When something has gone wrong
The problems we cover for founders who are not US tax residents, grouped by the part of the business they hit.
Money: accounts and payouts
- Your business account was frozen, or a processor is holding your fundsBank-side triggers, Stripe reserves, the chargeback ladder, and how to tell which one you hit.
- A payout platform rejected your US routing numberAmazon KDP, Stripe payouts and payroll platforms accept some US account numbers and reject others. How to tell which kind you hold.
- China's $50,000 forex quota is in the way of funding the LLCWhy capitalising an overseas LLC is not a permitted use of the quota, and how founders fund US entities in practice.
Tax: filings and penalties
- You missed a Form 5472, or are not sure you filed oneThe $25,000 penalty per form per year, the deadlines, the filing steps, and providers’ published prices.
- You own the LLC from China and Form 5472 applies to youWhy the initial capital contribution alone triggers the form, and when paying a relative in China means a second one.
- China's tax authority contacted you about offshore incomeThe State Tax Administration now gets offshore account data from 100+ countries. What prompts a call, and how to answer one.
Accountability: notices and audits
Entity: winding down
Dealing with this right now?
Tell us what happened. We read every request and reply within two business days. If we can help, the reply says how, and what it would cost if it needs hands-on work. Asking is free.
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