Doing it yourself, or using us
You can form a US LLC without any service at all. Here is what that involves, what we do instead, and when doing it yourself is the better choice.
| On your own | With LLCBolt | |
|---|---|---|
| State filing | You fill in the state form online and pay the state fee. Most state websites are straightforward if you know what to enter. | We prepare and submit it, after searching the register for your name. |
| Registered agent | Required in every state. Living abroad, you cannot be your own, so you hire one anyway, usually for $50 to $300 a year. | Included for 12 months, then $99 a year. Mail is scanned into your dashboard. |
| EIN | Free from the IRS. Without an SSN you fax Form SS-4 or call the IRS international line. Mistakes on the form mean waiting again. | We prepare the SS-4, check it against your approved filing, send it and follow up. |
| Operating agreement | Not filed with the state, but banks ask for it. Templates exist; make sure it reflects a foreign owner and your state. | Prepared for you to sign (Standard and Complete). |
| US address for banks and payment providers | You find a provider that offers a real street address and mail scanning. | Available as an extra, included in Complete. |
| Deadlines | You track the state report and IRS Form 5472 yourself. | Every deadline is in your dashboard with the exact fee, with email reminders. |
| Time spent | Typically several hours of reading and form filling, plus waiting on the phone or fax for the EIN. | About five minutes of questions, then you wait for updates. |
| Money | State fee plus the registered agent you hire. The EIN is free. | Our package from $99, plus the state fee at cost. |
Do it yourself if
- You are comfortable with US government forms in English.
- You already have a registered agent or a trusted contact with an address in the state.
- You are not in a hurry for the EIN and can call or fax the IRS yourself.
- Saving our fee matters more than the hours it takes.
The non-resident LLC guide and EIN guide cover the steps.
Use a service if
- You would need a registered agent anyway, which is most people living abroad.
- You want the EIN application checked against your filing and followed up for you.
- You want documents, agent mail and deadlines kept in one place.
- You would rather spend the time on the business.
What no formation service can do
Whoever files, the state and the IRS work at their own pace, banks and payment providers decide for themselves whom they accept, and your tax position depends on where you live. Be wary of anyone who guarantees a bank account, a tax result or a fixed EIN date. We do not.
See exactly what you would pay
The calculator shows our fee, the state fee and the yearly costs for every state.