How to Register a Company in the United States？

Determine Company Type and Registration State

1. Choose Company Type

Limited Liability Company (LLC):

Suitable for: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and cross-border e-commerce businesses.

Advantages: Shareholders have limited liability, and profits are directly taxed at the individual level (pass-through taxation).

C-Corporation:

Suitable for: Companies planning to raise funds or go public.

Advantages: Independent legal entity status, subject to corporate income tax, and shareholders are taxed on dividends (double taxation), but it can attract venture capital.

S-Corporation:

Suitable for: Only available to U.S. citizens or green card holders, with a maximum of 100 shareholders.

Advantages: Avoids double taxation but has more restrictions.

2. Choose Registration State

Delaware:

Advantages: Most developed business laws, suitable for large enterprises.

Disadvantages: Higher annual review fees (approximately $300).

Wyoming:

Advantages: Zero state income tax, lowest annual review fee ($60), suitable for cross-border e-commerce.

Texas:

Advantages: No state income tax, high acceptance of virtual addresses, annual review fee of approximately $150.

Prepare Core Materials

1.Basic Information

Company Name:

Must include a suffix such as LLC/Inc. and be verified for uniqueness through the state government's official website.

Registered Address:

Can rent a virtual office for approximately $50/year.

Shareholder/Director Information:

At least one person, no nationality restrictions, passport scans required.

2. Legal Documents

Articles of Incorporation/Organization:

Includes company name, address, share structure, etc., and must be notarized before submission to the Secretary of State.

Bylaws/Operating Agreement:

Internal management rules, not required to be submitted but must be retained.

Registered Agent Authorization:

Must appoint a registered agent in the state to receive legal documents (agent service fee approximately $100/year).

Registration Process (Example for LLC)

1. Submit Application

Online Application:

Fill out the application form through the state government's official website (e.g., Delaware's I-File system) or entrust a registration agent to handle it.

Payment of Registration Fee:

Wyoming: 100,California:70, New York: $200.

2. Obtain License

Approval Time:

1-3 business days for ordinary states, 2 weeks for complex states (e.g., California).

Receive Certificate of Formation:

Issued by the Secretary of State.

3. Tax Registration

Apply for Federal Tax ID (EIN):

Free online application through the IRS website, approved within 10 minutes.

State Tax Registration:

Sales tax (if applicable), employer tax (required when hiring employees).

4. Open Bank Account

Required Documents:

EIN, Certificate of Formation, shareholder passport.

Recommended Bank:

East West Bank for remote account opening.

Post-Registration Compliance Management

1.Annual Report

Delaware LLC:

No annual report required.

C-Corporation:

Annual report required (fee: $50).

Wyoming:

Annual review fee of $60, due on the anniversary of the company's formation.

2. Tax Filing

LLC:

Filed through Schedule C on the individual tax return (Form 1040).

C-Corporation:

Submit Form 1120, tax rate of 21%.

3.  Business License

Some industries (e.g., catering, medical) require additional licenses, with fees ranging from 50to400.