A founder’s field guide · Updated September 2026

The filing is easy. The company is what you live with.

A US entity can be the right move for a global founder. It can also leave you with annual filings, extra costs, and a bank application that still says no. Let’s make the decision before we sell you the paperwork.

Form your US company ↗ Explore plans & pricing ↗

Some product links are affiliate links. Our recommendations are not a guarantee of eligibility, approval, or tax outcome.

01 / Before the paperwork

Who is a US company actually for?

It may make sense if…

US customers, vendors, or platforms have a specific entity requirement.
You need a structure compatible with the investors you are actively pursuing.
You have a clear operating plan and a budget for ongoing filings and professional advice.

Pause if your only reason is…

“I need Stripe.” Stripe already supports many non-US countries, including Malta.
“I need an American bank account.” Formation does not guarantee one.
“A US LLC means zero tax.” Your US and home-country obligations depend on your facts.

Entity choice matters: an LLC and a Delaware C corporation are not interchangeable. An investor-backed startup and a solo ecommerce business may need very different structures. Check your home-country treatment before you form either.

References: Stripe availability · IRS Form 5472 instructions

02 / Formation

Two ways to begin. Neither should make the decision for you.

Doola is our featured formation partner. Firstbase remains a credible alternative, especially if its startup tooling fits how you plan to build. Compare the full recurring cost, not just the checkout price.

doola

Formation + continuing operations

Founder Arjun Mahadevan and co-founder JP Pincheira built doola after experiencing the friction of setting up and running a US company across borders. Doola joined Y Combinator’s Summer 2020 batch. On its current pricing page, doola says 22,000+ founders in 175+ countries have started with it; that is a company-reported figure, not an independently audited count of incorporated entities.

What makes it interesting is the ongoing back office: registered agent, address, books, tax and compliance services at different plan levels—not just the formation certificate.

Starter list price: $297/year + state fees. Formation, EIN assistance, registered agent, and virtual mailing address are included; annual state filings, IRS business tax filing, and managed bookkeeping are not. Promotions and renewals may differ.

Explore doola ↗

Firstbase

Formation + startup infrastructure

Founder Mark Milastsivy started Firstbase after running into the company-formation problem himself. His ambition was larger than incorporation: a place where founders could launch, manage and grow a US business. Firstbase Start handles formation in Delaware or Wyoming, while its wider product suite adds options for registered agent service, mail, accounting and tax filing.

That modular approach is the distinction. A founder can begin with the entity and choose the operational services they actually need, rather than assume everything is included in the formation price. It is particularly worth examining if you are building a startup and want the formation workflow connected to a broader company dashboard.

Check the full cost: Firstbase currently advertises a promotional Start price, but registered agent, mailroom and tax services can be separate charges. Compare the checkout and annual renewals—not just the opening offer.

Compare Firstbase ↗

References: Y Combinator company profile · founder story

03 / The price behind the price

Formation is not compliance.

Doola’s own Starter materials make the distinction clear. The advertised formation tier is not a full-year tax and bookkeeping service.

Plan	Standard list price	What to check
Starter	$297/year + state fees	Formation, EIN, agent and mailing address. No business IRS tax filing or annual state filing service.
Tax & Compliance	$1,999/year + state fees	Business tax filing and state report support; confirm exactly which filings apply to your entity.
Business-in-a-Box	$2,999/year + state fees	More ongoing bookkeeping support. Check the service scope and current billing options.

Doola’s public site currently displays promotional prices below these standard list prices. Its older partner PDF shows a different Total Compliance price. We use current public list pricing here, but check live checkout, state fees, first-year discounts and renewal terms before paying. Partner guidance says discounts apply to the first year only.

04 / The part the checkout cannot solve

A company can be cheap to open and expensive to ignore.

US filings

A foreign-owned, single-member US LLC may have Form 5472 obligations when reportable related-party transactions occur—including some owner contributions or distributions. Missing a required filing can trigger an initial $25,000 penalty.

Home-country tax

A US formation document does not decide where you personally or your business owe tax. Your residence, management, customers, and activities matter. Get cross-border advice before creating two sets of obligations.

Banking

Doola can help with the process, but does not open a bank account for you. Mercury reviews eligibility and verifies the actual business. A registered-agent address by itself is not an operating address.

References: IRS instructions and penalties · Mercury eligibility requirements

05 / After formation

Build the stack around the work, not the other way around.

These are separate choices. You might need one, several, or none of them.

Banking

Mercury ↗

US business banking platform for eligible companies. Apply directly; approval is not automatic. Mercury is a fintech company, not a bank.

Payables

Melio ↗

For paying suppliers and managing business bills. Useful only when you have a real US payables workflow.

People operations

Rippling ↗

HR, payroll and IT workflows as the company and team become more complex.

International teams

Deel ↗

Consider when hiring or contracting across borders; assess classification and local requirements.

US payroll

Gusto ↗

Designed for running US payroll when you actually have US employees.

Independent field notes

MaltaInsider Trials ↗

See the products we have put through a real trial. We link to the index rather than claim an unverified product-specific test.

06 / Straight answers

Questions worth asking before you buy.

Do I need a US LLC to use Stripe?

No. Stripe supports businesses in Malta and many other countries. A US entity should solve a real business, investor, banking, or marketplace need, not be created for Stripe access alone.

What does doola Starter actually include?

The standard Starter list price is $297 per year plus state fees. It includes formation, EIN assistance, a registered agent, and a virtual mailing address. Annual state filings, business tax filing, and managed bookkeeping are not included in Starter. Check doola for any current promotion and renewal terms.

Does doola open a bank account for me?

No. Doola provides guidance and documents; you complete the bank application yourself. Approval is the bank or fintech provider’s decision and depends on eligibility and verification.

What is the $25,000 Form 5472 penalty?

The IRS can impose an initial $25,000 penalty when a required Form 5472 is not filed correctly or on time. Whether a foreign-owned US LLC must file depends on its structure and reportable transactions, including certain owner contributions or distributions. Ask a qualified US tax professional to assess your facts.

Is Wyoming always better than Delaware?

No. Entity type and state depend on your investors, where you operate, taxes, administration, and future plans. Delaware C corporations are familiar to many venture investors; a Wyoming LLC can be simpler for some owner-operated businesses. Neither is a universal default.

Can a non-US founder open Mercury?

Mercury reviews applications individually. A US-formed company and certain US operations or plans may qualify, but a registered agent or virtual address alone is not enough to establish an operating business address. Review Mercury’s current eligibility requirements before forming an entity for banking purposes.

FreeMalta may earn a commission through marked product links, at no additional cost to you. This guide is general information, not legal, tax, or banking advice. Verify prices and eligibility with each provider and consult qualified professionals for your circumstances.