Many Dutch founders form a US company to bill American clients, use Stripe and US payment rails, sell on US marketplaces, or meet investor expectations. This guide walks through the state choice, the EIN process without a Social Security number, banking, and the yearly US filings you need to plan for.
Why Dutch founders set up a US company
If you sell software, services, or products to US customers, a US LLC or C-Corporation makes life easier. US clients and marketplaces often prefer paying a US entity. Stripe, PayPal, and US payment processors work more smoothly with a US bank account and US tax ID. If you are raising money from US investors, they will usually expect a Delaware C-Corporation, since that is the structure most US venture funds are built to invest in.
You do not need a US visa, a green card, or a trip to the United States to form a company or run it. Everything, from filing the paperwork to getting a tax ID to opening a bank account, can be done remotely from the Netherlands.
Choosing a state: Wyoming or Delaware
For most Dutch founders running an online business, consulting practice, or small e-commerce store, Wyoming is the default choice. It has low state fees, no state income tax on the company itself, and a fast, simple filing process.
Delaware is the standard choice if you plan to raise venture capital. US investors are familiar with Delaware corporate law and most standard investment paperwork assumes a Delaware C-Corporation.
| Factor | Wyoming LLC | Delaware C-Corp |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Freelancers, consultants, e-commerce, SaaS without outside investors | Startups raising US venture capital |
| Formation speed | 1 to 3 business days | 1 to 3 business days |
| Ongoing complexity | Lower, pass-through taxation | Higher, corporate tax and payroll if you take a salary |
| Investor familiarity | Less common for equity rounds | Standard for US investors |
If you are unsure which fits your plans, a state fee guide can only take you so far. It is worth talking through your specific goals before you file, since converting from an LLC to a corporation later is possible but adds cost and paperwork.
Getting an EIN without a Social Security number
Every US company needs an Employer Identification Number, or EIN, to open a bank account, file taxes, and work with payment processors. You do not need a Social Security number or an ITIN to get one as a foreign owner. The IRS issues EINs to non-resident founders through a separate process.
The catch is timing. Without an SSN, the standard EIN process can take two to four weeks. If you need to move faster, expedited processing can bring this down to a matter of days. Plan your launch timeline around this, especially if a client or marketplace is waiting on your tax ID before they will pay you.
Opening a US bank account from the Netherlands
Once your company has an EIN, you can apply for a US business bank account. PowerLaunch introduces founders to Mercury, Wise Business, and Relay after the EIN is issued. All three work well for non-resident founders and support USD accounts, wire transfers, and integration with tools like Stripe.
Approval is always the bank's decision, not something anyone can guarantee. Having your formation documents, EIN letter, and a clear description of your business ready will make the application smoother.
Annual US filings you cannot skip
Owning a US LLC as a foreign founder comes with yearly federal obligations, even if the company has no US income or is not yet profitable.
If you are the sole owner of a US LLC and you are not a US person, the IRS treats your LLC as a reporting entity that must file Form 5472 along with a pro forma Form 1120 by 15 April each year. This is an information return, not necessarily a bill, but missing it can trigger significant penalties. It applies regardless of how much revenue the company made.
On top of the federal filing, most states require an annual report and a state fee to keep the company in good standing. Wyoming's requirement is simple and inexpensive; other states vary, so check the specific state's site for current fees and deadlines.
As for beneficial ownership reporting, US-formed companies are currently exempt under the 2026 interim FinCEN rule. Rules like this can change, so it is worth confirming your obligations each year rather than assuming last year's answer still applies.
Your Dutch tax and reporting obligations
Forming a US company does not remove your Dutch tax responsibilities. Depending on how the LLC is treated for Dutch tax purposes, how you draw money from it, and whether you are considered a Dutch tax resident, you may have reporting or tax obligations at home tied to owning a foreign company. These rules can be detailed and depend on your personal situation.
This guide cannot tell you exactly how the Netherlands will treat your specific structure. Talk to a Dutch tax adviser or accountant who is familiar with foreign company ownership before you rely on any US structure for tax planning. Getting this conversation right at the start saves a lot of trouble later.
How PowerLaunch handles this for Dutch founders
PowerLaunch forms US LLCs and C-Corporations for founders anywhere in the world, including the Netherlands, and runs the company afterward on the MyCG.AI platform. Here is what the plans include.
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| 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 filing, licensed tax professional consultation, IRS tax filings including your 5472 and 1120, transaction tracking, Stripe invoicing, 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 processing is available as a $295 add-on on Launch and Run if you need your tax ID faster than the standard two to four weeks.
If PowerLaunch makes a formation error, it gets corrected at PowerLaunch's cost, with that portion of the fee refunded. State fees themselves are never refundable, since they go directly to the state.
What to do next
If you are ready to form your US company, head to powerlaunch.solutions/signup to choose a plan and get started. If you want to talk through Wyoming versus Delaware, your EIN timeline, or how the annual filings will work for your situation, book a free 20-minute consultation at powerlaunch.solutions/book.
