Setting up a US company from France is fully possible without a visa, a US visit, or a Social Security number. This guide covers why French founders choose a US LLC, which state to pick, how to get an EIN, how to open a US bank account, and what tax filings you owe every year on both sides of the Atlantic.
Why French founders form a US company
Many founders in France build products for US customers, sell on US marketplaces, or want to invoice through Stripe with a US business entity behind it. A US LLC or C-Corporation makes that easier in a few ways.
- US clients and marketplaces often prefer paying a US business. Contracts, invoices, and tax forms move faster.
- Stripe and other US payment rails work more smoothly with a US-registered company and a US bank account.
- Investors who write checks in US dollars, especially venture investors, usually expect a Delaware C-Corporation.
- A US entity can separate your French tax residency from your US business activity, though the two systems still interact, which we cover below.
None of this requires you to leave France. You do not need a US visa, a green card, or a trip to the United States to form the company, get an EIN, or open a bank account.
Choosing a state: Wyoming or Delaware
Most French founders running an online business, an agency, or a small products company do well with a Wyoming LLC. It is inexpensive to maintain, has no state income tax on income earned outside the state, and the state itself has a fast, simple filing process.
If you plan to raise venture capital, Delaware is the standard choice. Investors are used to Delaware C-Corporation structures, and the legal and paperwork that comes with a funding round assumes it.
Here is a simple way to think about it.
| Your situation | Suggested state | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Freelance, agency, or SaaS with no funding plans | Wyoming LLC | Low ongoing cost, simple structure, fast formation |
| Raising venture capital or planning to | Delaware C-Corp | Standard for US investors, familiar legal terms |
| Selling on US marketplaces, no funding plans | Wyoming LLC | Simpler tax filing as a single-member LLC |
Kentucky and Colorado also offer fast formation timelines if you have a specific reason to file there. Check the state's site if you are choosing a state PowerLaunch has not confirmed for your situation.
Getting an EIN without an SSN
An EIN, the US federal tax ID for your company, does not require a Social Security number. As a non-resident founder, PowerLaunch requests your EIN directly from the IRS using an alternate process built for owners without an SSN.
The normal timeline for non-resident owners is 2 to 4 weeks. If you need it faster, the expedited EIN add-on is available for $295 on the Launch and Run plans, and it is already included on Scale. Expedited processing can bring this down to a matter of days in many cases, though the IRS's internal workload still plays a role.
Opening a US bank account from France
Once your EIN is issued, PowerLaunch introduces you to Mercury, Wise Business, or Relay, banking partners that work with non-resident founders. You do not need to visit the US to apply. That said, approval is always the bank's decision, based on their own review of your business and documents. PowerLaunch cannot guarantee approval, only that you will have what you need to apply.
Annual US filings you should expect
If you form a single-member LLC and you are not a US person, the IRS treats your company as a foreign-owned disregarded entity for reporting purposes. This comes with a specific yearly filing.
- Form 5472 with a pro forma 1120, due by 15 April each year. This reports transactions between you and your LLC. It is an information return, not usually a tax bill on its own, but the penalty for missing it is significant, so it should never be skipped.
- Annual state report, due on a schedule set by the state where you formed your company. Fees and deadlines vary by state, so check the state's site for your exact date.
- BOI reporting: under the current 2026 interim FinCEN rule, US-formed companies are exempt from beneficial ownership reporting. Rules like this can shift, so it is worth confirming there has been no change before you file.
The Run and Scale plans include your business IRS tax filings and the annual state report, along with a consultation with a licensed tax professional, so you are not tracking these deadlines alone.
Your French tax obligations still exist
Forming a US company does not remove your tax responsibilities in France. Depending on how you structure your ownership, where you are tax resident, and how the LLC is treated for French tax purposes, you may need to report the US company's income, its existence, or both, on your French return. France also has its own rules about foreign companies and foreign bank accounts held by French tax residents.
This is qualitative on purpose. Rules here depend on your personal residency status, the structure you choose, and current French tax law, all of which can change. PowerLaunch's US tax consultation covers your US filings, but it does not replace a French adviser. Talk to a French accountant or tax lawyer before and after you form your US company, so your two filing calendars stay in sync.
PowerLaunch plans and prices
| Plan | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Launch | $295/yr | Formation, EIN, registered agent, virtual address, AI assistant |
| Run | $1,995/yr | Everything in Launch, plus state report, tax filings, bookkeeping tools, tax pro consultation |
| Scale | $2,995/yr or $329/mo | Everything in Run, plus expedited EIN, dedicated bookkeeper, live scheduling, free dissolution |
All plans add the state filing fee at cost. If a formation error is PowerLaunch's fault, it is corrected at no charge and that portion of the fee is refunded. State fees are never refundable.
What to do next
If you are ready to form your US company from France, start at powerlaunch.solutions/signup and pick the plan that matches your stage, Launch for a simple company, Run if you want the annual filings handled, or Scale if you want a dedicated bookkeeper from day one.
If you have questions first, book a free 20-minute consultation at powerlaunch.solutions/book, or email contact@powerlaunch.solutions. You can also ask the site assistant anything about state choice, EIN timelines, or bank introductions before you commit.
