For founders outside the US
Form a Wyoming LLC as a Non-Resident
Wyoming is the state most international founders choose, and for good reason. It combines no state income tax, no public record of who owns the company, and the lightest ongoing compliance burden of any popular formation state. If you are running an online business from outside the US and have no particular reason to pick elsewhere, this is the default answer.
Why non-residents choose Wyoming
- No state income tax on the business or on you personally
- Members and managers are not named in public filings
- The lightest annual filing requirement of any popular formation state
- Strong charging order protection, which limits what a creditor can reach
- The first state to create the LLC, so the case law is well settled
What a Wyoming LLC costs
One price in every state. All state and government fees are included, so choosing Wyoming over anywhere else does not change what you pay.
| What you get | Price | Billing |
|---|---|---|
| Formation Wyoming filing, business tax number, registered agent, and operating agreement, with all state and government fees included | $399 | One-time |
| Managed LLC Ongoing compliance handled for you, including registered agent, annual filings, bookkeeping, and federal tax filing | $149 | Per month |
| A la carte compliance Pick individual services instead of the full plan | From $99 | Per year |
Processing takes about 3-5 business days once your filing reaches the state.
Tax and filing obligations
Wyoming state tax
Wyoming levies no state income tax, so a non-resident owner with no Wyoming presence generally has no state filing obligation. Your federal position is separate and depends on whether your income is effectively connected to a US trade or business.
Federal filings you cannot skip
Owing no tax and having nothing to file are not the same thing. A foreign-owned single-member LLC generally must file Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 every year, even with no revenue. The penalty for missing it is $25,000 per form, per year.
You will also need a business tax number, which you can obtain without a Social Security Number using Form SS-4. Keep the CP 575 confirmation notice the IRS sends afterwards, because it is issued only once and a replacement means requesting a 147C letter instead.
Privacy
Wyoming does not require members or managers to be listed on the certificate of organization or the annual report. Your registered agent appears on the public record instead of you.
Ongoing upkeep
One annual report and a registered agent, with nothing due in your first year. There is no publication requirement.
What to watch out for in Wyoming
A Wyoming LLC does not make you tax-free. It changes nothing about what you owe in the country where you actually live, and that is usually the larger of the two obligations. Choose Wyoming for the legal and privacy characteristics, not as a way to escape tax at home.
Is Wyoming right for you?
Best for: Online businesses, consultants, SaaS, freelancers, and holding companies with no US physical presence.
Compare other states
Arizona LLC for non-residents
Founders who want low maintenance and do not need their ownership kept off the public record.
Delaware LLC for non-residents
Founders planning to raise US venture capital, join a US accelerator, or issue equity to US investors.
Florida LLC for non-residents
E-commerce sellers, Amazon FBA, real estate holdings, and founders in Latin America who value local banking familiarity.
New Mexico LLC for non-residents
Founders who want minimum maintenance and maximum privacy, holding companies, and long-lived entities that trade lightly.
Guides for international founders
Frequently asked questions
Why do most non-residents choose Wyoming?
It has no state income tax, does not name members in public filings, and carries the lightest annual upkeep of any popular formation state. For an online business with no US physical presence, there is rarely a reason to choose elsewhere.
Is my name public on a Wyoming LLC?
No. Wyoming does not require members or managers to be listed on the certificate of organization or the annual report. Your registered agent appears on the public record instead.
When is the first Wyoming annual report due?
Not in your first year. The first report falls due on the first day of your anniversary month in the following year. On the Managed LLC plan we prepare and file it for you, so the date is not yours to track.
Can a non-US resident form a US LLC?
Yes. There is no citizenship or residency requirement to own a US LLC. You do not need a green card, a visa, or to have ever visited the United States. Founders from more than 150 countries own US LLCs, and the formation process is identical to the one a US citizen follows.
Do I need a Social Security Number?
No. You do not need an SSN to form an LLC or to obtain a business tax number for it. The IRS online business tax number tool requires an SSN or ITIN, which is why most non-residents apply using Form SS-4 by fax or phone instead, writing "Foreign" in the field where a Social Security Number would go.
Do I need a US address?
You need a registered agent with a physical address in the state of formation, which is a service rather than something you provide. Your own mailing address on the paperwork can be your home address in any country.
Will I owe US federal tax on my LLC?
It depends on whether your income is effectively connected to a US trade or business. Many non-resident owners of single-member LLCs with no US employees, offices, or dependent agents have no US federal income tax liability. That is a question for a tax adviser about your specific facts, and it is separate from your filing obligations, which exist either way.
What do I have to file even if I owe no tax?
A foreign-owned single-member LLC generally must file Form 5472 together with a pro forma Form 1120 each year, even with zero revenue and zero tax due. The penalty for missing it is $25,000 per form per year, which makes it the most expensive filing mistake in this category.
Can I open a US business bank account from abroad?
Yes. Several US banking providers open accounts for non-resident owned LLCs remotely, without requiring a US visit. You will need the formation documents, your business tax number, and identification. Approval is at the provider's discretion and depends on your country and business type.
Does forming a US LLC reduce the tax I pay at home?
Generally no, and this is the most common misunderstanding. A US LLC does not change your tax position in your country of residence. Most countries tax residents on worldwide income, so your local obligations continue regardless of where the company is registered. Treat any US tax outcome as separate from, not a replacement for, what you owe at home.
How long does formation take?
State approval typically takes three to seven business days depending on the state. The business tax number is the slower step for non-residents, since the fastest routes are fax or a phone call to the IRS rather than the online tool.
Start your Wyoming LLC today
All-inclusive formation with business tax number, registered agent, and operating agreement. No SSN or US address required.