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Frequently Asked Questions

Short, clear answers about formation, EIN, payment, the portal and annual requirements.

General

Can I form a company without living in the U.S.?

Yes. People who are not U.S. citizens or who don’t have an SSN can form an LLC or corporation, obtain an EIN and run the company remotely. Our packages cover your registered agent and U.S. business address needs.

How long does formation take?

Standard processing usually takes 1–15 business days. Timing depends on the state’s workload, public holidays, the IRS calendar and government approval times. Some states offer expedited processing for an additional fee. Approvals can take longer during tax season and holidays, so we recommend applying ahead of those periods when possible.

Do I need a consultation call?

No. You can start online 24/7; every step is designed to guide you. If you’re unsure, take the “Which company fits me?” quiz or message our team.

Which documents do I need?

To form a company you’ll need: a passport or ID, a proof-of-address document, your preferred company name, your phone and email, a description of the business and, if any, partner/member details. Complete documents keep the process moving faster.

How quickly does your team respond?

We usually reply within 1–3 business days, and urgent requests are prioritized. IRS correspondence is shared by email and in your client portal. Nothing can be processed outside IRS and government working hours, and tax season and holidays can affect timing.

Pricing & Payment

What is the total cost?

The total has three parts: your package’s service fee, the state filing fee and any add-ons you choose. Listed prices are starting prices; state fees, workload and additional requirements can change the amount. Every item is shown separately in your order summary before you pay.

Why are state fees shown separately?

The state fee is the official fee paid directly to the state and varies by state. For transparency we show it separately from our service fee and pass it through at cost. Some states also charge annual report fees, franchise tax or renewal fees.

Which payment methods do you accept?

You can pay by credit or debit card through a secure payment link, by bank transfer or by Zelle. Your card details are never shared with us. Payment is required up front for all services; your filing starts once payment is confirmed.

What is your refund and cancellation policy?

Once your filing has started, government fees, IRS processing fees and completed service fees are non-refundable. Fees may change if documents are missing or you withdraw from the process. Requests for work not yet filed are reviewed case by case. See our Refund & Cancellation Policy for details.

What isn’t included in the formation package?

The following are not part of the standard formation package and are quoted separately: ITIN applications, trademark registration, company transfers and ownership changes, payroll setup and management, sales tax registrations, Amazon / Stripe / PayPal verification, bank compliance documentation, custom accounting reports, tax penalty resolution and IRS audit support.

Formation

Should I form an LLC or a corporation?

An LLC is flexible and easy to run — common for e-commerce, consulting and small businesses. A corporation is the standard for startups that plan to issue shares and raise investment. The right choice depends on your personal tax and legal situation; our “Which company fits me?” quiz helps you weigh the options.

Which state should I choose?

Where you operate, annual report and franchise tax costs (not just the filing fee) and your investor plans all matter. Compare fees, annual requirements and processing times for all 50 states + DC on our States page.

Do I need a company address?

Yes. You need an address for the state’s records. Some states let you use the registered agent’s address, while some filings ask for additional address details. If you don’t have a U.S. address, you can add our virtual business address service.

Why do I need a registered agent?

A registered agent is the official representative every state requires to receive legal documents on your company’s behalf. In many states the service must continue without interruption for the company to stay in good standing. Professional and Premier include one year of registered agent service; incoming mail is scanned to your portal.

Is an operating agreement required?

While not legally required in many states, an operating agreement is the core document recording ownership, management and profit sharing. Banks and payment platforms often ask for it. It’s included in Professional and Premier.

What if my preferred name isn’t available?

We collect 2–3 name choices. If your first choice isn’t available, we continue with the next and let you know. State registries don’t accept Turkish characters, so your name is filed in English characters.

EIN

How long does an EIN take?

If the owner has a valid SSN, the EIN is often issued the same day after state approval. Without an SSN, it takes about 4–6 weeks depending on IRS workload, and up to 8 weeks in busy periods. Tax season and public holidays can affect these times.

What is an EIN and does it cost anything?

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your company’s federal tax ID, needed for bank accounts, payment platforms and taxes. The IRS issues EINs free of charge; our fee covers preparing, submitting and tracking the application.

Can I get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN?

Yes. Without an SSN or ITIN, the IRS online system can’t be used; the application is filed with Form SS-4 and may be subject to additional processing and review. We handle the whole process for you and share every step in your portal.

Non-Residents

Can I form a company without an SSN?

Yes. People who aren’t U.S. citizens or don’t have an SSN can still form an LLC. The EIN application just takes longer than for SSN holders (about 4–6 weeks).

Do I need an ITIN?

You don’t need an ITIN to form a company. You may need one to file a personal U.S. tax return or for some banking and financial transactions. ITIN applications aren’t part of the standard formation package; we offer them as a separate service.

Do I have to open a bank account?

It isn’t mandatory, but opening a business bank account is recommended to run the company properly and keep accurate financial records. Account opening follows each bank’s own procedures; some banks may ask for additional address verification, SSN / ITIN details, proof of business activity, a website or invoices. Approval is entirely at the bank’s discretion.

Do I have to file taxes?

Yes. Most U.S. companies — active or inactive — have annual tax and reporting obligations; for example, foreign-owned single-member LLCs file Form 5472 with a pro forma 1120 every year. Not filing can lead to penalties, interest and the company falling out of good standing. Our accounting and tax team plans your obligations around your structure.

Will I have tax obligations in Türkiye too?

It depends on your tax residency in Türkiye and the company’s activities. The U.S. and Türkiye have a double taxation treaty. For your obligations in Türkiye, please consult a Turkish tax advisor.

Accounting & Tax

Do I need accounting services?

Keeping regular track of your company’s income, expenses and taxes matters in the U.S. Setting up your accounting correctly from the start prevents tax and reporting problems later. We help with monthly bookkeeping, QuickBooks setup and annual return preparation.

How is consulting billed?

Our bookkeeping packages include a standard amount of support. Phone calls exceeding 1 hour in total per month, out-of-scope advisory requests, custom financial analysis and additional support are billed at $100 per hour. Planned calls are scheduled in advance by appointment.

Do you support me after formation?

Yes. After formation we provide document guidance, tax-season reminders, accounting setup guidance, QuickBooks onboarding and process advice. The scope depends on the package you choose.

Client Portal

How do I send my documents?

Instead of WhatsApp or email, you upload documents to the encrypted vault in your client portal. ID documents, address details, financial data and company records are used only for official filings.

How do I track my application?

Your portal shows which stage your application is in, whether anything is needed from you and the documents that are ready. We notify you by email and in-app at every step. After government approval, your company documents are delivered digitally.

Is my information secure?

Your documents and ID numbers are stored encrypted with AES-256, and you can protect your account with two-step verification. Client information is never shared with third parties and is used only for the necessary government filings.

How do I create my account?

Your account is created in step two of the application or by signing up in our mobile app — your email becomes your login. You can save your application and continue any time.

Annual Compliance

What is an annual report?

An annual report is the yearly information update a company files so it stays active in the state’s records; it’s different from a tax return. Some states also charge franchise tax or annual renewal fees. The compliance calendar in your portal tracks your date automatically.

What happens if I miss annual requirements?

If annual reports, franchise tax, registered agent renewals and other filings aren’t completed on time, you can face late penalties, interest, loss of good standing and even administrative dissolution by the state. Your portal reminds you of upcoming dates by email and notifications.

Do I need to file a BOI report?

Under FinCEN’s current rule, companies formed in the U.S. (domestic companies) are exempt from BOI reporting. The obligation remains only for certain companies formed abroad and registered to do business in the U.S. If you’re unsure, we can review it with a “BOI requirement check”.

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  • AES-256
  • Turkish & English
  • Stripe
  • 50 + DC