One-Stop Guide to Registering a US Company

In today’s era, the barriers to entrepreneurship are lower than you might imagine. Registering a US company is no exception. You don’t need to fly halfway around the world or wait in line in a foreign country. All you need is a computer and a desire to change the world, and you can own a US company within days. Stripe Atlas is a tool that enables global entrepreneurs to enter the US market “frictionlessly.”

Why Register a US Company?

We all live within various boundaries: national borders, industries, identities, and mental limitations. But some boundaries can be crossed at any time. Registering a US company is one such attempt at “self-transcendence.”

• Global Trust Endorsement: A US company is “hard currency” in the internet world. Stripe, PayPal, AWS, Google Cloud, OpenAI… these top tools and services all assume you have a US company. Without this ticket, you’ll always be standing outside the door.
• Compliance and Financing Convenience: The US corporate and tax systems are extremely mature. For global payments, financing, equity issuance, going public, or even immigration, registering a US company provides the smoothest path.
• Psychological Transition: Registering a company is not just a legal action, but a shift in identity. You’ll find yourself thinking from an “entrepreneur’s” perspective, and your behavior will become more standardized and boundary-conscious.

How to Choose Between US Company Types? LLC or C Corp?

US companies mainly have two structures: LLC (Limited Liability Company) and C Corporation.

• LLC: Suitable for small teams and freelancers. Simple structure, flexible taxation. Profits are directly attributed to personal tax returns, which is convenient. The downside is that financing and equity incentives are not as straightforward as with a C Corp.
• C Corp: Suitable for companies seeking financing, equity issuance, and substantial growth, global expansion, and IPOs. Can issue stocks to attract investors. US tech companies and unicorns are generally C Corps. The downside is double taxation (both corporate profits and dividends are taxed), and compliance and tax filing processes are more complex and slightly more expensive.

Initially, Stripe Atlas only offered C Corp registration, but now LLC options are available too. If you’re just creating a small, beautiful project and pursuing ultimate freedom and simplicity, an LLC is a good choice. But if you’re ambitious and want to grow big, secure financing for an IPO, or attract global talent, a C Corporation is your starting point. The world belongs to those who dare to imagine and take action.

Process of Registering a US Company

Stripe Atlas originally charged $500 for registration. Through [this link](https://stripe.com/atlas/stable), you can enjoy a 40$300.

The whole process is actually simpler than you might imagine, with three core steps:

1. Choose a State, Structure, and Check Name Availability

• Choose a state: Delaware is the first choice, with a mature legal environment and transparent fees.
• Choose a structure: LLC or C Corp, as discussed earlier. This tutorial uses LLC as an example.

• Check name availability: Your company name can’t duplicate existing companies or infringe on trademarks. Enter your company name, and the system will automatically check.

2. Company Information Registration

• Fill in company description and website address.

• Fill in founder information. Please note that the address here cannot be filled in casually! You need to provide corresponding proof documents, which will be used later for opening US company accounts and even Mercury bank accounts. Don’t try to fake it. Some people use virtual addresses or generator addresses to register, which may work in the short term but will definitely cause problems in the long run. Banks and tax authorities conduct very strict checks. It’s recommended to use a real, verifiable address from the beginning, even if it takes a bit more effort, it will save you tenfold trouble later. In the US, non-residents registering US businesses can use addresses in their home countries, but make sure to fill them in English.

  What kind of documents are compliant? They must be official documents issued by the government or banks: utility bills (within 6 months), credit card statements, property deeds.

  If you cannot provide compliant proof, it’s recommended not to rush into registration. Consider getting a Hong Kong card, preparing a bilingual bill, or changing to an address where you can obtain proof. Different banks and service providers may have slightly different requirements for supporting documents, so it’s advisable to confirm in advance.

• For the subsequent Ownership and Roles sections, simply check the founder information filled in earlier.
• Fill in Company Tax ID information, commonly known as the Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN), which is a unique tax number assigned to companies by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Both LLCs and C Corps need this.
• For the address, you can select “Use my home address.” For phone numbers, you can provide a US phone number or a phone number from your home country. If you currently don’t have a US address or phone number, you can use your home country’s address and phone number, which can be changed later.

If you are not a US resident and don’t have a US green card, please check “I do not have an SSN.”

Finally, confirm all information, and if there are no issues, you can sign.

After signing, proceed to payment.

After payment, you’ll receive an email from Stripe in a few days.

The email essentially states that your company registration documents are ready and just waiting for your signature. Click the link to sign online. Before signing, be sure to carefully check key information such as company name, shareholder structure, and registration address. After signing, Stripe will automatically submit the materials to Delaware regulatory authorities. You can track progress in the backend at any time.

3. Obtain an EIN (Employer Identification Number) and Open a Bank Account

After registering a company, you must apply for an EIN from the IRS, otherwise the company has no use.

• EIN: Equivalent to the company’s “ID card,” used for tax filing and opening bank accounts. You can apply yourself to the IRS (US Internal Revenue Service) or find a service provider to handle it.
• Bank Account: With company registration documents and an EIN, you can open a US bank account. Some banks support remote account opening, such as Mercury, Wise, and Relay.

Stripe Atlas is a one-stop service that handles the entire process and provides registered agents and legal templates.

Conclusion: The World Isn’t Actually That Complicated

Registering a US company is the first step for entrepreneurs going global. It teaches you to operate within rules and think with a global perspective. The world isn’t actually that complicated; the key is whether you’re willing to take this step.

As long as you’re willing, answers to everything else will naturally follow.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need to go to the US in person to register a US company?

   No, the entire process can be completed online.

2. What are the approximate registration costs?

   If using Stripe Atlas, the registration fee is $500, or$300 after discount. The annual fee is $100, and Delaware's franchise tax is around$420 per year.

3. Can I open a Stripe account immediately after registering a company?

   Yes, but you’ll still need to submit company documents, bank account details, legal identification, etc., and wait for Stripe’s approval.

4. What compliance requirements does a US company have annually?

   Annual reports, tax filings, and annual fees. It’s recommended to hire professional service providers or accountants to handle annual compliance work for US companies to avoid fines or license revocation due to oversights.