Plan the company before you form it
Most expensive mistakes in US company setup happen before the first filing. Founders pick Delaware because they heard it is best, form an LLC when investors will want a C-Corp, or choose a state they will owe tax in twice. A short planning call fixes those choices while they are still free to change.
This consultation is a structured conversation with our team about your business, where you live, who your customers are and what you want the company to do in the next two or three years. You leave with a clear recommendation and a list of next steps.
Who this is for
- First-time founders outside the US who want a US entity but are not sure which one.
- Freelancers and agencies deciding whether a US LLC makes sense for billing US clients.
- SaaS and e-commerce founders who plan to raise money or sell on US marketplaces.
- Owners of an existing company in India, the UK or the UAE considering a US subsidiary.
- Anyone who has read conflicting advice online and wants one clear answer for their situation.
What we cover on the call
Entity type
An LLC is simpler and cheaper to run, and for a single non-resident owner it is usually a disregarded entity with no US income tax if there is no US trade or business. A C-Corp pays corporate tax but is what US venture investors expect. We walk through which one fits your plans, and when converting later makes sense. Our LLC vs C-Corp guide is good background reading.
State of formation
Wyoming, Delaware and New Mexico are common choices for non-residents, each for different reasons: annual cost, privacy, legal familiarity. If you will have staff or an office in a particular state, that state may matter more. We compare them using your numbers, and you can see the state comparison side by side.
Banking and payments
We explain what US banks and payment processors ask non-resident owners for, and how the documents you create at formation affect approval later.
Ongoing compliance
Every US company owes something each year: a state report or tax, a registered agent, and IRS filings such as Form 5472 for foreign-owned single-member LLCs. We list what your company will owe so there are no surprises.
What BookMyLLC handles
- A scheduled video or phone call with a team member who works with non-resident founders every day.
- A short pre-call questionnaire so the time is spent on your situation, not basics.
- A written summary after the call with the recommended entity, state and next steps.
- Referrals to a CPA or attorney where your question needs licensed advice.
Step-by-step process
- Book a time. Choose a slot on our booking page that suits your time zone.
- Fill in the questionnaire. Tell us your country of residence, business model, expected customers and whether you plan to raise money.
- Talk it through. We go through entity type, state, banking, tax filings and costs, and answer your questions.
- Get the summary. You receive the recommendation in writing, so you can share it with a co-founder or accountant.
- Decide in your own time. There is no obligation to form with us after the call.
What to prepare
- A two-line description of what the business sells and to whom.
- Where the founders live and hold citizenship.
- Whether you have or expect US customers, US staff, US inventory or a US office.
- Any existing companies you own in other countries.
- Your funding plans: bootstrapped, angel money or venture capital.
What happens after the call
Most founders leave the call with one of three outcomes. Some are ready to form and want to start the same week. Some need to talk to a co-founder, investor or home-country accountant first, and use the written summary to do that. A few learn that a US company is not yet the right move, for example because their customers, bank and payment processor are all local, and they save the cost.
If you decide to go ahead, the summary becomes your checklist: entity, state, name options, EIN, bank, payment processor and the first year's filings, in order. You can bring it to us or to anyone else. If a question came up that needs a licensed answer, such as how your home country taxes income from a US LLC, the summary notes it so you can raise it with the right professional.
Timeline
Calls are usually available within a few business days of booking, depending on time zones. The written summary typically follows within a day or two of the call.
Common mistakes this call helps you avoid
- Forming a C-Corp you do not need. Corporate tax and extra filings cost real money for a small service business that will never raise capital.
- Forming an LLC when you will raise venture money. Conversion is possible but adds cost and delay at the worst time.
- Choosing a state because of a blog post. The cheapest state to form in is not always the cheapest state to operate in.
- Assuming no income means no filings. Foreign-owned LLCs have IRS filing duties even in years with zero revenue.
- Ignoring your home-country tax. A US company does not remove your tax obligations where you live. Your local accountant needs to know about it.
Our team is not a law firm or CPA firm. The call gives practical guidance on setup and compliance, not legal or tax advice. Where your question needs a licensed professional, such as tax residency or treaty benefits, we say so and point you to one.
Consultation at a glance
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free. |
| Format | A call, with a short written summary afterwards. |
| Who it is for | Founders deciding on a US company, state or structure. |
| What to prepare | Your business model, where your customers are and what you expect to earn. |
| What follows | A recommendation and next steps, with no obligation. |
Decisions we help you make
| Decision | Questions we ask |
|---|---|
| LLC or C-Corp | Will you raise investor money? Who are the owners? |
| State | Where do you operate, and what does the state charge to stay compliant? |
| Banking and payments | Where do customers pay from, and what volume do you expect? |
| Tax | Where do owners live, and what will they report at home? |
The best use of the call is to bring a real plan, even a rough one. A specific question gets a specific answer, and a clear picture avoids a company that does not fit what you actually do.
What you take away from the call
- A recommended entity type and state, with reasons.
- A list of the filings and registrations you will need, in order.
- A rough budget for formation and for the first year of upkeep.
- The next three steps, so you are not left guessing.
There is no obligation to buy anything afterwards, and the summary is yours to use with any provider. If you decide to go ahead, LLC formation and C-Corp formation are the usual next steps.
Common outcomes of the call
| Your situation | Typical recommendation |
|---|---|
| Freelancer or agency billing international clients | A single-member LLC in a low-cost state |
| E-commerce seller on US marketplaces | An LLC, with an EIN and a payment account |
| Startup planning to raise investor money | A Delaware C-Corp |
| Not yet sure of the business | Wait and focus on the plan before forming |
These are starting points, not rules. The right answer depends on your customers, your owners and where you live.
