If you live in Brazil and sell to clients in the US or on global platforms, a US company can make payments and contracts much simpler. This guide covers why founders in Brazil form US entities, which state to pick, how to get an EIN without a Social Security number, and what you owe the IRS every year.
Why Brazilian founders form a US company
Many clients, marketplaces, and payment processors are built around US businesses. A US LLC or C-Corp gives you:
- A US bank account that connects to Stripe, PayPal, and other US payment rails without friction.
- A US business address and EIN, which many marketplaces and B2B clients ask for before they will sign a contract.
- A structure investors recognize, if you plan to raise from US-based funds or accelerators later.
- Access to invoicing tools built for US dollar clients, so you get paid faster and with fewer conversion fees.
You do not need a US visa, a Social Security number, or a trip to the US to form or run the company. The entire process, from filing to EIN to bank account, can be done remotely from Brazil.
Choosing a state: Wyoming or Delaware
Most solo founders and small teams pick Wyoming. It has low state fees, no state income tax on income earned outside Wyoming, and light annual reporting. If you plan to raise venture capital or bring on US-based investors later, Delaware is the more common choice, since most US investors and their lawyers are set up to invest in Delaware C-Corps.
| Factor | Wyoming LLC | Delaware C-Corp |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Freelancers, agencies, e-commerce, SaaS without investors | Startups planning to raise venture funding |
| Formation speed | 1 to 3 business days | Typically 1 to 2 weeks |
| Ongoing filings | Annual state report | Annual state report, more corporate formalities |
| Investor familiarity | Lower | Very high |
If you are not sure which fits your plan, a short consultation can help you decide before you file, since switching structures later costs more than choosing correctly the first time.
Getting an EIN without an SSN
You do not need a Social Security number or an ITIN to get an EIN for your LLC or corporation. The IRS issues EINs to foreign owners through a different process than the one used for US residents. For founders without an SSN, this typically takes 2 to 4 weeks through standard processing. If you need it faster, expedited EIN processing is available as an add-on and can shorten that wait significantly.
Your EIN is the single most important number for your company. You need it to open a bank account, file taxes, and set up most US payment processors.
Opening a US bank account from Brazil
Once you have your EIN, you can apply for a US business bank account. Common options for non-resident founders include Mercury, Wise Business, and Relay. Each has its own approval process, and approval is always the bank's decision, not something any formation service can guarantee. Having a clean EIN, a registered US address, and complete formation documents makes approval smoother. Most founders apply within a few days of receiving their EIN and hear back shortly after.
What you file with the IRS every year
Owning a US LLC from Brazil comes with a fixed federal filing obligation. If your LLC is foreign-owned and has a single member, the IRS requires:
- Form 5472, reporting transactions between your LLC and its foreign owner.
- A pro forma Form 1120 filed alongside it.
- Both are due by April 15 each year.
This filing is required even if your LLC had no US income or was not active for the full year. Missing it can lead to significant penalties, so it should never be skipped.
On top of the federal filing, most states require an annual report to keep your company in good standing. Fees and deadlines vary by state, so check your state's site or confirm with your provider each year.
As for beneficial ownership reporting, US-formed companies are currently exempt under the 2026 interim FinCEN rule. Rules can shift, so it is worth confirming your current obligation each year rather than assuming it stays the same.
Your obligations back in Brazil
Owning a US company does not remove your reporting duties in Brazil. Depending on your situation, you may need to report foreign company ownership, foreign income, or foreign assets to Brazilian tax authorities. These rules vary based on your income, residency status, and how the company is structured, and they change over time. A local accountant or tax adviser familiar with Brazilian rules on foreign holdings should confirm exactly what applies to you. This guide covers the US side only.
How PowerLaunch handles this for you
PowerLaunch forms US LLCs and C-Corporations for founders anywhere in the world, including Brazil, and runs the company on the MyCG.AI finance platform.
| Plan | Price | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| Launch | $295/yr | Formation filings, EIN, operating agreement or bylaws, registered agent, virtual mailing and business address, AI assistant, email support |
| Run | $1,995/yr | Everything in Launch plus annual state report, licensed tax professional consultation, IRS tax filings including 5472 and 1120, transaction tracking with AI categorization, Stripe invoicing, live financial reports, multiple bank connections, monthly and quarterly closings |
| Scale | $2,995/yr or $329/mo | Everything in Run plus expedited EIN, free dissolution, live call scheduling, dedicated bookkeeper |
All plans are billed in US dollars, plus the state filing fee at cost. Expedited EIN is available as a $295 add-on on Launch and Run. If a formation error is caused by PowerLaunch, it is corrected at no cost and that portion of the fee is refunded. State fees themselves are never refundable.
What to do next
If you are ready to form your US company, go to powerlaunch.solutions/signup and pick the plan that matches your stage, Launch to get started, Run if you need ongoing tax filings and bookkeeping, or Scale if you want a dedicated bookkeeper and faster EIN processing.
If you still have questions about which state fits your business or how the 5472 filing works for your situation, book a free 20-minute consultation at powerlaunch.solutions/book. You can also reach the team anytime at contact@powerlaunch.solutions or through the site assistant.
