Schedule FE: Report With Respect to Foreign Entities (2025)
Massachusetts · Massachusetts DOR · Used for tax years 2025
Massachusetts Schedule FE is a report with respect to foreign entities. It records foreign corporation details, stock ownership, and income amounts from U.S. Form 5471, Schedule C, along with deductions, net income or loss, and other comprehensive income.
What you'll need
Have these documents and details ready to complete Schedule FE:
- U.S. Form 5471, Schedule C, for income amounts in U.S. dollars.
- The U.S. return as filed, for taxable income or loss.
- The corporation’s name and taxpayer identification number, plus the name and taxpayer identification number of the person filing U.S. Form 5471.
- The applicable filer categories and percentage of foreign corporation stock ownership.
- The foreign corporation’s name, employer identification number (if any), country of incorporation, address, business activity and activity code, and annual accounting period dates.
- Information about membership in a Massachusetts combined group and the worldwide or waters edge election.
- Amounts for deductions, net income or loss, and other comprehensive income requested on page 2.
The form requires statements for other income on line 9 and other deductions on line 17.
How to file
File electronically. The form states that paper returns will not be accepted.
For questions about electronic filing, call 617-887-6367. See the Massachusetts DOR electronic filing and payment requirements for more information. The form also refers to TIRs 16-9 and 21-9.
Common mistakes
- Sending a paper return: The form warns that electronic filing is required and paper returns will not be accepted.
- Including income tax expense or benefit on lines 16 or 17: Both lines explicitly tell you to exclude it.
- Leaving out supporting statements: Line 9 requires a statement for other income, and line 17 requires a statement for other deductions.
- Counting an amount already deducted elsewhere: Lines 11 and 14 specify compensation and depreciation not deducted elsewhere.
Questions people ask
Can I file Schedule FE on paper?
No. The form requires electronic filing and states that paper returns will not be accepted.
Where do the income amounts come from?
The income section calls for U.S. dollar amounts from U.S. Form 5471, Schedule C. The separate taxable income or loss field uses the U.S. return as filed.
Can I select more than one filer category?
Yes. The form says to check all categories that apply. It lists categories 2, 3, 4, 5a, 5b and 5c.
Do I need statements for other income or deductions?
Yes. The form requires a statement for other income on line 9 and for other deductions on line 17.
What accounting period dates does the form ask for?
Enter the beginning and ending dates of the foreign corporation’s annual accounting period in mm/dd/yyyy format.