Zuupr
Back to all countries

How to start a company in United States

The United States offers fast, low-cost company formation with strong legal protections. Most small businesses incorporate in Delaware, Wyoming, or their home state.

Formation time
1–7 business days
Typical cost
USD 50–500 (state filing fees + registered agent)
Currency
USD

Legal structures

Limited Liability Company
LLC
Most popular structure for small businesses — flexible, pass-through taxation, limited liability.
Min. capital
No minimum
Liability
Limited
C Corporation
C-Corp
Preferred by VC-backed startups — separate legal entity, can issue multiple share classes.
Min. capital
No minimum
Liability
Limited
S Corporation
S-Corp
Pass-through taxation with payroll benefits — restrictions on ownership (max 100 US shareholders).
Min. capital
No minimum
Liability
Limited
Sole Proprietorship
Sole Prop
Simplest form — no legal separation between owner and business. No liability protection.
Min. capital
No minimum
Liability
Unlimited

Formation steps

  1. 1

    Choose a state of incorporation

    Same day

    Delaware and Wyoming are popular for favorable legal frameworks; your home state is often simpler.

  2. 2

    Pick and reserve a company name

    Same day

    Check availability on the Secretary of State website. Names must include a structure suffix (LLC, Inc.).

  3. 3

    Appoint a registered agent

    1 day

    Every state requires a registered agent with a physical address in that state.

  4. 4

    File formation documents

    1–5 business days

    Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (Corp) filed with the Secretary of State.

  5. 5

    Get an EIN from the IRS

    Same day online

    Federal tax ID — required to open a bank account and hire employees. Free online if you have an SSN/ITIN.

  6. 6

    Open a business bank account

    1–3 business days

    Keep personal and business finances separate — required to preserve liability protection.

Required documents

  • Articles of Organization / Incorporation
  • Operating Agreement (LLC) or Bylaws (Corp)
  • EIN confirmation letter from the IRS
  • Registered agent designation
  • State business license (varies by state and industry)

Tax basics

Corporate tax rate
21% federal (C-Corp); LLC/S-Corp pass through to owners
VAT / sales tax
Varies by state (0% – 10%+); no federal VAT
Registration threshold
Varies by state — many require registration once you have 'economic nexus' (e.g. $100K revenue or 200 transactions)
Reporting cadence
Federal: annual; state sales tax: monthly or quarterly depending on volume

Common pitfalls

Not keeping personal and business finances separate — this can pierce the corporate veil and eliminate liability protection.

Forgetting annual state filings and franchise taxes — Delaware's minimum franchise tax is USD 300/year.

Choosing C-Corp when an LLC would suffice — C-Corps face double taxation (corporate + dividend).

Missing multi-state sales tax obligations — 'economic nexus' rules trigger collection duties in many states even without a physical presence.

Ready to start invoicing?

Once your company is registered, Zuupr handles invoicing, payments, and business intelligence — all in one place.

Last reviewed 2026-04-05. This guide is for information only and is not legal or tax advice. Verify specifics with a local professional before acting.