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US LLC for Thai sellers: Amazon, Shopify, Stripe and more

Many sellers and freelancers in Thailand form a US limited liability company (LLC) to sell on Amazon US, open Stripe or a US business bank account, and look more established to US customers. You don't need to live in the US or have a US visa to own one.

What an LLC gives you

• A US company that can hold a US business bank account and payment accounts such as Stripe.
• An EIN — the company's US tax number — which banks and platforms ask for.
• A separation between the business and you personally (limited liability), as long as the company is run properly.

Choosing a state

You don't have to form it where you live. Wyoming, Delaware and New Mexico are popular with non-US owners because of low fees and simple yearly requirements. Wyoming has a small yearly report fee, Delaware charges a yearly LLC tax, and New Mexico has no annual report. Fees change — we confirm the current costs before filing.

What you need

• Your passport details and your address in Thailand.
• A company name that's available in the state, and a registered agent there — required by law.
• No SSN or ITIN is needed to form the LLC or to get its EIN.

Every year, don't forget

• The state's annual report or fee (depends on the state).
• Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 — filed with the IRS every year by most single-member LLCs owned by a non-US person, even with no income. The penalty for not filing starts at $25,000.
• Renewing your registered agent.

Rules on reporting who owns a company (beneficial ownership) changed recently for US-formed companies; we check the current requirements when you form yours.

Taxes

A single-member LLC owned by a non-US person is usually ignored ("disregarded") for US income tax, so whether you owe US tax depends on how and where the income is earned. Selling to US customers from Thailand is often not US-taxable, but it can be — for example with staff or an office in the US. Thai tax rules still apply to you as a Thai tax resident. Get advice for your own situation.

General information, not legal or tax advice.

More guides

• What is an ITIN, and do you need one?
• How to apply for an ITIN from Thailand
• Which documents do you need for an ITIN?
• Does an ITIN expire? How to renew it
• Form W-8BEN for Thai YouTubers, authors and investors
• How to get an EIN without an SSN (for non-US owners)
• Opening a US bank account from Thailand: your options
• Filing a US tax return (1040-NR) from Thailand
• Getting paid in US dollars in Thailand: bank transfer, Wise, Payoneer or PayPal

General information only — not tax or legal advice. TinTax is not affiliated with the IRS.