Worldwide
Setting up a company in the USA
A Delaware C-Corp for investors, an LLC for operations. State choice and the EIN decide everything.
At a glance
Federal corporate tax
21%, state tax separate
Common states
Delaware, Wyoming, Nevada
Formation
1 to 5 days; EIN 2 to 6 weeks
Foreign founder
No residency requirement; S-Corp excepted
The US is the largest market in the world and the home of venture capital. A foreign founder has two common paths: a Delaware C-Corporation if you will raise investment, a Wyoming or Delaware LLC for operations or selling services. Federal corporate tax is 21 percent; state taxes come on top. Formation takes days, the EIN weeks, and the bank account is the hardest step for foreign founders.
The most frequent mistake Turkish founders make is forming the US company without designing its relationship to the Turkish one. The flip structure, IP transfer and transfer pricing must be settled before investors arrive. We have a separate guide on this.
Why here
When this jurisdiction is the right choice.
- The standard structure for access to venture capital and US customers.
- Delaware corporate law and courts: the language investors read.
- No founder residency required; remote formation.
- Direct access to Stripe, the App Store and US payment infrastructure.
Entity types
Which structure, for whom.
LLC
Flexible, can elect pass-through or corporate taxation; for operating and service companies.
C-Corporation
The form for ventures raising investment; share classes, option pool, double taxation.
S-Corporation
US residents only; not available to foreign founders.
Non-profit
Association structure that can obtain tax exemption; no profit distribution.
Process
Formation step by step.
- 01State and entity choice (Delaware C-Corp or LLC)
- 02Registered agent appointment (mandatory)
- 03Name check and filing the formation document with the state
- 04Bylaws / operating agreement and share allocation
- 05EIN from the IRS (by fax or mail for foreign founders)
- 06Bank account: digital banks or a traditional bank with a visit
- 07State tax and sales tax registrations
- 08Beneficial ownership (BOI) reporting status check
After formation
What has to happen every year.
- Delaware franchise tax and annual report
- Federal return (1120 / 1065 / 5472 for foreign-owned LLCs)
- State income and sales tax returns
- Payroll taxes and workers' insurance if there are employees
Frequently asked
The in-country registry, licence and agent steps of the formation file run through our licensed formation partners in the relevant jurisdiction. Structure design, contracts, the bank file and the tax and notification effect on the Turkish side are managed by Defensible. Rates and thresholds summarise the headline rules at the time of writing; we check the current text together on your own file.
Does a single-member foreign-owned LLC pay US tax?
If it has no US physical presence and no US-sourced trade income, federal income tax often does not arise; but Forms 5472 and 1120 informational filings are mandatory with heavy penalties. In Türkiye the income is taxed.
Delaware or Wyoming?
Delaware if you will raise investment, because investors ask for it. Wyoming if you only need operations at low cost; lower annual fees, stronger privacy.
Let's work out which structure fits you in 15 minutes.
Tell us where you sell, who you are and what you are aiming at; we will say in the call which jurisdiction and entity type make sense. Formation itself is a separate engagement, scoped and priced there.
Book a 15-minute call