If you live in Italy and sell to US clients, use Stripe, or list on US marketplaces, a US LLC often makes payments and trust easier. You do not need a visa or a US visit to form one, get an EIN, or open a US business bank account.
Why Italian founders form a US company
US clients and marketplaces often expect a US business behind the invoice. A US LLC lets you accept US card payments, use Stripe without friction, and open accounts with Mercury, Wise Business, or Relay. If you plan to raise money from US investors later, a Delaware C-Corporation is usually what they expect to see. None of this requires you to move, visit, or hold a US visa.
You do not need a visa or a US trip
Formation, the EIN application, and bank account opening can all happen while you stay in Italy. PowerLaunch handles the state filing and the EIN application for you. Banks review applications online and make their own approval decision, but a visit is not a requirement for any of the popular options.
Choosing a state: Wyoming or Delaware
Most Italian founders running an online business, agency, or e-commerce store choose Wyoming. It has low state fees, no state income tax on income earned outside the state, and simple annual upkeep. If you plan to raise venture capital or bring on US investors, Delaware is the more familiar choice for that audience, and a C-Corporation structure usually fits better than an LLC in that case.
| Situation | Likely fit |
|---|---|
| Freelancing, agency, SaaS with no outside investors | Wyoming LLC |
| Planning to raise from US venture investors | Delaware C-Corporation |
| Selling on US marketplaces, using Stripe | Wyoming LLC works well |
| Not sure yet | Start with Wyoming LLC, convert later if needed |
Rules and fees can change, so check the state's own site for the current filing fee and any annual report details before you file.
Getting an EIN without an SSN
You do not need a Social Security Number to get an EIN. The IRS issues EINs to foreign owners through a different application path. Without an SSN, this typically takes two to four weeks. If you need it faster, expedited processing can bring this down to a matter of days, and PowerLaunch offers this as an add-on on the Launch and Run plans.
Opening a US bank account from Italy
Once you have your EIN, PowerLaunch can introduce you to Mercury, Wise Business, or Relay. Each bank makes its own approval decision based on your documents and business details, so approval is never guaranteed by PowerLaunch or anyone else. Having your formation documents, EIN letter, and a clear business description ready speeds up the review.
The US filings you owe every year
If you are the sole non-US owner of a single-member LLC, the IRS requires two things filed together each year: Form 5472 and a pro forma 1120, due by April 15. This is an information return, not necessarily a tax bill, but missing it can bring steep penalties, so do not skip it.
You also owe your state's annual report, which keeps your LLC in good standing. Fees and deadlines vary by state, so check the state's site or ask your provider.
As for beneficial ownership reporting, US-formed companies are currently exempt under the 2026 interim FinCEN rule. Rules like this can shift, so it is worth confirming your status each year rather than assuming it stays the same.
| Filing | What it is | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Form 5472 + pro forma 1120 | Federal information return for foreign-owned single-member LLCs | April 15 |
| State annual report | Keeps your LLC active with the state | Varies by state, check the state's site |
| BOI report | Currently exempt for US-formed companies under the 2026 interim rule | Confirm each year |
Your Italian tax picture still matters
Forming a US LLC does not remove your obligations in Italy. Depending on how you are taxed there, income from a US company you own may still need to be reported on your Italian return, and Italy has its own rules about foreign companies controlled by Italian residents. These rules are detailed and change, so this guide will not guess at specifics. Talk to an Italian commercialista or tax adviser who can look at your exact situation, your residency status, and how the US LLC's income should be treated at home. Getting this right from year one avoids surprises later.
What PowerLaunch handles for you
PowerLaunch forms your LLC or C-Corporation, files for your EIN, drafts your operating agreement or bylaws, sets up your registered agent, and gives you a virtual business address and mailing address. Formation usually takes one to three business days in Wyoming, Kentucky, or Colorado, and one to two weeks in most other states.
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Launch | $295/yr | Formation, EIN, operating agreement or bylaws, registered agent, virtual address, AI assistant, email support |
| Run | $1,995/yr | Everything in Launch, plus annual state report, licensed tax professional consultation, business IRS filings, transaction tracking, Stripe invoicing, live financial reports, 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 add the state filing fee at cost. Expedited EIN is a $295 add-on on Launch and Run. If a formation error is PowerLaunch's fault, it is fixed at PowerLaunch's cost and that part of the fee is refunded. State fees are never refundable.
What to do next
If you want your US LLC or C-Corporation set up correctly from Italy, with the EIN, bank introductions, and yearly filings handled, start at powerlaunch.solutions/signup. If you want to talk through Wyoming versus Delaware, your bank options, or how the yearly filings work before you commit, book a free 20-minute consultation at powerlaunch.solutions/book.
