Can a foreigner make a LLC company in the U.S.? Which state?
437053
Of course foreign-owned corporations can register as an LLC in the United States. You would register in one state only. Currently Nevada has the most benefits to registering as an LLC.\n\nHowever, there is no real advantage to being registered as a U.S. LLC other than for appearances. Some might consider it underhand to pose as an actual US company and not as a foreign entity operating inside the US. Another thing to consider is that you will be liable to pay US Federal taxes.
216621
No, but you may need to file a qualification to do business in that jurisdiction.  For instance, in California, you can operate a business that is incorporated elsewhere (Delaware, for instance) but you have to file a qualification to do business with California.
454317
There are a lot of international laws that govern these things.  I would contact a bank that works internationally and an international business lawyer to help you get setup.\n\nGood luck with your venture
574260
Yes. You can have the same corporation name as another company in another state. But if the name is trademarked, then you can be sued by that other company.\n\nFrom the article "Incorporating With Same Company Name in Another State" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/guide/cases/jessiechrissie.htm , "In order to form a corporation, most states only require that the corporation's name be distinguishable (ie. different) from the names of other corporations and/or other business entities that are registered in the state of incorporation. \n\nOnce you have incorporated in your state, no other corporation could be formed in your state with the same name for as long as your corporation is in existence. However, this would not preclude someone from incorporating a business with the same name in another state. It can and certainly does happen, and I have personally come across many corporations (and limited liability companies) with identical names in various states in my work as an incorporation specialist. \n\nHowever, in instances where a name is trademarked it would not be entirely unheard of for a company to receive a notice to cease and desist from infringing on a trademark and, in effect, requiring the company to change its name. "
371402
The bottom line is that you will NOT be able to find a US investor who will help you start a company in Europe. That is just not going to happen, and you really shouldn't waste the next year of your life trying to find such a mythical person. But if you want to start a company closer to home, check out these two books:\n\nJohn May's "Every Business Needs an Angel" [first link] and Asheesh Advani's "Investors in your Backyard" [second link].
604934
Deleware for sure, over then 60% of fortune 500 companies are from there. It will cost you about a grand to start up your LLC company there\n\ngood luck
214844
if you operate your business in GA, then you most likely are considered a Foreign Corporation in GA and may have filing and tax requirements. You can do a tax free merger of your FL corp into a GA corp or leave it as is. \n\ncheck with a CPA in GA for ideas. If you plan to stay in GA i would look into the switch.
158794
An LLC is a "limited liability company".  Best idea is to consult an attorney in your area.  Many law firms will offer busines formation services as a package deal - one price for everything.  The benefit of using an attorney is that you can be confident that everything is formed correctly, and that you understand all the rules and regulations surrounding your new business enterprise.  Good luck.
144406
Many entrepreneurs begin with a sole proprietorship, which is to say that they begin by doing business as the single owner of an unincorporated company. As such, a sole proprietorship is not a registered legal entity that is separate from its owner and therefore cannot technically be "changed" or converted to a limited liability company or a corporation, for that matter.\n\nInstead the sole proprietorship would cease to exist, and you would form a new LLC to conduct business. The cost involved comes from the filing of formal paperwork, usually called articles of organization, and the filing fee ranges from $40 to $900, depending on the state.
109524
Managing a company that is based in one country from another country
685179
Look into organizing a limited liability company (LLC).  LLC's will protect your personal assets like a corporation, and you get taxed like a partnership (no double tax like corporations).  LLC's have less paperwork generally, but the owners (members) still need to abide by the Organization Agreement and Articles of Organization.\n\nA corporation is an option, and an IRS subchapter S election may be the way to go, and if so, will save you taxes.  And yes, the corporation will protect your personal assets so long as you observe the distinction between the corporation and yourself.\n\nAs you have noted, a partnership will expose you individually to the partnership's liabilities.\n\nThe botton line is that you need legal and tax advisors.  The information you get here are mere talking points that you can use for discussion with real professionals.  It will cost some money, but it is worth it because you will be laying the foundation for establishing your future tax and legal liabilities.  Make sure that your lawyer is licensed by the California Bar and that your accountant is a licensed CPA in California.
1066839
From an article I wrote "A Small Business Legal Checklist" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol15/asmall.htm :\n\nLegal requirements vary in each country, state, and municipality. \n\nHere is a general checklist of legal matters that you need to be concerned about for your small business. Remember, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Know what is important enough to cost you large sums of money if you don't pay attention to it. Depending on your type of business and your state and local requirements you may need to: \n\n1. Employer's Identification Number (EIN). Obtain an employer's ID number with Form SS-4, if you have employees, are a partnership or are incorporated. Sole proprietorships can also obtain and use a TIN instead of the owner's social security number on all business forms that ask for a "taxpayer identification number." If a business is not a corporation this identification or Social Security number will be needed before a bank account can be opened. \n\n2. Obtain a federal license if required by federal law. Employers must obtain licenses, which are renewable every two years, and also keep a log of hours worked and products made so inspectors can judge whether wage laws are being met. \n\n3. Legal form of your business. Incorporate, form a limited liability company, or file a statement of partnership if not a sole proprietorship \n\n4. If needed, obtain seller's permit - also known as Certificate of Authority or Resale Certificate. Get a resale tax certification or state sellers permit if the operation will involve purchasing items for resale. This exempts the business from paying sales tax on some of its purchases. \n\n5. Obtain any trademarks, copyrights, and patents as needed. Trademarks are words, names, illustrations, or a combination of these used to identify products or services to distinguish them from items of other firms. Check with the Trademark Register of the United States to avoid using trademarks already used. Copyrights, on the other hand, protect artistic creations, literary writings, graphic illustrations, musical scores, computer programs, and published materials such as newsletters. A patent provides a seventeen-year exclusive right to make, use and sell an invention in the United States. \n\n6. Obtain any required state licenses. Some special licenses are issued to a business that will provide products or services requiring special regulation. Special licenses are issued to professionals, such as doctors, lawyers, barbers and others who have met a certain level of training or education, or who engage in an occupation the government considers risky for some reason. \n\n7. Obtain occupational or health permits if required for your type of business.\n\n8. Acquire zoning approval, if necessary. Zoning ordinances regulate how property can be used. These ordinances are tools of both state and local governments to regulate the safety, structure and appearance of the community. If you are operating a home business, make sure that the zoning rules in your area allow the operation of your kind of business. \n\n9. Obtain a local business license. Many municipalities or states require a permit to conduct business. The fee is usually based on gross sales, but volume from most part-time ventures falls below the minimum tax level, so, at least initially, it won't be costly. \n\n10. Register your business name if using a name other than your own or a variation of your name. Check with the county clerk locally, and the secretary of state nationwide to determine if a certain name is legally clear.\n\nHere are some books you may want to check with regards to the legal documents of a small business:\n\n- Choosing a Legal Structure for Your Business (Run Your Own Business) http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0136033660/powerhomebizguid\n- 155 Legal Do's (and Don'ts) for the Small Business http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/047113161X/powerh
220434
It depends on a couple of things.  First if the company is incorporated in that other state then yes you can.  Second if the company is not incorporated in that state, but does business in that state then yes you can.  Lastly if the company is not incorporated and does not do business in that state then you can not.  Also it depends on the contract (if one was signed or agreed to).  If the contract says that it can only be filed in a certain state, then it must be filed in the state that is listed.
767590
I would organize the business as an LLC to protect your family's assets.  Register with the state (check their site for details).  Apply for an EIN (Employer ID Number) also called a Tax ID number.  If you do it by phone it's faster than by mail or fax.  Find out if you need a local or county business license.  I only needed a dba (doing business as) form to be filed in my county (but I operate my business from my home).  Then, apply for a Sales Tax ID number as you'll have to file regularly, usually quarterly, and notify the state of your sales tax collected.\n\nTo get a local business checking account, you need all of those forms along with your Driver's License and at least one other form of ID.  Many banks offer free business checking for small businesses.\n\nGood luck.  It's a lot of work, but well worth it.
335807
Depends on what state you are in- different states have different laws.  LLC is a really new concept.  Your state may not even allow them yet.\n\nThe major benefit of becoming a LLC is you avoid more personal liability than you do with a partnership.
349516
The LLC is designed to give you the best of both worlds: the limited liability of a corporation while retaining a level of tax simplicity that resembles a partnership.\n\nFeatures of the LLC\n\n- Limited Liability Status. The main attraction of an LLC is its limited liability status, a feature that it shares with corporations. The LLC limit your personal liability from business debts and damages incurred by the business. It basically lets you off the hook from legal liabilities such as court judgments and legal settlements obtained against the business.\n\n- Tax Benefits. Like sole proprietorships, partnerships, and S corporations, the business profits and losses of an LLC are taxed at individuals' income tax rates. You will avoid a corporation's double taxation, where taxes are reported at a separate business level.\n\n- Owners of the LLC. While owners of corporations are called stockholders, LLC owners are referred to as members. A member, who invests in the LLC and receive a percentage ownership interest in return, may be an individual or a separate legal entity such as a partnership or corporation. The percentage ownership is used to divide up the assets of the LLC when it is sold or liquidated, to split up profits and losses of the LLC or to divide up its voting rights. While an LLC can exist with one member, some states such as the District of Columbia and Massachusetts require LLCs to have two or more members.\n\n- Flexible Management Structure. An LLC can be run either by its members or a management group elected by the members. While many small businesses are managed by their own members, an LLC can easily adopt a management-run structure in the following situations: the members decide to employ outside management help; not all of the members want to run the LLC; or an outside investor wants to be given a vote in management.\n\n- Flexible Distribution of Profits and Losses. Similar to partnerships, dividing up profits among the LLC members is not restricted to the members' capital contributions. You may split up LLC profits and losses any way you wish, as long as it is provided for in the operating agreement.\n\nTo compare LLC with corporations, read these articles:\n\nLLCs vs. C Corporations http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol97/llcs.htm \nS Corp. vs. LLC: Which Structure is Right for Your Business http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol136/structure.htm \nChoosing Your Legal Structure http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol3/legalstructure.htm
372099
That depends on the products you're going to sell, and how.\n\nSome credit card processors, some affiliate programs, and some other online services you may wish to use, may require an address in the USA.\n\nBut from a technical standpoint, no, you don't need one.