US LLC for digital nomads: invoice, bank and get paid
Plenty of freelancers and remote business owners run their work through a US LLC even though they never set foot in the United States. It gives you a clean US business entity, access to US banking and payment tools like Stripe, and professional invoicing for foreign clients. Here is what a US LLC does for a nomad, what it means for tax, and how to set one up from abroad.
Why nomads use a US LLC
US business banking and Stripe
A US LLC unlocks a US business bank account (Mercury, Wise) and payment tools like Stripe and PayPal that are hard to get as an individual abroad.
A professional entity for foreign clients
Invoicing through a registered US company looks more credible to clients than billing as an individual, and many larger clients prefer to contract with a company.
Limited liability and a clean split
An LLC separates your business from your personal finances, which keeps bookkeeping and contracts tidy.
Simple, low-cost, and remote
A single-member LLC is quick and cheap to form, needs no US visa or residency, and can be run entirely from your laptop anywhere in the world.
What about US tax?
This is the part people get wrong, so here is the honest version. A single-member US LLC owned by a non-resident is usually a "disregarded entity," meaning the LLC doesn't pay tax itself and the profit flows to you. If you have no US-source income and aren't "engaged in a trade or business in the US" (no US office, employees or dependent agents), the LLC generally owes no US federal income tax. The common nomad case, serving foreign clients remotely, fits that.
Two things you can't skip. First, you still have to file each year: Form 5472 plus a pro-forma Form 1120. Missing it carries a $25,000 penalty, so this is the part to get right. Second, you still pay tax where you are a tax resident. A US LLC changes the structure you bill through, not whether you owe tax at home, which our tax-free visas guide covers in more detail. Because the answer depends on your nationality and where you live, use a cross-border accountant rather than treating this page as advice.
Where to set one up: doola vs Firstbase
Both services form a US LLC for non-residents and handle the parts that are hard from abroad: the EIN, registered agent, US address, help opening a bank account, and the annual 5472 and 1120 filings.
| doola | Firstbase | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | All-in-one: formation, bookkeeping and tax | Fast, clean formation |
| Core formation | LLC, EIN, registered agent | LLC, EIN, registered agent |
| US address & mail | Included | Included |
| Ongoing tax (5472/1120) | Bundled in higher tiers | Available as an add-on |
Pricing changes often; see the full doola vs Firstbase breakdown for current packages.
doola
All-in-oneBest for: Formation plus bookkeeping and tax filing in one place
Forms your US LLC, gets the EIN and a US business bank account, and bundles ongoing bookkeeping and the annual compliance filings, so the parts that are hard from abroad are handled for you.
- LLC formation, EIN and registered agent
- Helps open US business banking
- Handles the annual 5472 and 1120 filings
Firstbase
Fast formationBest for: A clean, well-known formation with add-on compliance
A widely used formation service that sets up your US LLC, EIN, registered agent and US address, with add-ons for banking, mail and ongoing tax and compliance support.
- LLC formation, EIN and registered agent
- US address and mail handling
- Compliance and tax add-ons
These are partner links: if you form through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services we'd recommend to a friend. Compare each provider's current pricing and what compliance is included before you sign up.
The full US LLC playbook
Go deeper on any part of forming and running a US LLC from abroad:
Is a US LLC right for you?
It tends to make sense if you freelance or run an agency or online business for foreign clients, want US banking and Stripe, and want a clean entity to contract through. It is usually overkill if you are a salaried employee, since your employer runs payroll. One thing to check first: some countries have rules that pull a foreign company's profit back onto your personal tax return, so confirm how your tax-residence country treats a US LLC before forming one.
First, pick where to live
An LLC sorts out how you get paid; a nomad visa sorts out where you can legally live while you do it. See which visas you qualify for in seconds.
Run the free visa checker →US LLC for nomads FAQ
Do I need to live in the US to open a US LLC?
No. Non-residents can form and own a US LLC entirely remotely, with no US visa and no US address of their own. A formation service provides the registered agent and address you need.
Does a US LLC make my income tax-free?
No. A foreign-owned single-member LLC with no US-source income usually owes no US federal income tax, but you still pay tax where you are a tax resident, and you must file Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 every year.
Which is better, doola or Firstbase?
Both form and maintain a US LLC for non-residents. They differ on price and how much ongoing bookkeeping and compliance is included, so compare their current packages against what you need.
What state should my LLC be in?
Wyoming, Delaware and New Mexico are the common picks for non-resident nomads, for their low fees and privacy. A formation service will recommend a state based on your situation.
Is a US LLC worth it for a freelancer?
It can be, if you want US banking, Stripe access and a professional entity to invoice foreign clients through. If you are a salaried employee, your employer handles payroll and an LLC is usually unnecessary.
This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. US and home-country tax rules for foreign-owned LLCs are detailed and depend on your nationality, tax residence and clients. Confirm your own position with a qualified cross-border accountant before forming a company.