Accepting payments through your US company
For many non-US founders, a payment processor is the main reason to form a US company. Stripe, for example, does not support businesses registered in every country, but it does support US LLCs and corporations owned by people who live abroad. Once approved, you can accept cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and subscriptions from customers around the world, with payouts to your US business bank account.
Processors check your company carefully at onboarding and again when payments start to flow. Most problems come from details that do not match, or from a website that does not show what you sell.
Who this is for
- SaaS founders who need recurring billing in US dollars.
- E-commerce and digital product sellers moving off a marketplace to their own checkout.
- Agencies and consultants who want clients to pay invoices by card.
- Founders whose processor account was paused and who want to understand why.
What you need before you apply
A processor links four things together: your company, your tax ID, your bank account and the person who controls it. They must match.
- A US LLC or corporation, with the legal name exactly as filed with the state.
- An EIN from the IRS in that same name.
- A US business bank account in the company's name for payouts.
- A passport for each owner and the representative who manages the account.
- A live website with your products, prices, contact details, refund policy and terms.
- A US business address and phone number.
What BookMyLLC handles
- A pre-application check that your company, EIN letter and bank details match.
- A website review against what processors look for: clear products, prices, policies and contact details.
- Guidance through the Stripe, PayPal or alternative processor application.
- Configuring payouts, statement descriptors and basic subscription or invoice settings.
- Help with document requests if the processor asks for more after sign-up.
Step-by-step process
- Pick a processor. We look at your business model and countries of sale. Some processors do not accept certain industries.
- Check your documents. Company name, EIN, address and bank account all line up.
- Prepare the website. Missing policies are a common reason for delays.
- Apply. You submit identity verification yourself, with our guidance on each field.
- Configure. Payouts, descriptors, tax settings and checkout are set up.
- Test. A test payment confirms the flow before you launch.
Timeline
If everything matches, many processors approve accounts within a few days. Some approve instantly and review later, once payments start. Additional document requests or a first payout hold are normal for new accounts and can add a week or more.
Processing fees and PCI compliance
Each processor sets its own transaction fees, and they vary by card type, currency and country. Check the processor's current pricing page before choosing. Hosted checkouts such as Stripe Checkout or PayPal buttons keep card data off your servers, which keeps your PCI compliance work simple.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying before the EIN and bank account are ready. Accounts opened with placeholder details often get paused later.
- Selling a restricted product. Each processor publishes a list of restricted businesses. Read it first.
- A mismatched descriptor. If customers do not recognise the charge on their statement, you get disputes.
- Ignoring disputes. A high dispute rate is one of the fastest ways to lose an account.
- Relying on one processor. A backup account avoids a total stop if the first one reviews you.
Choosing a processor
There is no single best payment processor. The right one depends on what you sell, where your customers are and how you charge. These are the points we compare for you.
- Business model. Subscriptions, one-off sales, marketplaces with sellers, and invoices each suit different tools. Stripe is strong for subscriptions and developer-built checkouts. PayPal is widely trusted by consumers and adds a familiar button to checkout.
- Restricted industries. Every processor publishes a list of businesses it will not serve or will only serve with extra review. Travel, supplements, financial services and some digital goods are common examples. Check this before you build around a processor.
- Customer countries and methods. Buyers in Europe may expect local methods, while US buyers mainly use cards and wallets. Some processors support many local methods; others focus on cards.
- Payout currency. Most US processors pay out in USD to a US bank account. If you need other currencies, a multi-currency account can receive the payouts.
- Holds and reserves. New accounts can have delayed first payouts or a rolling reserve, especially for pre-orders or high-ticket goods. Plan cash flow for this.
Handling disputes and chargebacks
A chargeback happens when a customer asks their bank to reverse a card payment. You can respond with evidence, such as delivery proof, login records or your refund policy. Processors watch your dispute rate closely, and a rate that stays high can lead to account closure. Clear product descriptions, a recognisable statement descriptor and quick refunds for genuine complaints keep disputes low.
Related services
If you do not have the basics yet, start with US LLC formation, then an EIN and a bank account. Our Stripe Atlas comparison explains the formation options. See current pricing.
Payment gateway at a glance
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| What it does | Lets your website or invoices accept cards and wallets and sends the money to your account. |
| Common providers | Stripe, PayPal and similar processors. |
| Requirements | A US company, EIN, bank or payment account and a working website. |
| Fees | Per-transaction fees set by the provider, often a percentage plus a fixed amount. |
| Payout timing | Set by the provider; new accounts often see longer holds. |
What a processor checks on your website
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Clear description of what you sell | Confirms the business is real and permitted |
| Prices and currency | Avoids disputes about what customers agreed to pay |
| Refund and cancellation policy | Required for card payments and protects you in disputes |
| Contact details and business address | Customers and the processor need a way to reach you |
| Terms and privacy policy | Basic legal pages, expected of any seller |
A missing policy page is among the most common reasons an application is held. Our portfolio website service includes these pages.
Chargebacks and compliance
A chargeback happens when a cardholder disputes a payment through their bank. The processor takes the money back and charges a fee while the dispute runs. Clear descriptions, receipts and responsive support reduce them, and a high rate can lead the processor to limit or close an account. Card data rules, known as PCI compliance, are mostly handled by the processor when you use its hosted checkout, which is a good reason to prefer it over custom card forms.
Choosing a processor
| Factor | What to compare |
|---|---|
| Countries and currencies supported | Whether your customers can pay as they expect |
| Fees | Percentage, fixed amount and any extra for currency conversion |
| Payout schedule | How soon money reaches your account |
| Reserves and holds | Whether the provider can delay funds |
| Integration | Whether it works with your site or invoicing |
Opening two accounts with different providers is a sensible backup if a single account is paused for review.
Setting up checkout properly
- Show the full price, including taxes and shipping, before payment.
- Use clear descriptor text so customers recognise the charge on their statement.
- Send receipts by email.
- Make support contact details easy to find.
