American LLC: Start a Business in the US
An American LLC (Limited Liability Company) is the perfect structure for digital nomads or expats to live legally tax-free. Open yours now!
US LLC: Your Company in the USA
The Advantages of a US LLC
A US LLC (Limited Liability Company) offers you these advantages, among others, regardless of the state of incorporation:
- Tax exemption (provided you are tax-exempt due to your tax residency or lack thereof)
- Aside from 10-minute forms, no bookkeeping is required
- Anonymity is possible due to the lack of a transparency register and no information exchange
- Excellent reputation for all business models; access to payment providers such as PayPal, Stripe, and Wise is also possible
- Asset protection, including protection against seizures.
The incorporation process
After placing your order, we will provide an incorporation form. We will need information such as:
- Your name
- Contact email
- Desired LLC name
- Alternative LLC name
- Company purpose
- Member names and information
- Member CPF / ITIN / SSN
- Copy of passport
This is all the information you need. If you provide this to us, we can currently open an LLC in just 1 week or less (in Florida, Wyoming, or Catawba). If you prefer to open in another state, processing times vary - Delaware takes 10 days, for example.
In Which State Should I Open My LLC?
We can potentially form an LLC in any US state. In general, we recommend the following states for LLC formation:
- Florida: Florida is easily accessible from outside the US, has a good reputation, bank headquarters that are friendly to non-residents, and no local laws that could negatively affect your LLC.
- Wyoming: Wyoming is fast for incorporations, has laws for DAOs, and offers anonymity.
A popular state we do not recommend is Delaware. The formation time in the state is longer (up to 10 days if you don't pay extra), the annual maintenance cost is higher (Delaware charges a 300 USD franchise tax, something that does not exist in other states like Florida and Wyoming), and the state has recently taken anti-business measures (preventing company redomestication).
The only truly relevant decision factor beyond your own preference and reputation is the state legislation regarding your business model.
Cannabis companies are better off in Colorado, gambling and affiliate businesses in Nevada, and those in adult entertainment in Florida. For standard services, retail, or digital products, however, it makes little difference.
More information about the US LLC
You can find more information and documents here:
- LLC information brochure
- Example of a formation document
- Example of an EIN tax identification number
- Article: Why Incorporating an LLC in the US Is a Good Idea
- Article: The 3 Main Offshore Structures – LLC, IBC, and LTDA
- Article: US LLC – 12 Excellent Use Cases and 2 Special Ones
- Article: US Company – When LLCs, LPs, or Corporations Are Worth It
- Article: Companies in the USA and Romania – The 2 Most Popular Countries and Their Use Cases
Simple. Transparent. No surprises.
Is a US LLC right for me?
We Recommend Opening a US LLC For:
- Entrepreneurs Seeking Simplicity and Savings: Ideal for those who want a company with a tax-free structure, low administrative complexity, and affordable operating costs.
- Businesses That Need Credibility: For those who want to increase trust among clients, suppliers, and business partners, especially in the US market, one of the most dynamic in the world.
- Professionals Who Need Access to Fintechs: Recommended for those looking to connect to major payment processors and financial services, as well as clients who want access to US credit card services.
- Entrepreneurs Who Value Asset Protection: For those who want a high level of asset protection in cases of litigation or expropriation.
- Remote Workers and Online Service Providers: Excellent for online service providers, dropshipping, and Amazon FBA sellers looking to optimize their operations. It is also useful for US residents.
We Do Not Recommend Opening a US LLC For:
- Clients Intending to Invest in the US Financial Market: Due to withholding tax on capital gains and estate taxes, a US LLC is not the best option for investors in this sector. Alternatives such as a company in Nevis or Panama may be more advantageous.
- Tax Residents in High-Tax Countries: A US LLC does not distribute dividends, but rather corporate profits, which may be taxed at high rates in high-tax countries, such as various European Union countries, Canada, and others. In this case, using an LLC may result in a less efficient tax burden.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
You can check directly in the state registry to see if your desired LLC name is still available. It must not already exist and should not be too similar to other companies, regardless of their legal structure. However, it would work for inactive companies. In the incorporation form, you will provide a primary name and an alternative. If neither is available, we will get back to you to ask for other options. You can access the Florida Registry here.
Member-Managed or Manager-Managed refers to how you appear in the business registry. If you are the sole owner of the LLC and do not require anonymity, you can choose Member-Managed and appear in the registry as the company owner.
This is important for some banks and can also be decisive for tax purposes (using the LLC for residents of European countries).
With Manager-Managed LLCs, on the other hand, only the managers appear in the business registry; the ownership level remains anonymous and is regulated internally in the Operating Agreement, which you will receive from us after formation. If you have more than one owner or desire more anonymity, you should choose Manager-Managed.
In principle, we will have already discussed this during the consultation.
You can make the payment via PayPal, Bitcoin, Pix, credit card, Zelle, or bank transfer.
We can issue an invoice for the consultation. Please send us your preferred billing address. We will form the LLC without payment, but we will request the EIN and send you the documents once the full amount has been paid.
We can potentially form an LLC in any US state. In general, we recommend the following states for LLC formation:
- Florida: Florida is easily accessible from outside the US, has a good reputation, is home to banks that are friendly to non-residents, and has no local laws that could negatively affect your LLC.
- Wyoming: Wyoming is fast for incorporations and offers anonymity.
A popular state that we do not recommend is Delaware. The registration time in the state is longer (up to 10 days), the annual maintenance cost is higher (Delaware charges a 300 USD franchise tax, which does not exist in states like Florida and Wyoming), and the state has recently taken anti-business measures (restricting company domiciliation).
States differ primarily in their taxes (income tax, corporate tax, sales tax), but this is practically irrelevant for you as a non-US citizen or resident.
The only truly relevant decision factor, beyond your own preference and reputation, is the state's legislation regarding your specific business model.
Cannabis companies are better off in Colorado or Washington, gambling and affiliate businesses in Nevada, and dating/erotic product providers are well-suited for Florida. For standard services, retail, or digital products, however, it makes little difference.
Of course, an address in Manhattan, Los Angeles, or Miami sounds better than one in Wyoming or Kentucky. You have the option to simply sign a contract yourself with a virtual office provider after we have established the LLC for you in the state of your choice.
Yes, if you have specific questions about forming your LLC, we would be happy to help. Please also send an email to usa@settee.io. Be sure to read the fact sheet and our articles above, where many other questions are answered. If you have further questions, you can of course also book a consultation with our team.
You will hear from us as soon as your LLC has been registered. We will contact you with your documents and other detailed information.