Setting up an LLC in the United States — the key decision is choosing the state

Yes. You can form a US company from Türkiye; there are no citizenship, residency or visa requirements. Foreign nationals can form an LLC or C-Corp in the US and be its sole owner. However, filing and tax obligations in both Türkiye and the US must be considered together.

The process consists of an initial consultation, choosing the state and company type, filing the formation documents, applying for an EIN, submitting the FinCEN BOI report and completing the banking steps. Formation filing takes 2–5 business days; including the EIN and banking stages, the overall process takes 2–4 weeks on average.

An LLC is more flexible: it is straightforward to manage, has lighter annual obligations and can be formed by one person. A C-Corp, however, is designed for share structures, option pools and venture capital investment; investors generally prefer a Delaware C-Corp. If you are not planning an investment round, an LLC is sufficient in most cases.

You do not need to travel to the US to form a company or apply for an EIN; the entire process can be completed remotely. Some traditional banks require an in-branch meeting to open an account, but financial institutions and fintech alternatives that offer remote account opening often remove this need.

A registered agent is a person or organisation with a physical address in the state that accepts official notices on the company's behalf. It is mandatory in every state and must be renewed annually. This service is included in all our packages.

An operating agreement governs the internal operation of an LLC: it sets out the members' ownership interests, profit distribution, decision-making and exit rules. It is recommended even for single-member companies and is frequently requested by banks and payment providers.

Delaware stands out for startups and SaaS businesses because of its investor-friendly corporate law and established case law. Florida is suitable for e-commerce and locally based operations due to its broad business ecosystem and practical access to banking. Wyoming is preferred by remote entrepreneurs for its low annual fees and focus on privacy, while New Mexico is suitable for long-term use because of owner information privacy and its affordable annual cost profile.

Delaware is widely recommended because it is the standard jurisdiction for companies seeking investment. However, for small teams not planning an investment round, Delaware's franchise tax and annual obligations can be an unnecessary expense. If you do not expect to seek investment, a lower-cost state can serve the same purpose.

Wyoming and New Mexico stand out because owner information does not appear in the public register. This privacy applies at the state-register level; beneficial ownership information submitted to FinCEN and banks' compliance reviews are handled independently. In other words, privacy does not mean complete anonymity.

It is possible to move a company to another state, but it is costly and cumbersome: this may involve a new formation, EIN continuity, and updates to the bank account and contracts. Choosing the right state from the outset is therefore significantly more economical than moving later.

If your company conducts business in a state other than the one in which it was formed, foreign qualification may be required in that state. This generally does not apply to companies operating entirely remotely and digitally, but it should be assessed if there is a physical office, warehouse or employee.

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a business tax identification number issued by the IRS. It is required to open a bank account, apply for Stripe and PayPal, employ staff and file tax returns. The application is submitted after company formation and the number is typically issued within 5–10 business days.

An EIN is issued to a company, while an ITIN is issued to an individual. An ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) enables individuals without a US Social Security number to meet their tax obligations. It is requested for some bank and payment provider applications, as well as in situations requiring a personal tax return. It is included in our Standard and Advanced packages.

A BOI (Beneficial Ownership Information) report discloses to FinCEN the individuals who control the company or hold a specified ownership interest. Companies within scope must submit it within the statutory deadline, and failure to do so may result in administrative penalties. As the scope and deadlines are subject to regulatory changes, we confirm the current position at the time of application. This report is included in all our packages.

Yes. Foreign owners without a US Social Security number can obtain an EIN for their company. The process may take longer than applications from SSN holders and requires the correct form; we handle the application and follow-up.

Some traditional banks require owners living abroad to attend an in-branch meeting or be resident in the US. However, financial institutions and fintech alternatives offering remote account opening are available; most companies formed from Türkiye use this route. The account-opening process begins once the EIN has been obtained.

Yes, and this is one of the greatest advantages of a US company. Stripe, PayPal and Payoneer directly support US companies, with high acceptance rates. Each provider carries out its own compliance review; consistency between your website, product description and refund policy determines whether the application is accepted. These applications are included in our Advanced package.

You can transfer funds to your foreign-currency account in Türkiye through a bank or payment institution. The critical issue here is tax-related rather than technical: whether the payment from the company to you is salary, a profit distribution or a loan should be defined from the outset, and your filing obligations in Türkiye should be planned accordingly.

The rejection is recorded and makes a second application to the same institution more difficult. We therefore prepare your business activity description, website, proof of customers and expected transaction volume file before applying, and select an institution based on your profile; if the application is rejected, we direct you to an alternative institution.

By default, an LLC is a pass-through entity: profits are taxed at owner level rather than company level. If a single-member LLC has no US-source income and does not conduct a trade or business in the US, no federal income tax may arise; however, this assessment depends on the nature of the activity and does not remove filing obligations.

Yes. Foreign-owned LLCs must submit certain information returns, and failure to file them can result in substantial administrative penalties. Companies that are formed and then forgotten may therefore accumulate unexpected liabilities; a filing calendar should be established at the time of formation.

It is an annual tax charged by some states in return for the company being registered there; it is not based on profit. In certain states, particularly Delaware, it is an annual fixed expense. When choosing a state, you should consider not only the formation fee but also the annual report fee and franchise tax.

The main obligations are the annual report filing and fee, depending on the state, renewal of the registered agent, franchise tax where applicable, and filings with the IRS. Additional filings may apply depending on the company type and activities. We establish this calendar at the time of formation and send reminders before each deadline.

Sales tax is applied at state level and is relevant to companies selling physical products. Sellers exceeding the sales volume or transaction count threshold in certain states are required to register and collect sales tax. The rules for digital products and services vary by state; this should be planned from the outset for an e-commerce model.

When an individual who is fully tax-resident in Türkiye receives a profit distribution from a foreign company, they are required to declare it in Türkiye. Controlled foreign company rules may also cause the profits to be taxed in Türkiye under certain conditions. This assessment should be completed before the structure is established; correcting it afterwards is always more expensive.

The company owner can live in Türkiye and manage its operations remotely. However, if the company's place of effective management is in Türkiye, and its team and decisions are based in Türkiye, there is a risk that the company may also be treated as tax-resident in Türkiye. The structure should be designed with this risk in mind.

Partly. Companies selling services and software abroad may qualify for Türkiye's service export exemption and technopark incentives; for some teams, a US company is unnecessary. The areas where the US is indispensable are collecting payments in dollars, access to Stripe and perceptions among US customers. The right approach is to compare the two scenarios side by side.

Dissolution is relatively quick for companies with no activity or debt. Before closing, however, final returns must be filed, EIN-related closure notifications submitted, state obligations completed and the bank account emptied. Companies with outstanding filings may incur penalties even after they have been closed.