For most non-US founders, the realistic cost to start a US company in 2026 is about $700–$1,500 for a lean first year, $2,000–$5,000 for a standard operating setup, or $6,000–$15,000+ for a venture-ready Delaware C corporation. The filing itself is rarely the largest expense. Bookkeeping, tax compliance, registered-agent renewals, and professional support create most of the recurring cost.
Your exact budget depends on the entity and state, transaction volume, whether you have US-source activity, and whether investors require a Delaware C corporation. Banking and Stripe often have no setup fee, but payment processing, foreign-exchange spreads, wires, and compliance work still affect the total.
The figures below are planning ranges, not quotes. State charges and provider pricing can change, while tax obligations depend on your ownership, activity, and tax residency.
First-year cost breakdown
| Cost category | Lean | Standard | Venture-ready |
|---|---|---|---|
| State formation filing | $50–$150 | $90–$300 | $89–$500+ |
| Formation service or legal help | $0–$300 | $300–$1,500 | $2,000–$7,000+ |
| Registered agent | $50–$150 | $100–$300 | $100–$400 |
| EIN assistance | $0–$300 | $100–$500 | $0–$500 |
| Bookkeeping | $0–$1,200 | $1,200–$3,600 | $3,000–$10,000+ |
| Federal and state tax filing | $400–$1,500 | $1,000–$3,500 | $2,500–$8,000+ |
| Banking, payments, and extras | $0–$500 | $300–$1,500 | $1,000–$5,000+ |
These categories overlap. For example, some formation packages include the first registered-agent year or EIN support. Compare the total renewal price rather than only the introductory fee.
Formation, entity choice, and state fees
LLC formation costs
The direct state filing fee for an LLC commonly falls between roughly $50 and $300, although the amount and processing options vary by state. A do-it-yourself filing can keep the initial LLC cost for a non-resident low, but you must still prepare an operating agreement, obtain an EIN, maintain a registered agent, and handle tax compliance.
Wyoming is often considered for a small, bootstrapped online business because its state maintenance costs are generally lower than Delaware's. Delaware may still make sense when investors, counsel, or commercial counterparties prefer its established corporate framework.
Delaware C corporation costs
A Delaware C corporation is the usual choice for a startup planning to issue stock options or raise institutional venture capital. In addition to incorporation, budget for bylaws, board approvals, founder stock documents, intellectual-property assignments, and potentially an 83(b) election where relevant.
Delaware corporations pay an annual franchise tax and file an annual report. The minimum franchise tax can be $175 under the Authorized Shares Method or $400 under the Assumed Par Value Capital Method, plus the annual report fee. The calculation can become much higher if the capitalization is structured or reported incorrectly.
For a Delaware LLC, the principal recurring state charge is a $300 annual tax, generally due by June 1. These Delaware annual fees are separate from registered-agent and tax-preparation costs.
Registered agent and EIN costs
Registered agent
Every LLC or corporation needs a registered agent with a physical address in its formation state. Expect approximately $50–$300 per year. Premium providers may add document scanning, compliance reminders, mail handling, or a business-address service.
A registered-agent address is not automatically a complete business mailing address. Confirm whether the provider accepts ordinary bank correspondence, replacement cards, or IRS mail before relying on it.
Employer Identification Number
The IRS does not charge for an EIN. Non-residents may nevertheless pay $100–$500 for help because they often cannot use the IRS online application without the required US taxpayer identification details.
Allow several weeks when applying through non-online channels, and avoid treating any advertised turnaround as guaranteed. You normally need the EIN before fully activating banking, payroll, or payment-processing workflows.
Bookkeeping and tax filing: the largest hidden cost
A simple business with one bank account and a small number of monthly transactions may spend $0–$100 per month using QuickBooks Online, Xero, Wave, or spreadsheets with periodic professional review. A growing company commonly pays $150–$500 per month; payroll, inventory, multiple currencies, and investor reporting increase the price.
Tax preparation is not optional simply because you live outside the United States or made no profit. A foreign-owned single-member US LLC may have federal information-reporting obligations, commonly including Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 when reportable transactions exist. Missing required information returns can trigger substantial penalties.
A partnership may need Form 1065 and owner statements. A C corporation generally files Form 1120 and may also have state returns. Budget $400–$1,500 for a straightforward foreign-owned LLC filing and $1,500–$5,000+ for a corporation or more complex structure. Cross-border activity can require additional advice in both the US and your home country.
Formation is a one-time transaction. Compliance is an annual operating system.
Banking and Stripe costs
Business banking
Fintech platforms such as Mercury and Relay may offer business accounts without a monthly subscription on eligible plans, but approval is never automatic. Providers review your owners, business model, countries of operation, website, and expected transactions.
Plan for possible wire fees, intermediary-bank charges, card delivery, and foreign-exchange costs. Traditional banks may require a US visit or minimum balance. Keep a backup route for receiving and paying funds rather than depending on one provider.
Stripe and payment processing
Opening a Stripe account usually does not create a large formation expense, but each payment carries processing fees. International cards, currency conversion, disputes, refunds, and optional products can cost more than the base domestic rate.
A US entity and EIN do not guarantee approval. Stripe assesses the product, website, fulfillment model, ownership, and risk profile. Your website should clearly show pricing, contact details, terms, privacy information, and refund or cancellation policies before you apply.
Choose a realistic budget
Lean: $700–$1,500 in year one
Suitable for a low-volume, bootstrapped founder who can maintain records personally. This assumes basic formation, a low-cost registered agent, limited paid EIN support, simple bookkeeping, and one professional tax filing.
Standard: $2,000–$5,000 in year one
Appropriate when you want professional setup, monthly bookkeeping, tax support, a proper mailing workflow, and cleaner banking and Stripe documentation. Recurring costs are often $1,500–$4,000 per year before payment-processing fees.
Venture-ready: $6,000–$15,000+ in year one
Use this range for a Delaware C corporation with legal documents, founder equity, option planning, cap-table software, accrual bookkeeping, tax filings, and investor due diligence. Recurring costs can exceed $5,000 annually, especially after payroll, fundraising, or multi-state activity begins.
Checklist: avoid unnecessary fees
- Choose the entity for your next 24 months. Do not form a Delaware C corporation only because it sounds prestigious; do not choose an LLC if near-term institutional funding is likely.
- Request the full renewal schedule. Check registered-agent, virtual-address, compliance, mail-scanning, and cancellation fees.
- Get the EIN directly when practical. The government fee is $0; pay only when assistance saves meaningful time or prevents errors.
- Separate business and personal funds immediately. This reduces bookkeeping cleanup and supports better records.
- Reconcile accounts monthly. Waiting until tax season can turn a modest filing into an expensive reconstruction project.
- Confirm tax scope in writing. Ask whether the quote includes federal forms, state returns, extensions, owner forms, and foreign-owner reporting.
- Skip bundles you do not need. Logos, websites, reseller certificates, and generic compliance packages are not prerequisites for every business.
- Budget for your home country. US formation does not remove personal or corporate reporting obligations elsewhere.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to start a US company as a non-resident?
Use a suitable low-cost state, file directly, choose a basic registered agent, keep clean books, and pay a cross-border professional for the filings you cannot safely handle. A realistic floor is usually around $700–$1,500 for the first year, not just the state filing fee.
Does a US LLC owe tax if the owner lives abroad?
Possibly. The result depends on where work is performed, US trade or business activity, income type, treaty rules, and your home-country treatment. Even when no US income tax is due, information returns may still be required.
Is Delaware always the best state?
No. Delaware is often appropriate for venture-backed corporations, but a bootstrapped founder may prefer a state with lower recurring costs. If you operate physically in another state, you may also need to register there, creating two sets of fees.
Can I open Mercury and Stripe without visiting the US?
Remote onboarding may be available, but approval depends on current eligibility, supported countries, documentation, and risk review. Formation documents and an EIN are necessary foundations, not guarantees.
When Founder Portal can help
Founder Portal can help you choose a practical setup, coordinate formation and EIN steps, prepare for banking and Stripe, and build a clear compliance workflow without paying for unnecessary extras.