Contractor · Texas, IN · Member since 2016 · 29 posts · 12 votes
Hi everybody.
I have a question on the tax/legal side here.
Does an LLC created in the United States under the law of the U.S. and the any state, whose managers/members are foreign individuals, is subject to the FIRTPA withholding when selling a U.S. real estate property ?
Having read the IRS 26 U.S. Code § 7701 - Definitions, my understanding is that the answer is NO, but maybe I am wrong.
As the actual rate of withholding is 15% of the sales price, and as the refund (if any) would be "within 90 days", it can be a major setback for my company´s flipping cash-flow because 15% is way higher than the taxable income (and of course than the tax itself), so we would be in the necessity of capital injections to flip the next properties.
If any of you have comments on this, it would be very helpful.
Tom, I read what you send me and it has many answer to my inquiry. I complemented it looking for more documents at the IRS site with Lance’s words and it was extremely helpful.
Indeed, a multimember LLC can select how to be taxed sending a form to the IRS and, If taxed as a partnership or corporation, not be subject to FIRPTA because it is not a flow through entity (for this tax withholding purpose ) anymore.
Anyway, I want to have a meeting with a real estate experienced CPA in the DFW area in order to clarify any details and establish an LLC with everything covered. At the moment I am in Miami visiting my daughter but on the 18th I'll be visiting my son in Dallas, where my wife and I would like to continue our RE investing in flipping houses.
A multi-member LLC taxed as a Partnership with foreign partners is not subject to FIRPTA.
Hey Lance, it appears you are correct however partnerships would then have to withhold under partnership holding requirements on ECTI correct? Do you know if this would occurr at the time of the real estate transaction or can the LLC members withhold at the LLC level and then submit with their tax return?