Your US company can be already formed — EIN included, ready for Stripe

India has one of the largest and fastest-growing freelance economies in the world. With an estimated 3 to 5 million freelancers contributing to the digital economy, India consistently ranks among the top five countries on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com.

Yet Indian professionals face a structural barrier that limits their earning potential and business growth: they cannot access the payment infrastructure that the rest of the world takes for granted.

Stripe is not available in India

Stripe, the world's leading online payment processor — used by companies from early-stage startups to Fortune 500 enterprises — does not operate in India. There is no native Stripe account available to Indian businesses or individuals. This means Indian founders cannot accept card payments through Stripe on their own websites, SaaS products, or digital platforms.

PayPal is severely restricted

While PayPal operates in India in a limited capacity, withdrawing funds to an Indian bank account remains blocked. Freelancers who receive PayPal payments often have to rely on third-party exchange services or maintain accounts in other countries — adding cost, complexity, and risk.

The real cost of being locked out

Without access to Stripe and reliable PayPal withdrawals, Indian freelancers and businesses face:

• Lost clients — many international clients only pay via Stripe or PayPal
• Higher fees — alternative payment methods (Payoneer, wire transfers) carry higher costs and slower settlement
• Limited scalability — you cannot build a subscription-based SaaS, e-commerce store, or digital product business without reliable card processing
• Credibility gap — international clients and partners perceive businesses without standard payment options as less professional
• Currency restrictions — difficulty holding and managing USD earnings efficiently

The frustration is real. Indian developers, designers, writers, and digital agency owners are building world-class products — but they are competing with one hand tied behind their back because of payment infrastructure limitations they cannot control.

The solution used by thousands of Indian founders, freelancers, and digital entrepreneurs is straightforward: operate your international business through a US Limited Liability Company (LLC). You can buy one ready-made — already registered, already holding its EIN — or register a fresh one in your own name.

A US LLC gives you:

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

Why Wyoming is the most popular choice for Indian founders

Wyoming is the preferred state for most international LLC formations, and for good reason:

• No state income tax — Wyoming does not tax LLC income at the state level
• Strong privacy protections — member and manager names are not listed on public filings
• Low fees — $100 state filing fee, $60 annual report
• Asset protection — Wyoming provides the 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)

Both routes end with a Wyoming LLC and an EIN in your name. The difference is speed and whether the exact company name matters more than getting started now.

Getting a US LLC from India is simpler than most people expect. Here is exactly what you need:

Required documents

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

What you do NOT need

• No SSN (Social Security Number) — 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 through it)
• No prior US business experience — first-time founders welcome

Once your LLC is in your name and its EIN is in place, the next step is opening a US business bank account. We guide you through this process and help you prepare your application documents.

Recommended banks for non-residents

Mercury — the most popular choice among international founders. Mercury offers free business banking with no monthly fees, FDIC insurance up to $5 million, and integrations with Stripe, PayPal, and accounting software. The entire application is completed online.

Relay Financial — another strong option with no monthly fees, multiple checking accounts, and profit-first budgeting features. Relay also accepts non-resident applications remotely.

Wise Business — ideal for multi-currency operations. Wise allows you to hold USD, INR, and 50+ other currencies with low-cost international transfers.

Documents you will need for a bank application

• 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 Employer Identification Number (EIN) is your US federal tax identification number, issued free by the IRS. Every LLC needs an EIN to open a bank account, accept payments, and file taxes. On a ready-made company, the EIN is already issued — on a new LLC, we obtain it for you.

How we obtain your EIN

Non-US residents cannot apply for an EIN online (the IRS online application requires an SSN or ITIN). Instead, we apply on your behalf as an IRS Third Party Designee:

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 (available Monday-Friday, 6am-11pm US Eastern Time)
3. The IRS verbally assigns your EIN during the call — same-day issuance
4. We follow up with the signed Form SS-4 by fax within 24 hours as required by the IRS
5. You receive your EIN confirmation immediately

The IRS charges no fee for EIN assignment. Our service fee covers the preparation, phone application, and follow-up paperwork.

Standalone EIN service

If you already have a US LLC and only need an EIN, we offer a standalone EIN application service for $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. This is an information return, not a tax payment — but the consequences of not filing are severe.

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 (US Corporation Income Tax Return)
• When to file: By April 15 of the following year (6-month extension available by filing Form 7004)
• How to file: Paper only. Form 5472 cannot be e-filed — it must be mailed to the IRS as a physical document
• What to report: All reportable transactions between you and your LLC (capital contributions, distributions, payments for services, loans)

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 that may apply to foreign reporting companies.

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

US tax position

A single-member LLC owned by a non-resident alien (NRA) is treated as a disregarded entity for US federal income tax purposes. This means:

• The LLC itself does not pay US income tax
• Income passes through to the owner
• If the LLC has no US-source income and no effectively connected income (ECI), the US tax liability is typically minimal
• You are still required to file Form 5472 annually (information return)
• Wyoming has no state income tax, so there is no state-level tax liability

India tax considerations

India taxes its residents on worldwide income. Income earned through your US LLC may be taxable in India under Indian tax law. Key considerations:

• There is a US-India Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) for income tax, which may affect how cross-border income is treated
• You should report your US LLC income to the Income Tax Department in India
• Consult an Indian tax advisor (Chartered Accountant) who understands cross-border structures

Disclaimer: This is factual information, not tax advice. We are not a law firm or CPA firm. Tax obligations depend on your individual circumstances, the nature of your income, and applicable tax treaties. Consult a qualified tax professional.

We understand the specific challenges and opportunities facing Indian entrepreneurs in the global digital economy. Our service is designed with Indian founders in mind.

Local payment options

We accept international card payments and bank transfers for our service fees. If you prefer to pay using UPI, Google Pay, or PhonePe, contact us via WhatsApp and we will arrange an alternative payment method for your convenience.

INR price reference

At current exchange rates (approximately 1 USD = 83 INR), the Business Ready package at $549 is approximately INR 45,600. Final INR amount depends on the exchange rate at the time of payment.

Support in your timezone

India Standard Time (IST, UTC+5:30) overlaps with our UK support hours. We are available via WhatsApp, email, and phone during business hours that work for Indian clients.

Why this matters for Indian freelancers

India ranks as the 2nd largest freelancing country in the world. The India IT and ITeS industry exported over $194 billion in the fiscal year 2023-24. The government's Digital India initiative and Startup India programme have created one of the world's largest startup ecosystems.

Yet these skilled professionals are held back by payment infrastructure limitations. A US LLC removes that barrier entirely, giving Indian founders the same access to Stripe, PayPal, and US banking that their competitors in supported countries already enjoy.