State & structure
We help you choose the state and structure that fit your plans, whether single-member or multi-member.
Specialty · LLC formation
LLC Formation for U.S. & Non-Resident Founders
Forming an LLC takes more than a state filing. We form your company in the right state, get your EIN, prepare your operating agreement and set up your tax calendar at the same time, so your business starts compliant from day one.
What's included
Everything your LLC needs to get started
State filing
We prepare and file your articles of organization with the state.
Registered agent
Every LLC needs a registered agent with a physical address in its state. We set this up for you.
EIN application
We apply for your Employer Identification Number with the IRS, including for owners without an SSN.
Operating agreement
A single-member or multi-member operating agreement that banks and payment platforms usually ask for.
Tax & compliance setup
Your annual state reports and federal filings on one calendar, plus bookkeeping setup if you want it.
Choosing a state
Which state is right for you?
There is no single best state. The right choice depends on where you live, where you do business and what you plan to do with the company. State fees change, so we confirm current fees in your quote.
| State | Often chosen because | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | Low ongoing costs, no state income tax, popular with non-resident founders | Annual report and fee each year |
| Delaware | Well known to investors and banks, established business courts | Annual LLC tax due each June |
| New Mexico | Low formation cost, no annual report for LLCs | Less familiar to some banks and partners |
| Florida | A good fit if you live or operate in Florida | Annual report due each spring |
| Your home state | Simplest if you have a physical presence there | Forming elsewhere can still require registering in your home state |
For non-resident founders
You can own a U.S. LLC from anywhere
You do not need to be a U.S. citizen or resident to form and own a U.S. LLC. You also do not need an SSN or ITIN to get an EIN. Owners without one cannot use the IRS online application, so the EIN is requested with Form SS-4, which we prepare and submit for you.
The part most formation services leave out is what comes after: a foreign-owned single-member LLC generally has to file Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 every year, and the penalty for missing it is $25,000. We put it on your calendar from the start.
LLC FormationU.S. & non-resident founders
- Step 1
- Choose the state and LLC structure that fit your business
- Step 2
- File articles of organization and appoint a registered agent
- Step 3
- Apply for your EIN with the IRS
- Step 4
- Prepare your operating agreement
- Step 5
- Set up your bookkeeping and annual tax calendar
Foreign owner? Your LLC will likely need Form 5472 every year. We set that up from the start.
After formation
What your LLC files each year
Forming the LLC is the start. These are the recurring filings we add to your calendar.
Annual report & fees
Most states require an annual report, and some charge an annual tax or fee. Your registered agent service is renewed each year too.
Your IRS filing
U.S.-owned single-member LLCs usually report on the owner's Form 1040. Multi-member LLCs file Form 1065. Foreign-owned single-member LLCs file Form 5472.
Tax preparation →Bookkeeping
Clean records from the first transaction make every filing faster and cheaper.
Bookkeeping →Pricing
Starting at $199 plus state fees
The final fee depends on the state you choose, whether the owner is a non-resident, and how many members the LLC has. State filing fees are passed through at cost and confirmed in your quote.
State chosenNon-resident ownerNumber of members
LLC formation$199+ state
Final price depends on complexity and scope.
Get a Custom Quote →
Why Shape Accounting
Formation by a tax team
8+years of U.S. tax and accounting work
450+clients served
5472expertise for foreign-owned LLCs
1team for formation, books and taxes
FAQ
LLC formation questions
Not sure which state to choose? Tell us where you live and what you sell, and we will recommend one.
Can a non-resident own a U.S. LLC?
Yes. There is no citizenship or residency requirement to form or own a U.S. LLC. You will need a registered agent in the state of formation, and the LLC will have U.S. filing obligations every year.
Do I need an SSN or ITIN to get an EIN?
No. Owners without an SSN or ITIN cannot use the IRS online application, but they can get an EIN by submitting Form SS-4. We prepare and submit it for you.
Which state should I form my LLC in?
It depends on where you live, where you do business and your plans for the company. Wyoming and New Mexico are popular for low ongoing costs, Delaware is familiar to investors, and your home state is often simplest if you have a physical presence there. We recommend a state after a short call.
Do I need a U.S. address?
Your LLC needs a registered agent with a physical address in the state where it is formed. We set up the registered agent as part of formation.
What do I need to file after my LLC is formed?
Usually a state annual report and, depending on ownership, a federal filing each year: the owner's Form 1040 for a U.S.-owned single-member LLC, Form 1065 for a multi-member LLC, or Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 for a foreign-owned single-member LLC.
How long does formation take?
It depends on the state's processing time and how the EIN is requested. We give you the expected timeline for your chosen state in your quote.
Related services
After your LLC is formed
Form 5472 filing
The annual filing for foreign-owned single-member LLCs.
Learn more →Bookkeeping services
Clean books from your first transaction.
Learn more →E-commerce bookkeeping
For LLCs selling on Amazon, Shopify and more.
Learn more →Free consultation
Get your books and taxes in shape
Tell us about your business. We'll reply within one business day with next steps and a custom quote.
Email info@shapeaccounting.com
Hours Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm