Owning a US LLC from Europe is operationally simple — until you miss a filing. This is the complete compliance picture for a European founder with a single-member, foreign-owned US LLC in 2026: what to file, when, what it costs, and what happens if you skip it.
The 2026 compliance calendar at a glance
| Deadline | Filing | Who | Penalty if missed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Within 30 days of formation | BOI report (FinCEN) | All LLCs | $500/day, up to $10,000 |
| April 15, 2026 | Form 5472 + pro-forma 1120 (IRS) | Foreign-owned LLCs | $25,000 flat |
| Varies by state | State annual report | WY: yes ($60) · NM/MO: none | Dissolution |
| Anniversary date | Registered Agent renewal | All LLCs | Loss of good standing |
| Your country's deadline | Home-country income declaration | You personally | Local penalties |
Federal: the two filings that actually matter
1. BOI report (Beneficial Ownership Information). Filed once with FinCEN within 30 days of formation, then updated within 30 days whenever ownership or address changes. It is free to file and takes 15 minutes — yet skipping it is the single most expensive mistake available: $500 per day. Our BOI guide for foreign-owned LLCs walks through it field by field.
2. Form 5472 + pro-forma 1120. Every foreign-owned single-member LLC must file this information return by April 15, even with zero revenue. There is no tax due with it — it simply reports "reportable transactions" between you and your LLC (capital contributions count). The penalty for not filing is a flat $25,000, and the IRS has been issuing these automatically since 2024. Read the real penalty stories if you need motivation.
What you generally do NOT owe: US federal income tax. If your LLC has no US office and no US employees, your income is typically not "Effectively Connected Income" — you pay income tax in your country of residence instead, not in the US.
State: depends entirely on where you formed
- New Mexico — no annual report, no state fee, nothing. This is why it is the cheapest state to maintain.
- Missouri — no annual report for LLCs.
- Wyoming — $60 annual report due on your formation anniversary.
All three need an active Registered Agent (included in your first year with us, ~$49-99/year after). If you are still choosing a state, Wyoming vs New Mexico compares ongoing costs side by side.
Stop reading. Start filing.
Your LLC could be live by tomorrow morning. From $289. 100% money-back if rejected.
Home country: the part most guides skip
The LLC is "transparent" for most European tax systems — its profit is your personal income the moment it is earned, not when you transfer it to your personal account.
- Spain — declare LLC profit as personal income (IRPF). The US-Spain treaty prevents double taxation. Modelo 720 may apply to your US accounts over €50,000.
- Germany — transparent treatment; declare in your Einkommensteuererklärung. The Außensteuergesetz can apply if the LLC looks like a shell — keep real activity documented.
- France — declare via formulaire 2047. France may treat an LLC as opaque in some cases; get a one-time consult.
- Portugal — NHR (now IFICI) holders may achieve favourable treatment on foreign business income; transparency still applies.
- Estonia / e-residents — Estonian e-Residency does NOT change anything about US LLC compliance; both run in parallel.
One hour with a local accountant who has seen US-LLC structures costs €100-200 and prevents the classic mistake: assuming "no US tax" means "no tax".
The realistic annual budget
For a New Mexico LLC owned by a European founder:
- State: €0
- Registered Agent (year 2+): ~€90
- Form 5472 preparation (accountant): €150-300, or €0 if you file yourself
- BOI updates: €0
- Home-country accountant consult: €100-200
Total: roughly €350-600/year. Compare that with the €1,000+ "compliance packages" some providers upsell — see what is actually included in our hidden fees breakdown.
Checklist for your first 12 months
- ✅ BOI filed within 30 days of formation
- ✅ EIN received and stored (CP 575 letter)
- ✅ Operating Agreement signed and stored
- ✅ Calendar reminder: Form 5472 — April 15
- ✅ Calendar reminder: Wyoming annual report (if WY) — formation anniversary
- ✅ One consult with a local accountant before your first home-country declaration
- ✅ Separate business bank account — never mix personal and LLC money
Running a SaaS or freelancing through the LLC changes nothing above — the calendar is identical. See US LLC for SaaS founders for the operating side.
How LLCora handles this
Every plan includes the BOI filing, EIN, Operating Agreement and first-year Registered Agent — the four items founders most often get wrong on their own. We also send you the April 15 reminder. Compare plans or start with the broader guide to opening a US LLC from Europe.