Global Business
USA Company Registration Guide for Indian Businesses
LLC or C-Corp? Delaware or Wyoming? Here's how Indian founders register a US company, get an EIN, and handle the foreign-owned filing duties most people miss.
On this page
A US company opens up US clients, payments and investors — but the LLC-vs-C-Corp and state choices, plus foreign-owned filing duties, trip up a lot of Indian founders. Here's the guide.
Quick answer
Registering a US company means picking an entity (LLC or C-Corporation) and a state (Delaware, Wyoming, or where you operate). You don't need to be a US resident. You'll need a registered agent and an EIN from the IRS, and foreign-owned entities have real federal filing duties (e.g. Form 5472/1120). Banking is possible but never guaranteed.
LLC vs C-Corporation
- LLC — flexible, pass-through taxation, lower compliance. Ideal for agencies, freelancers, SMBs and billing US clients.
- C-Corporation — the standard for startups raising venture capital; what US accelerators (YC) and investors expect. Usually incorporated in Delaware.
Pick the wrong one and a future raise gets messy — so decide with your funding plans in mind.
Which state?
- Delaware — default for C-Corps and fundraising (investor-familiar, strong corporate law)
- Wyoming — popular for LLCs: low cost, privacy, no state income tax
- Your operating state — if you have real physical presence there
The EIN and registered agent
- Registered agent — a required in-state agent for legal/state mail
- EIN — your federal tax ID from the IRS, needed for banking, taxes and Stripe
Foreign-owned filing duties (don't miss these)
A single-member foreign-owned LLC generally must file Form 5472 with a pro-forma 1120 each year — with steep penalties for missing it. C-Corps have their own returns. This is the part DIY founders most often overlook.
Banking reality
Non-resident banking works through certain banks and fintechs, but it's the bank's KYC decision — never guaranteed. We prepare you and support it.
FEMA / ODI for Indian founders
Investing from India into a US entity must follow FEMA's ODI/LRS rules. We flag and coordinate specialists.
Common mistakes
- LLC when investors need a C-Corp (or vice versa)
- Ignoring Form 5472/1120 foreign-owned filings
- Assuming a US entity means no US tax/compliance
- Underestimating non-resident banking
Choose entity and state around your real plans, keep the federal filings, and a US company is a powerful base.
Ready to act?
Form your US company
We handle formation, registered agent and EIN, set up your documents and support banking — so you can bill US clients and raise from US investors.
Frequently asked questions
Should I form an LLC or a C-Corporation?
An LLC is flexible with pass-through tax — good for agencies, freelancers and SMBs. A C-Corporation (usually Delaware) is the standard for startups raising venture capital. Decide with your funding plans in mind.
Which US state should I choose?
Delaware for C-Corps and fundraising; Wyoming for LLCs (low cost, privacy, no state income tax); or your operating state if you have real presence there.
Do I need to be a US resident?
No — non-residents can form US companies. You'll need a registered agent and an EIN, and you'll have US filing obligations.
What is an EIN?
An Employer Identification Number from the IRS — your federal tax ID, needed for banking, taxes, payroll and Stripe. We apply for it.
What is Form 5472/1120?
Federal filings that certain foreign-owned US entities (like a single-member foreign-owned LLC) must make annually, with steep penalties for missing them. We flag and coordinate these.
Can you guarantee a US bank account?
No. Non-resident banking is the bank's own KYC decision and is never guaranteed. We prepare you and support the process.
What about FEMA/ODI for investing from India?
An Indian resident investing in a US company must comply with FEMA's ODI/LRS rules. We flag these and coordinate specialists rather than advise standalone.
Related MFA services
If you want this handled rather than done yourself, these are the matching services.
Written by
MyFinancialAdvisory Editorial
Editorial guidance prepared for business owners and reviewed before production publication.
Reviewed by MyFinancialAdvisory Global Desk
Written against official sources, with the governing rule named wherever a figure or deadline is given. General guidance — not advice on your specific case.
Ready to act?
Form your US company
We handle formation, registered agent and EIN, set up your documents and support banking — so you can bill US clients and raise from US investors.
Related guides
Global Business
UAE vs USA vs Singapore vs UK: Where Should You Incorporate?
Four popular jurisdictions, four very different trade-offs. Here's an honest comparison of the UAE, USA, Singapore and UK to help Indian founders decide where to incorporate.
Read guide
Global Business
Documents Required for International Company Registration
Incorporating abroad stalls most often on documents. Here's the common KYC set and the jurisdiction-specific extras for the UAE, USA, Singapore and UK.
Read guide
Global Business
Foreign Company Compliance Basics for Indian Founders
Incorporating abroad is the easy part — keeping the entity compliant is the ongoing one. Here's what annual compliance looks like across the UAE, USA, Singapore and UK.
Read guide