Start a company
Opening a company in the United States🇺🇸
Common for founders outside the US who sell to US customers or need US payments.
Four steps, in the order they actually happen. For each one, the providers we would point a founder to — the ones that serve this country first.
What it costs, so far as we can prove
- FreeYou need an EIN before a US bank will open the account. It is free, direct from the IRS.
- $400 per yearDelaware annual tax for an LLC. It is a flat amount, not a percentage of profit, and it is owed whether or not the company traded.
We are not showing a first-year total, because these are still missing and we will not guess them:
- State filing fee for the Certificate of Formation.
Form the company
Registration, registered address and the founding documents.
What this step requires
Every Delaware entity must keep a registered agent located in Delaware.
Delaware Division of Corporations · read 2026-09-20
State filing fee for the Certificate of Formation.not verified
The Division publishes its fee schedule as a PDF rather than on the page, so we have not read the figure ourselves. Ask the provider for the filing fee in writing before you budget.
Delaware Division of Corporations · read 2026-09-20
Who does it
- Doolafrom $297serves this country
All-in-one platform for global founders launching an LLC or C-Corp in the US. EIN, bank account, and compliance included.
- Firstbase.iofrom $399serves this country
Launch your US LLC or C-Corp from any country. Includes registered agent, EIN, and business bank account.
- Stripe Atlas$500 one-timeserves this country
Incorporate a C-Corp or LLC in Delaware in days. Includes bank account, Stripe activated, and access to startup resources.
Open a business account
You need somewhere to be paid before you can sell.
What this step requires
You need an EIN before a US bank will open the account. It is free, direct from the IRS.
- Cost
- Free
- Due
- About 4 business days by fax, about 4 weeks by mail. Applicants outside the US can also apply by phone on +1 267-941-1099.
Anyone forming a US entity · IRS — Employer Identification Number · read 2026-09-20
Who does it
- BrexFreeserves this country
Business account and corporate credit card for startups. No personal guarantee required, cashback on SaaS and travel expenses.
- MercuryFreeserves this country
Banking for US startups. No monthly fees, API for automations, modern dashboard. Accepts non-residents.
- Airwallexfrom $0works across countries
Great for e-commerce and global scale-ups. Multi-currency accounts, virtual cards and international payments at competitive rates.
Set up bookkeeping and tax
Cheaper to start right than to reconstruct a year later.
What this step requires
Delaware annual tax for an LLC. It is a flat amount, not a percentage of profit, and it is owed whether or not the company traded.
- Cost
- $400 per year
- Due
- On or before 1 June each year· next 1 June 2027, in 253 days
- If you miss it
- $200 penalty plus 1.5% interest per month on tax and penalty
Delaware Division of Corporations — alternative entity tax · read 2026-09-20
A US single-member LLC owned by a non-US person files a pro forma Form 1120 with Form 5472 attached, even with no income and no tax to pay.
- Due
- The due date of that Form 1120, including extensions
- If you miss it
- $25,000, and a further $25,000 if the failure continues more than 90 days after the IRS notifies you
Single-member LLCs with a non-US owner · IRS — Instructions for Form 5472 · read 2026-09-20
Who does it
- Benchfrom $299/moserves this country
Online bookkeeping for US small businesses. Certified bookkeeping team plus proprietary software. Ideal for early-stage LLCs.
- Pilotfrom $499/moserves this country
Bookkeeping and tax preparation for US startups. Virtual CFO, Stripe and QuickBooks integration.
- TaxJarfrom $19/moserves this country
Automated Sales Tax management for US e-commerce. Calculation, filing and state-by-state compliant reporting.
Contracts and compliance
Terms, privacy and the licences your activity needs.
What this step requires
Companies created in the United States no longer file a beneficial ownership information report. The requirement now applies only to foreign companies registered to do business in the US.
- Due
- Foreign registrants: 30 days from the notice that registration is effective
Relevant because most guides still say the opposite · FinCEN — Beneficial Ownership Information (final rule effective 14 August 2026) · read 2026-09-20
Who does it
- Clerkyfrom $99serves this country
Legal documents for Delaware startups. SAFE notes, NDA, offer letters, stock option plans. Used by thousands of Y Combinator startups.
- Rocket Lawyerfrom $39.99/moserves this country
One of the largest online legal document providers. Contracts, LLC formation, wills and legal advice on subscription.
- Legalzoomfrom $79works across countries
Company formation, registered trademarks, contracts and legal compliance. The most used online legal service.
How this list is made
Providers are listed because they cover the step and the country, never because of a rating or a commission. Some links may earn FiscEdge a referral fee, at no cost to you. Prices are the ones the provider publishes and change without notice — check before you buy. This is information, not legal, tax or accounting advice.
Not sure this is your country?
Tell us what you want to build and we will show what matters for your case, what is still unknown, and where to start.
Open the company builder