You live in Germany and you want a US company. This guide explains why German founders form US LLCs, which state to pick, how to get an EIN without a Social Security number, how to open a US business bank account, and what you file every year.
Why German founders form a US company
Many German founders sell software, digital products, or services to US customers and need a US business entity to look credible and to get paid smoothly. A US LLC or C-Corporation lets you:
- Invoice US clients in US dollars and get paid faster through US payment rails.
- Open a Stripe account under a US business, which is often simpler than routing payments through a German entity.
- Sell on US marketplaces that expect a US business address and US tax paperwork.
- Meet US investor expectations if you plan to raise money, since most US investors prefer a Delaware C-Corporation.
None of this requires you to live in the US, hold a US visa, or ever visit the country. You can form, run, and close a US company entirely from Germany.
No visa, no US visit
This is one of the most common questions and the answer is simple: you do not need a visa, a green card, or a US trip to form or operate a US LLC. Company ownership is not the same as work authorization. You are forming a legal entity, not applying to live or work in the US. Your remote work for your own company from Germany does not require US immigration status.
Choosing a state: Wyoming or Delaware
Most German founders selling to US customers or running an online business choose Wyoming. It has low ongoing costs, simple annual filings, and fast formation times. If you plan to raise venture capital, a Delaware C-Corporation is the standard choice because US investors and their lawyers are used to Delaware's corporate law and cap table structures.
| Factor | Wyoming LLC | Delaware C-Corp |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Freelancers, agencies, e-commerce, SaaS without VC plans | Startups raising venture capital |
| Formation speed | 1 to 3 business days | 1 to 3 business days |
| Ongoing complexity | Lower, single annual report | Higher, corporate formalities, stock ledger |
| Investor familiarity | Less common for VC rounds | Standard for US investors |
| Tax filing | Pass-through, but foreign-owned single-member LLCs still file information returns | Corporate tax return required |
If your state is not Wyoming, Kentucky, or Colorado, formation usually takes 1 to 2 weeks instead of 1 to 3 business days. Always check the specific state's site for current processing times, since these change without notice.
Getting an EIN without a US Social Security number
You do not need a Social Security number to get an EIN, which is the tax ID your LLC needs for banking, invoicing, and tax filings. As a non-resident owner without an SSN, the standard IRS timeline for EIN issuance is 2 to 4 weeks. If you need it faster, an expedited EIN service is available and typically returns the number in days rather than weeks. PowerLaunch offers expedited EIN as an add-on for $295 on the Launch and Run plans, and it is included automatically on the Scale plan.
Opening a US bank account
Once you have your EIN, you can apply for a US business bank account. Common choices for foreign-owned LLCs include Mercury, Wise Business, and Relay. PowerLaunch can introduce you to these banks after your EIN is issued, but the approval decision always belongs to the bank, not to PowerLaunch. Have your formation documents, EIN confirmation, and a clear description of your business ready before you apply, since banks review these details closely for non-resident owners.
Annual US filings you cannot skip
Owning a US LLC as a foreign individual comes with specific federal paperwork every year, separate from any German tax obligations.
- Form 5472 with a pro forma 1120: if your LLC is a foreign-owned single-member LLC, you must file Form 5472 along with a pro forma 1120 by April 15 each year. This is an information return, not necessarily a tax bill, but the penalties for missing it are steep, so do not skip it.
- State annual report: most states, including Wyoming, require an annual report filing to keep your LLC in good standing. Missing this can lead to administrative dissolution.
- BOI reporting: under the current 2026 interim FinCEN rule, US-formed companies are exempt from beneficial ownership information reporting. Rules can change, so check FinCEN's site periodically for updates.
Your German tax and reporting obligations
Owning a US company does not remove your German tax responsibilities. Germany has its own rules on reporting foreign company ownership, controlled foreign company provisions, and how income from a foreign entity gets taxed or credited against German tax. These rules vary depending on your personal residency status, how the LLC is treated for German tax purposes, and how you take money out of the company. Because this area is detailed and changes over time, you should confirm your specific obligations with a German tax adviser or Steuerberater before and after you form your US company. PowerLaunch handles your US filings, not your German ones.
What PowerLaunch handles for you
PowerLaunch forms your US LLC or C-Corporation, gets your EIN, drafts your operating agreement or bylaws, provides a registered agent and a virtual US business address, and gives you an AI assistant inside MyCG.AI to track deadlines. The Run and Scale plans add your annual state report, a licensed tax professional consultation, your business IRS tax filings including Form 5472 and the pro forma 1120, transaction tracking with AI categorization, and live financial reports.
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Launch | $295/yr | Formation, EIN, operating agreement or bylaws, registered agent, virtual address, AI assistant |
| Run | $1,995/yr | Everything in Launch, plus state report, tax pro consultation, IRS filings, transaction tracking, Stripe invoicing, live reports |
| Scale | $2,995/yr or $329/mo | Everything in Run, plus expedited EIN, free dissolution, live call scheduling, dedicated bookkeeper |
State filing fees are always charged at cost on top of the plan price. If PowerLaunch makes a formation error, it is corrected at PowerLaunch's cost and that portion of the fee is refunded, though state fees themselves are never refundable.
What to do next
If you are ready to form your US company from Germany, start at powerlaunch.solutions/signup and choose the plan that matches your stage, Launch to get set up, Run to stay compliant year-round, or Scale for hands-on bookkeeping support. If you want to talk through Wyoming versus Delaware, your EIN timeline, or your German tax questions first, book a free 20-minute consultation at powerlaunch.solutions/book and a specialist will walk you through it.
