The Nigerian US LLC Compliance Problem
Thousands of Nigerian entrepreneurs — especially in Lagos tech (Yaba), fintech, and e-commerce — have formed US LLCs through Stripe Atlas, ZenBusiness, or Doola. Many earn from these entities. Almost none know about Form 5472.
Every foreign-owned, single-member US LLC must file Form 5472 + pro forma Form 1120 annually — even with zero revenue.
Penalty for missing: $25,000 per year. Automatic. No warnings.
Nigeria has no comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States. US withholding rates (up to 30%) apply by default on US-sourced income. An ITIN is essential for IRS compliance and to file US tax returns to recover excess withholding.
What Nigerian LLC Owners Need
- ✅ EIN — LLC's tax ID (from IRS Form SS-4)
- ✅ ITIN — Your personal tax ID as foreign owner — required on Form 5472
- ✅ Annual filing — April 15 deadline (October 15 with extension)
Common Nigerian LLC Scenarios
- Stripe Atlas LLC — gives EIN only; ITIN for Form 5472 still required
- Wyoming LLC for SaaS or fintech — zero-revenue LLCs still must file
- Amazon FBA US LLC — ITIN needed for both Form 5472 and tax interview
- Mercury or Relay bank account — ITIN often requested for owner verification
- Y Combinator / investor-ready entity — full IRS compliance requires ITIN
⚠️ Don't Risk $25,000
Nigerian founders who used unregistered ITIN services and received CP567 rejections have faced $25,000+ penalties while waiting on re-applications. Use a registered IRS CAA — get it right the first time.
With the naira losing value, every dollar earned from US platforms is significant. Losing 30% to unnecessary IRS withholding — when an ITIN can eliminate it — is money Nigerians cannot afford to leave on the table.
ITIN · Protect your LLC · IRS Certified · Nigeria
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Form 5472 and do Nigerian LLC owners need to file it?
Yes. Every foreign-owned US LLC must file Form 5472 annually — even with zero revenue. The penalty for missing it is $25,000 automatic, per year. An ITIN is required to file.
Does a zero-revenue Nigerian LLC still need to file Form 5472?
Yes. The filing requirement is based on ownership structure, not revenue. Even a dormant LLC must file.
How is ITIN different from EIN?
EIN identifies your LLC (business). ITIN identifies you as the foreign individual owner. Both are needed for full US LLC compliance.
How much does ITIN Plus charge?
$99 flat fee. All-inclusive.
Get Your US ITIN — $99 Flat Fee
Protect your US LLC from a $25,000 IRS penalty. Get your ITIN for $99 — IRS-certified, remote, Nigeria.
Apply Now → +1 (305) 216-6992apply@itinplus.com