Singapore-based founders often need a US company to bill American clients, use US payment rails, or sell on US marketplaces. This guide covers state choice, the EIN process without a Social Security number, banking, and the yearly filings you cannot skip.
Why Singapore founders form US companies
If you sell software, services, or products to US customers, a US LLC or C-Corporation makes life easier. You can invoice in US dollars, connect to Stripe without friction, and meet marketplace or investor requirements that assume a US entity. Many US clients and platforms simply expect a US business address and a US bank account before they will pay you or list your product.
You do not need a US visa and you do not need to visit the United States to form a company or run it. The entire process, from filing to EIN to opening a bank account, can be done remotely from Singapore.
Choosing a state: Wyoming or Delaware
Most solo founders and small teams pick Wyoming. It has low state fees, no state income tax on the LLC itself, and simple annual reporting. If you plan to raise venture capital, Delaware is the standard choice, since most US investors and their lawyers expect a Delaware C-Corporation.
Here is a simple way to think about it:
| Situation | Suggested state |
|---|---|
| Freelancing, SaaS, ecommerce, consulting | Wyoming LLC |
| Raising venture capital or issuing stock options | Delaware C-Corp |
| Uncertain, want lowest cost and simplicity | Wyoming LLC |
State rules and fees change from time to time, so always check the state's official site for the current filing fee and any annual report requirement before you file.
Formation timeline
Wyoming formations are usually fast. You can expect the LLC or corporation to be filed within 1 to 3 business days. Most other states take 1 to 2 weeks. If you need documents in hand quickly for a client contract or a bank application, factor this timeline into your planning.
Getting an EIN without a US Social Security number
You do not need a Social Security number to get an EIN, which is the US tax ID your LLC needs for banking, invoicing, and filing taxes. As a non-resident owner without an SSN, the standard EIN process usually takes 2 to 4 weeks. If you need it sooner, expedited processing can bring this down to a matter of days.
Do not confuse the EIN with an ITIN. Your LLC needs an EIN. You do not need a personal US tax number to form and run a US LLC as a foreign owner.
Opening a US bank account
Once your EIN is issued, you can apply to open a US business bank account. Common options for non-resident founders include Mercury, Wise Business, and Relay. Each of these can be applied for online, without a US visit.
Approval is entirely the bank's decision, based on its own risk and compliance checks. Having a properly filed LLC, an EIN, and a clear business description improves your chances, but no formation service can guarantee bank approval on your behalf.
The US filings you cannot skip
Owning a US LLC as a foreign founder comes with two main annual obligations at the federal level, plus one at the state level.
Form 5472 and pro forma 1120. If your LLC is a single-member LLC owned by a non-US person, the IRS requires you to file Form 5472 along with a pro forma Form 1120 by 15 April each year. This is an information return, not necessarily a tax bill, but the penalties for missing it are steep. Do not skip this filing even if your LLC had little or no activity during the year.
State annual report. Most states, including Wyoming, require an annual report filing to keep your LLC in good standing. Miss this and your company can be administratively dissolved.
Beneficial ownership reporting. Under the current 2026 interim FinCEN rule, US-formed companies are exempt from BOI reporting. Rules like this can change, so it is worth checking for updates each year rather than assuming the exemption continues indefinitely.
Singapore-side considerations
Owning a US company does not remove your obligations at home. Singapore has its own rules on how income from foreign entities is treated, and there may be reporting requirements tied to owning or controlling a foreign company. These rules depend on your personal residency status, how the LLC's income flows to you, and how you structure your involvement.
This guide does not cover Singapore tax law in detail, and rules change. Speak with a Singapore-based tax adviser or accountant to confirm how owning a US LLC affects your personal or business tax position at home, before or shortly after you form the company.
What PowerLaunch handles for you
PowerLaunch forms US LLCs and C-Corporations for founders anywhere in the world, including Singapore, 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, partner deals |
| Run | $1,995/yr | Everything in Launch, plus annual state report filing, licensed tax professional consultation, business IRS tax filings, transaction tracking with AI categorization, Stripe invoicing, live financial reports, multiple bank connections, ecommerce analytics, monthly and quarterly closings |
| Scale | $2,995/yr or $329/mo | Everything in Run, plus expedited EIN, free dissolution, live call scheduling based on availability, dedicated bookkeeper |
All plans are billed in US dollars, plus the state filing fee at cost. An expedited EIN add-on is available for $295 on Launch and Run if you need your EIN faster than the standard timeline.
If PowerLaunch makes a formation error, it is corrected at PowerLaunch's cost, and that portion of the fee is refunded. State fees themselves are never refundable, since they are paid directly to the state.
What to do next
If you are ready to form your US LLC from Singapore, go to powerlaunch.solutions/signup to choose a plan and get started. If you want to talk through Wyoming vs Delaware, the EIN timeline, or your banking options first, book a free 20-minute consultation at powerlaunch.solutions/book.
