Your US company is already formed — and its EIN already exists

Brazil has the largest freelance market in Latin America and one of the largest in the world. With over 1.5 million IT professionals and a booming digital economy, Brazilian developers serve clients across the Americas and globally.

Yet Brazilian professionals face a uniquely frustrating combination: Stripe is limited to BRL, PayPal charges punitive fees, and the Brazilian tax and banking system makes international USD operations extremely complex.

Stripe in Brazil is BRL-only

While Stripe technically operates in Brazil, Brazilian Stripe accounts can only process payments in Brazilian reais (BRL). Brazilian founders cannot invoice international clients in USD through Stripe. Combined with the CNPJ requirement and complex tax implications, Stripe in Brazil is not equivalent to Stripe in the US.

The IOF tax and banking complexity

Brazil imposes the IOF (Imposto sobre Operações Financeiras) on international financial transactions, adding 0.38-6.38% to every cross-border transfer. Combined with unfavourable bank conversion rates, Brazilian freelancers can lose 8-12% of their international earnings to fees, taxes, and conversion spreads.

The real cost of being locked out

Without proper payment infrastructure, Brazilian entrepreneurs face:

• BRL-only Stripe — Brazilian Stripe accounts cannot process USD, forcing real-denominated invoicing
• Punitive PayPal fees — up to 5.99% conversion spread plus IOF on withdrawals
• IOF on every transfer — 0.38-6.38% tax on international financial operations
• CNPJ complexity — Brazilian company registration is bureaucratic and triggers additional tax obligations
• Currency volatility — the BRL/USD rate fluctuates significantly, creating pricing uncertainty

Brazilian talent is extraordinary. A US LLC removes the financial infrastructure barriers and lets Brazilian professionals compete on equal terms.

The solution used by thousands of entrepreneurs worldwide is straightforward: operate your international business through a US Limited Liability Company (LLC) — whether you buy one ready-made or register a fresh one in your chosen name.

This is not a loophole. Stripe explicitly supports this model — their own product, Stripe Atlas, exists to help international founders form US companies. Our service provides the same outcome at a lower cost with more state options and personalised guidance.

Why Wyoming is the most popular choice

• No state income tax — Wyoming does not tax LLC income
• Strong privacy protections — member and manager names are not on public filings
• Low fees — $100 state filing fee, $60 annual report
• Asset protection — strongest charging order protections in the US
• Fast processing — online filing processed in 1-2 business days
• No franchise tax — unlike Delaware ($300/year) or California ($800/year)

If speed matters most, a ready-made company is the difference between "launching next month" and "invoicing this afternoon." If the exact company name matters more than speed, register fresh from $549.

Required documents

• Valid passport — Brazilian passport or any government-issued passport
• Brazilian residential address — your home or business address
• Email address — for correspondence and document delivery
• Phone number — Brazilian mobile number is fine

What you do NOT need

• No SSN — not required for non-US residents
• No ITIN — not required for LLC formation or EIN
• No US visa — you never need to enter the United States
• No US address — your registered agent provides the US address
• No US bank account — this comes after formation (we guide you)
• No prior US business experience — first-time founders welcome

Once your LLC is in your name and your EIN is in place, the next step is opening a US business bank account.

Recommended banks for non-residents

Mercury — the most popular choice among international founders. Free business banking, FDIC insurance up to $5 million, Stripe/PayPal integrations. Application completed online.

Relay Financial — no monthly fees, multiple checking accounts, profit-first budgeting. Accepts non-resident applications remotely.

Wise Business — ideal for multi-currency operations. Hold USD, BRL, and 50+ currencies with low-cost transfers.

Documents you will need

• Articles of Organization (Certificate of Formation)
• EIN confirmation letter from the IRS
• Operating Agreement
• Valid passport (photo page)
• Business description and expected transaction volume
• Website URL (if applicable)

An EIN is your US federal tax ID, issued free by the IRS. Every LLC needs one for banking, payments, and taxes. A ready-made company already has its EIN — for new registrations, here is how we obtain yours.

How we obtain your EIN

1. We prepare your Form SS-4 with your LLC and personal details
2. We call the IRS International EIN line at 267-941-1099 (Monday-Friday, 6am-11pm US Eastern)
3. The IRS assigns your EIN during the call — same-day issuance
4. We follow up with the signed Form SS-4 by fax within 24 hours
5. You receive your EIN confirmation immediately

The IRS charges no fee for EIN assignment.

Standalone EIN service

Already have a US LLC? Standalone EIN application: $199.

If you are a non-US person who owns a US LLC, the IRS requires you to file Form 5472 every year, attached to a pro forma Form 1120.

Key facts about Form 5472

• Who must file: Any foreign-owned US disregarded entity (single-member LLC owned by a non-US person)
• What to file: Form 5472 attached to a pro forma Form 1120
• When to file: By April 15 of the following year (6-month extension via Form 7004)
• How to file: Paper only. Form 5472 cannot be e-filed — it must be mailed to the IRS
• What to report: All reportable transactions between you and your LLC

BOI reporting update (March 2025)

Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting under the Corporate Transparency Act has been eliminated for domestic LLCs as of March 2025. Foreign-owned LLCs should monitor FinCEN announcements for any future requirements.

Understanding the tax position of your US LLC is essential. The information below is general factual information — consult a qualified tax professional.

US tax position

A single-member LLC owned by a non-resident alien is treated as a disregarded entity for US federal income tax purposes:

• The LLC itself does not pay US income tax
• Income passes through to the owner
• If the LLC has no US-source income, the US tax liability is typically minimal
• You must still file Form 5472 annually
• Wyoming has no state income tax

Brazil tax considerations

Brazil taxes its residents on worldwide income. The Brazilian tax system is notably complex. Key considerations:

• Brazil has a tax treaty with the US that may provide some relief from double taxation
• Income earned through a US LLC is reportable to the Receita Federal (Brazilian IRS)
• Brazilian individuals must report foreign-held assets and income on their annual IRPF declaration
• The interaction between US LLC pass-through taxation and Brazilian taxation requires specialist advice
• Consult a Brazilian contador (accountant) who understands cross-border structures

We understand the challenges and opportunities facing Brazilian entrepreneurs. Our service is designed with Brazilian founders in mind.

Local payment options

We accept international card payments (Visa, Mastercard) and bank wire transfers. We also accept PIX transfers and Wise. Contact us via WhatsApp for PIX details.

BRL price reference

At current exchange rates (approximately 1 USD = 5.05 BRL), the Business Ready package at $549 is approximately BRL 2,267. The real fluctuates against the dollar. Final BRL amount depends on the rate at time of payment.

Support in your timezone

Brasilia Time (BRT, UTC-3) overlaps with US Eastern business hours. We are available via WhatsApp, email, and phone during hours that work for Brazilian clients.

Why this matters for Brazilian entrepreneurs

Brazil’s tech ecosystem is the largest in Latin America. São Paulo is the region’s tech capital, with over 13,000 startups and more than $5 billion in venture capital deployed in 2021-2023. Brazilian developers rank among the most active on GitHub globally.

A US LLC gives Brazilian professionals the infrastructure to invoice in USD, accept payments through full Stripe, and eliminate the IOF tax and conversion fees that eat into their earnings.