Canadian founders sell to the United States more than anyone, and a US entity removes most of the friction: contracting, payouts and platform access. A US LLC gives you a real US entity, a USD business account and Stripe access, all set up remotely without flying south.
Why Canadian entrepreneurs open a US LLC
- Get paid in USD from US clients, straight into a US business account.
- Unlock Stripe and PayPal with a real US entity, including the features reserved for US businesses.
- Project trust to American clients who prefer to contract with a US company.
How a US LLC is taxed
Anyone weighing a US LLC from Canada should look first at how the United States lets it be taxed. An LLC is a pass-through entity by default, so its profits land directly with its members and the company itself owes no corporate income tax. Electing corporate treatment stays possible. You choose the option that suits you.
In addition, when the company has no premises, no employees and no dependent agent in the United States, it is usually not treated as engaged in a US trade or business, so its profits face 0% US federal income tax. The annual IRS filings remain compulsory and we file them for you. Nothing changes for your tax position in Switzerland.
How to register your US LLC from Canada, step by step
- Pick your state, usually Wyoming or New Mexico for an online business.
- We handle the filing and obtain your EIN without an SSN.
- Activate your US bank account and Stripe from where you are.
- Keep everything compliant, from the IRS filings to the annual report, handled for you.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to travel to the US?
No US travel is needed, and you do not need a US SSN. We obtain your EIN as a non-resident owner.
Is an LLC the right structure for a Canadian resident?
It depends on your income and your clients. Canadian tax rules treat a US LLC differently from the IRS, so your accountant will tell you how it applies to you, and our team can walk you through the options.
Is it legal to create a US LLC from Canada?
Yes. Owning an LLC carries no citizenship requirement and no residency condition. Thousands of founders based in Canada and elsewhere run one from home.
Can I set up a US LLC from Canada and keep my local company?
Yes. Many founders set up the US LLC for clients abroad and leave their local company exactly as it is.
Form your US LLC from Canada with everything included from the first payment: formation, EIN, US bank account and compliance.
