U.S. Income Taxation of Foreign Parties: A Primer

Over the last five years for which data are available, the number of foreign corporations showing net income on Form 1120F, U.S. Income Tax Return of a Foreign Corporation, has increased 36.5 percent. [1] In addition, the number of individuals granted temporary stays in the United States as non-immigrants has steadily increased from 9.5 million in 1985 to 24.8 million in 1996, an average annual increase of 9.1 percent. [2] These increases evidence growing opportunities to serve international clients and suggest that tax professionals must have a fundamental working knowledge of the way the U.S. tax system treats foreign parties. [3] This article analyzes the basic provisions for tax professionals who wish to obtain such knowledge and highlights tax planning opportunities.