A complete, honest breakdown of every cost you'll face as an international founder forming a US entity — from formation to year-one operations.
| Cost Item | One-Time | Annual | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| State filing fee | $50–$300 | — | Wyoming $100, Delaware $90, Texas $300 |
| Registered agent | — | $50–$150 | Required in all states. Northwest ($29/yr promo) |
| EIN (Federal Tax ID) | Free | — | IRS Form SS-4; takes 1–4 weeks by fax for non-residents |
| ITIN (if needed) | Free | — | Required if you'll file US personal taxes (Form W-7) |
| Operating Agreement | $0–$500 | — | DIY template or attorney-drafted |
| Business bank account | $0 | $0–$120 | Mercury free. Brex/Relay ~$10/mo |
| Annual state report | — | $0–$800 | Wyoming $60, Delaware $50+, California $800 min |
| US accountant / CPA | — | $500–$3,000 | Highly recommended for cross-border tax compliance |
| Federal tax filing | — | $0–$500 | 1065/5472 required for foreign-owned single-member LLCs |
| Total Year 1 (Budget Path) | $150–$400 | $600–$2,000 | Wyoming LLC, Mercury bank, DIY agreement |
| Total Year 1 (Full Service) | $500–$1,500 | $2,000–$5,000 | Delaware C-Corp, attorney, dedicated CPA |
If you own a US single-member LLC as a non-US person, the IRS requires you to file Form 5472 annually. Missing this filing carries a $25,000 penalty. Make sure your CPA knows about this requirement.