Spanish founders often set up a US company to bill American clients, use Stripe and other 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 keep in mind, plus a reminder to check your Spanish tax position with a local adviser.
Why Spanish founders form a US company
A lot of US clients and platforms simply expect a US entity. Stripe, many marketplaces, and some enterprise buyers are built around US business structures and US bank accounts. A US LLC or C-Corp gives you:
- A US business address and a US phone-free way to look established to American clients.
- Access to US payment processors and invoicing tools that assume a US taxpayer.
- A structure that US investors recognize, which matters if you plan to raise from US-based funds later.
None of this requires you to live in the US or hold a US visa.
No visa and no US visit required
You can form a US LLC or C-Corp entirely from Spain. There is no requirement to travel, no visa tied to company formation, and no need to be a US resident or citizen to own the company. The formation, the EIN application, and the bank introductions can all happen while you stay in Spain. Some banks may ask for a video call as part of their own approval process, but that is the bank's decision, not a legal requirement of forming the company.
Choosing a state: Wyoming or Delaware
Most solo founders and small teams pick Wyoming for the low ongoing costs and simple annual report. Founders planning to raise venture capital often choose Delaware, since many US investors and their lawyers default to Delaware corporate law.
| Factor | Wyoming | Delaware |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Freelancers, agencies, e-commerce, SaaS without VC plans | Startups raising US venture capital |
| Entity type commonly used | LLC | C-Corporation |
| Investor familiarity | Fine for most clients and processors | Preferred by US VCs |
| Ongoing state filing | Simple annual report | Annual report plus franchise tax |
| Formation speed with PowerLaunch | 1 to 3 business days | 1 to 3 business days |
If you are not sure which one fits your plans, say so on your consultation call and PowerLaunch can help you think it through. Rules and fees can change, so always check the state's own site for current filing fees and requirements.
Getting an EIN without a US Social Security number
An EIN, the US federal tax ID, is required to open a bank account and to file your US taxes. Non-resident owners without a Social Security number can still get one. The catch is timing: without expedited processing, it typically takes 2 to 4 weeks for a non-resident application to clear. Expedited processing brings that down to a matter of days, which matters if you are waiting to invoice a client or open a bank account.
Opening a US bank account
Once you have your EIN, PowerLaunch can introduce you to Mercury, Wise Business, or Relay. Approval is always the bank's decision, not PowerLaunch's, and each bank has its own review process for foreign-owned companies. Having your formation documents and EIN ready in one place, which the MyCG.AI platform does automatically, tends to make this step smoother.
The US filings you need every year
Owning a foreign-owned US LLC comes with specific paperwork, separate from any Spanish tax return you file at home.
| Filing | What it is | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Form 5472 with a pro forma 1120 | Required for foreign-owned single-member LLCs, reports transactions between the LLC and its foreign owner | 15 April |
| State annual report | Keeps your company in good standing with the state | Varies by state, check the state's site |
| BOI reporting | Under the current 2026 interim FinCEN rule, US-formed companies are exempt | Not currently applicable |
Missing Form 5472 can bring steep penalties, so this is not one to leave until the last week. If you are on the Run or Scale plan, PowerLaunch handles the federal filing and the state report as part of the service.
Your Spanish tax position still matters
Forming a US company does not remove your obligations in Spain. As a Spanish tax resident, you generally still need to account for foreign company ownership and any income the company generates, and Spain has its own reporting rules for residents who own or control foreign entities. These rules can be detailed and can change, so this guide will not attempt to state specific thresholds or forms. Talk to a Spanish tax adviser or gestor who handles foreign company ownership before you file your next Spanish return, so your US company and your Spanish filings line up correctly.
How PowerLaunch fits in
PowerLaunch forms the US LLC or C-Corp, gets your EIN, and sets you up on the MyCG.AI platform, which is where your documents, transactions, and filings live in one place.
| Plan | Price | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| Launch | $295/yr | Formation, 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, licensed tax professional consultation, IRS tax filings including Form 5472, transaction tracking, Stripe invoicing, live financial reports, multiple bank connections, e-commerce analytics, monthly and quarterly closings |
| Scale | $2,995/yr or $329/mo | Everything in Run, plus expedited EIN, free dissolution, live call scheduling, dedicated bookkeeper |
State filing fees are charged at cost on every plan. Expedited EIN processing is a $295 add-on if you choose Launch or Run and do not want to wait the standard 2 to 4 weeks.
If PowerLaunch makes a formation error, it gets corrected at PowerLaunch's cost and that part of the fee is refunded. State fees themselves are never refundable, since they go straight to the state.
What to do next
If you are ready to form your US company, head to powerlaunch.solutions/signup and pick the plan that matches your stage, Launch to get started, Run if you want the annual filings handled for you, or Scale if you want a dedicated bookkeeper from day one.
If you still have questions about which state to pick, how the EIN timeline works for your situation, or how the US filings interact with your Spanish tax return, book a free 20-minute consultation on Google Meet at powerlaunch.solutions/book. You can also reach the team any time at contact@powerlaunch.solutions or through the site assistant.
