THE ULTIMATE 2025 GUIDE: SETUP LLC, GET EIN, OPEN BANKS AS EU NON-RESIDENT (LOW-BUDGET DIY)

[fardreamed]

*Posted by a long-time lurker. Updated for 2025.
Disclaimer: This is the scrappy/cheap way. Pay a service if you value time.*

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WHAT YOU NEED​

• EU Passport
• USA Phone Number (Get Google Voice , YT tutorials explain how)
• FAX Service that RECEIVES (e.g., Fax.Plus or eFax)
• Website (In my Opinion)
• Time (Mostly for IRS phone hell)

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STEP 1: PICK A STATE​

Wyoming, Delaware, New Mexico, or Florida. All have 0% tax on foreign income (why you’re here).

• Wyoming: Cheap ($102), anonymous (no public manager names).
• Florida: Public manager register (avoid if privacy critical).
• New Mexico/Delaware: Other options.
  I use Wyoming here.

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STEP 2: REGISTERED AGENT & FORM LLC​

YOU NEED A REGISTERED AGENT. PERIOD.

• They receive/scan docs. Some include name search/formation.
• Wyoming SOS Portal: https://sos.wyo.gov/business/startabusiness.aspx
• Name Your LLC: Use 3+ words (millions exist). Avoid restricted words:
  → Wyoming Naming Rules PDF
• Costs:
  
  • $102 (state fee)
  • $62 (yearly report)
  • Agent fee (~$50-$150/yr)

YOU GET:

• Articles of Organization
• Certificate of Organization
• Initial Resolutions

ADDRESS WARNING: Agent addresses are flagged "CMRA" (Commercial Mail Receiving Agency).

• Banks like WISE reject CMRA. Mercury doesn’t care.

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STEP 3: FILE BOI REPORT (FinCEN)​

Legal requirement since 2024 (non-public, but mandatory):

• Submit online: https://www.fincen.gov/boi
• Uncle Sam gets your passport/details. Nothing public.

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STEP 4: GET EIN (IRS)​

NO EIN = NO BANK ACCOUNT.

DOCUMENTS​

1. SS-4 Form: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fss4.pdf
   
   • HANDWRITE & SIGN (digital = rejection).
   • Key Fields:
     
     • 7b: "Foreign"
     • 9a: "Other - Foreign-owned U.S. disregarded entity"
     • 10: "Banking - Open US Business Banking Account"
     • 17: "International business services"
2. Scanned Passport (signed)
3. Scanned Articles of Organization (signed)

PROCESS​

1. FAX ALL DOCS to +1 855 641 6935 (IRS EIN line).
   
   • IRS Fax Details: https://www.irs.gov/filing/where-to-file-your-taxes-for-form-ss-4
2. WAIT 5 BUSINESS DAYS. Check your FAX.
3. NO EIN? CALL IRS: +1 (800) 829-4933
   
   • Call at 7 AM EST (15-20 min wait vs. 60+ mins later).
   • Press 1 (English) → listen for "applied for EIN and time passed" prompt.
   • SAY: "I applied for EIN as foreign owner, processing time passed. Status?"
   • NO SSN/ITIN? Say: "Foreign-owned, no SSN."
   • VERIFY SLOWLY:
     
     • Your name
     • LLC name
     • LLC address (agent’s), town, state, ZIP
       → One letter wrong = "not found"
   • FOUND? Demand FAX confirmation ON THE CALL. DON’T LET THEM HANG UP!

MY TIMING: Applied July 2025 → EIN in 7 days (5 business days).
Tax season = slower.

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STEP 5: OPEN BANK ACCOUNTS​

DO THIS FIRST (while you wait for your EIN):

• Build Online Presence (Banks WILL Google your LLC):
  
  • Get a domain/website (Terms + Privacy Policy + Imprint).
  • Use business email (e.g., [email protected]).
  • List LLC on:
    
    • Crunchbase
    • Hotfrog
    • Tupalo
    • Trustpilot
    • Yellow Pages
      
  • Google Maps? Only if "service-based" (no video verification).
• WAIT 3-5 DAYS after EIN (banks like Revolut reject if EIN not in their system).

BANKS TO TRY​

1. Mercury (CMRA-friendly, easiest)
2. Brex (high limits)
3. Airwallex (multi-currency)
4. Revolut (IBAN + card)
5. Wise (IBAN + card , sometimes blocks CMRA, but try)

CARDS: All ship to EU (non-restricted countries).

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TIMELINE & COSTS​

• Cost: ~$250-$400 (state + agent + fax)
• Time: 22 days (my July 2025 timeline)
• My Biz: "B2B Transactions, Consulting, Online Marketing"

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FINAL WORDS​

Dont forget to file yearly with the IRS!
Critical Reminder: Failure to file Form 5472 (even for $0 income) triggers massive IRS penalties.
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f5472.pdf
State Annual Report > 1st day of formation month > $60 (Wyoming) File Online Penalty = Dissolution
https://wyobiz.wyo.gov/Business/AnnualReport.aspx

About me, so you get the use case: EU citizen/resident, clean record. This worked. Thanks to this forum and my dad for not wearing a rubber.

ASK BELOW , I’LL ANSWER WHAT I CAN.

 

[aniglo22]

You don't have to file the BOI, as enforcement has been suspended since March 2nd.
Don't file the Articles of Organization yourself, as you will appear as the organizer.
Let your Registered Agent file instead.

 

[fardreamed]

You don't have to file the BOI, as enforcement has been suspended since March 2nd.

I thought my information was up-to-date. Well, better safe than sorry. Maybe they will start "enforcing," so that needs to be done at some point. Eventually.

Don't file the Articles of Organization yourself, as you will appear as the organizer.
Let your Registered Agent file instead.

Yes, absolutely. That's quite critical if you care about anonymity.

 

[aniglo22]

I thought my information was up-to-date. Well, better safe than sorry. Maybe they will start "enforcing," so that needs to be done at some point. Eventually.


Yes, absolutely. That's quite critical if you care about anonymity.

Don't think the Trump administration will enforce the CTA.
Very unlikely

 

[Clank]

BOI report is no longer necessary for domestic companies.