US company formation

LLC or C-Corp for a non-resident owner

Both can be formed remotely. The difference shows up in taxes and in what you can do with the company later. There is no universal answer: it depends on how you will earn and what you plan next.

• C-Corp. A separate legal entity. You can sell it, split equity and raise investment. A non-resident owner generally does not file a personal US return, and opening a bank account remotely is usually smoother.
• LLC. A workable option that we form all the time. Know the trade-offs upfront: the owner will need an ITIN when the first tax return is filed, a personal return is required, and you become exposed to US taxation.
• Still unsure? Take the LLC or C-Corp quiz or walk through your revenue model with a specialist.

Choosing the right state

If you live in the US, your home state is usually the natural choice. If you live abroad, we look at your business model: where your customers, inventory or contractors are, and whether you need a US bank account and an Amazon seller account.

The state drives annual fees, state reporting and how fast you can make changes later. In some states, for example, an ownership change at the state level takes months, which matters if you plan a company, bank account and Amazon setup together. The state selection quiz gives you a quick shortlist.

Owner documents and address

Every owner needs a verified residential address outside Russia, confirmed by an English-language document such as an ID or a lease. We review documents before filing, since even valid IDs get rejected when they look unusual.

No document proving your address, or no US address at all? We can form the company in Georgia using an address that requires no proof of residence. For clients of our bank account program, the address question is handled as part of the service.

Getting an EIN without an SSN

A company cannot open a bank account or start operating without an EIN. We obtain the EIN as part of formation. For an owner with no SSN or ITIN, the standard timeline is 4 to 8 weeks. For a C-Corp, an expedited EIN in 1 business day after state formation is available.

If timing is critical, we confirm expedited options for your specific state and give you the final terms before you pay.

How the process works

• Intro call. What you plan to open, where you live, what the company is for and whether you can confirm your address.
• Recommendation. Structure, state and address. If you need deeper analysis, we suggest a separate consultation.
• Questionnaire. We collect formation details and send them back to you for a final check. The company is formed exactly as approved.
• Filing. State filing and the EIN application.
• Next steps. Documents handed over; banking, bookkeeping and compliance if you need them.

Compliance after formation

Formation is the start, not the finish. Your company now has recurring obligations: a state annual report, registered agent renewal and federal tax filings. A single-member LLC owned by a non-resident typically files a pro forma Form 1120 with Form 5472 from its first year, even with no income. Missed deadlines lead to IRS penalties and loss of good standing with the state.

You can hand this off to us: bookkeeping and state compliance and US tax return filing.