reportable transactions where 25%+ is foreign-owned

Who bears the tax

SMLLCIncome is assessed at owner level, depending on the owner's position

MMLLCIncome flows to partners; withholding rules can apply for foreign partners

CorpCorporate income tax at company level

General deadline (calendar year)

SMLLCApril 15

MMLLCMarch 15

CorpApril 15

Examples only; elections, ownership changes, the nature of the activity and other facts can require different filings. Form 7004 requests an extension of time to file, not to pay. This is not tax advice.

03Foreign ownership

Foreign ownership can add reporting.

Under IRS rules, a single-member LLC wholly owned by a foreign person is treated as a corporation for these reporting purposes: if it has reportable transactions with its owner or related parties (for example, the owner putting money into or taking money out of the company), it files Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120. This applies whether or not the company owes tax.

The IRS's initial penalty for failing to file a complete Form 5472 on time is $25,000. Multi-member LLCs and corporations with foreign owners can face different reporting and withholding rules.

What we consider

  • Owners' residence
  • Ownership percentages
  • Transactions with the company
  • Nature of the income
  • Tax classification

Profit ≠ filing obligation

No profit doesn't mean no filing.

No sales, no profit or no tax due doesn't by itself remove federal or state filing requirements. Profit alone doesn't decide which form is filed either; that depends on the company's classification and facts.

What decides the filing

  • Entity type
  • Tax classification
  • Ownership
  • Transactions
  • State

Obligations are reviewed every year against the company's structure and that year's facts.

EIN ≠ ITIN

The company's number and the owner's number are different.

An EIN is the tax identification number the IRS issues to businesses and other entities. An ITIN is an individual number for people who need a US taxpayer identification number for federal tax purposes but aren't eligible for a Social Security number (SSN).

Where they're used

  • EIN: company returns
  • EIN: banking and payments
  • ITIN: personal federal returns

The company's EIN

The owner's ITIN

An ITIN doesn't give work authorisation, immigration status or Social Security benefits.

ITIN

Whether an owner needs an ITIN depends on their own tax position.

An owner needs an ITIN if they personally must file a US federal tax return or otherwise need a US taxpayer identification number. That depends on the company's structure and the nature of the income, for example whether income is connected with a US trade or business. The company making a profit doesn't by itself create an ITIN requirement.

Applications are made on Form W-7, generally with a federal tax return. ITINs not used on a return for three consecutive years expire. The IRS issues ITINs, and issuance can't be guaranteed.

What we consider

  • Personal filing requirement
  • Nature of the income
  • Company structure
  • Existing ITIN

Annual Report

A state report isn't a tax return.

An Annual Report is generally a state filing that updates company information on the state register; it isn't a federal income tax return. Not every state has one, and the name, frequency, fee and deadline vary by state.

Examples: in Wyoming, the annual report is due on the first day of the anniversary month of formation, with a license tax based on assets. In Delaware, LLCs don't file an annual report but pay an annual tax by June 1 each year.

Depending on the state

  • Company details
  • Managers
  • Registered Agent
  • Fee or tax

04Registered Agent & address

A Registered Agent address isn't your business address.

Registered Agent

Official service and state compliance

The person or company that receives official documents and legal notices for the company under state law. Maintaining one is generally required while the company is active; a lapse can affect the company's standing in the state.

Purpose

  • Official documents and notices
  • Information on state records
  • Continuity

Not

  • An accounting service
  • The company's operating address

Business address

Business and mailing address

The address used for correspondence and for bank, payment-provider or marketplace details. Which address is accepted depends on the state, the institution and the purpose.

Used for

  • Correspondence
  • Bank and platform details
  • State records (by state)

Doesn't guarantee

  • Bank approval
  • Amazon or Stripe verification
  • KYC approval

05Annual compliance map

We decide in the same order every year.

This is a decision flow; not every company needs every step. Changes in ownership, state or activity during the year can change the outcome.

  1. 01Identify the entity
  2. 02Confirm the tax classification
  3. 03Review ownership
  4. 04Determine the federal filing
  5. 05Determine state obligations
  6. 06Annual Report / state renewal
  7. 07Registered Agent & address continuity
  8. 08ITIN, if individually required

The annual process follows this year's facts, not the assumptions made at formation.

We plan the federal and state sides on one calendar and track deadlines and renewals together.

Plan Your US Annual Filings

Service scope

From federal filings to state renewals.

Scope is defined around the company's structure; not every module is needed for every company.

Define the Scope Together

Federal & tax identity

  • Annual federal filing support — With qualified professionals where needed
  • Foreign-owner reporting coordination
  • EIN / tax identity coordination
  • ITIN application support — Where required

State & company

  • Annual Report support — Where the state requires one
  • Registered Agent service / renewal
  • Business address renewal
  • Annual compliance review

Transparency

We coordinate the process. We don't guarantee IRS or state decisions.

We handle the preparation and coordination of annual filings; tax outcomes, ITIN issuance and bank, Amazon or payment-provider verification depend on the relevant institutions. Rules and fees can change, and the current position is confirmed each year. This information is general and is not individual tax or legal advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

About US annual compliance

See all questions
Does every US LLC file the same tax return?

No. A single-member LLC is disregarded from its owner by default, a multi-member LLC is taxed as a partnership, and LLCs can elect to be taxed as corporations. The filing depends on that classification, the ownership and other facts.

Can an LLC with no profit still have filing obligations?

Yes. No profit or no sales doesn't by itself remove federal or state filings. For example, a foreign-owned single-member LLC with reportable transactions files Form 5472 even if no tax is due, and state fees and reports can apply regardless of activity.

What federal filing does a foreign-owned single-member LLC make?

Under IRS rules, a single-member LLC wholly owned by a foreign person files Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 if it has reportable transactions with its owner or related parties. The IRS's initial penalty for not filing a complete form on time is $25,000. We review this each year against the company's transactions.

When are federal returns due?

For calendar-year companies, the partnership return (Form 1065) is generally due March 15, and the corporate return (Form 1120) and a foreign-owned single-member LLC's pro forma 1120 / 5472 are due April 15. Form 7004 extends the time to file, not to pay.

Is an Annual Report a tax return?

No. An Annual Report is generally a state filing that updates company information on the state register; it isn't a federal income tax return. Some states charge a fee or tax with it.

Does every state require an annual report?

No. Rules vary by state and entity type. For example, in Wyoming the annual report is due on the first day of the anniversary month, while in Delaware LLCs don't file an annual report but pay an annual tax by June 1.

What happens if an Annual Report or state tax is missed?

Consequences depend on the state and can include late penalties, interest and loss of good standing. For example, Wyoming can start dissolution if an annual report isn't paid within 60 days of its due date.

Do I need to renew my Registered Agent every year?

States generally require a Registered Agent for as long as the company is active. Agreements with providers are usually periodic; letting one lapse can mean official notices aren't received and can affect the company's standing in the state.

Can the Registered Agent address be my business address?

Generally no; they serve different purposes. The Registered Agent address is for official service of documents, while a business or mailing address is set separately, and which address is accepted depends on the state, bank or platform.

If my company makes a profit, do I need an ITIN?

Profit alone doesn't decide it. Whether you need an ITIN depends on whether you personally must file a US federal tax return or otherwise need a taxpayer identification number, which depends on the company's structure and the nature of the income.

How do you support ITIN applications?

Where the annual tax structure requires an eligible owner to get an ITIN, we prepare the Form W-7 application and supporting documents with you and coordinate the process. The IRS issues ITINs, and issuance can't be guaranteed.

Can you coordinate federal and state annual compliance together?

Yes. We can track federal filings, state reports, Registered Agent and address renewals and, where needed, the ITIN process in one annual plan. Scope depends on the company's structure.

US Annual Compliance

Let's map out your US company's year.

Share your entity type, ownership and state, and we'll work out what's needed on the federal and state side.