How To Form A US LLC With Business Anywhere : The Complete, Step-By-Step Guide
By JoshWP Team | Updated: | ~26 min read | LLC Formation Step-By-Step Guide
Quick Answer
Forming a US LLC with Business Anywhere (BusinessAnywhere.io, headquartered in Cheyenne, Wyoming) takes roughly 10–15 minutes of data entry, followed by 10–14 business days of state processing (or 2–5 days with paid expediting). Formation itself is $0 plus your state’s filing fee ($50–$500 depending on the state), with a full year of registered agent service included free — renewing at $147/year afterward. You’ll need: a company name, a formation state, member/owner details, a business address (the included registered agent address works if you don’t have a US one), and a plan for your EIN ($97 if you want Business Anywhere to file it).
This guide walks through the actual signup flow screen by screen, then covers what most non-US founders need immediately afterward — a notarized virtual mailbox, US business banking through Payoneer or Wise, and a US phone number for verification steps — plus an honest look at the tax service, Digital Nomad Kit, and dissolution service Business Anywhere also offers.
If you don’t live in the US, forming a US LLC comes with a specific set of problems most guides skip over: you need a US address, a way to receive mail, and someone to notarize a form you can’t easily get notarized from abroad.
Business Anywhere was built specifically to solve that combination — bundling formation, a registered agent, a virtual mailbox, and an online notary into one dashboard, aimed squarely at remote and non-US founders.
This guide walks through the actual signup flow, every fee involved, and what to do immediately after your LLC is approved: getting your EIN, opening business banking, and setting up a US phone number.
Table of Contents
- 1. What Is Business Anywhere?
- 2. What You’ll Need Before You Start
- 3. Why Form An LLC In The First Place?
- 4. Choosing Your Formation State: Wyoming vs Delaware vs Home State
- 5. LLC vs S-Corp vs C-Corp: Which Should You Choose?
- 6. Step-By-Step: The Full Signup Walkthrough
- 7. Full Pricing Breakdown
- 8. How The EIN Process Actually Works
- 9. Virtual Mailbox & Notarization Setup
- 10. Tax Service & The Digital Nomad Kit
- 11. Company Dissolution Service
- 12. Ongoing Annual Compliance Requirements
- 13. Setting Up US Business Banking
- 14. Getting A US Phone Number For Verification
- 15. Timeline: What Happens After You File
- 16. Business Anywhere By The Numbers
- 17. Reputation Check: Trustpilot, BBB & Real Feedback
- 18. Pros and Cons
- 19. Business Anywhere vs Alternatives
- 20. Common Mistakes To Avoid
- 21. Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Business Anywhere?
Business Anywhere (BusinessAnywhere.io) is an LLC and corporation formation platform headquartered in Cheyenne, Wyoming. It handles state filing, then keeps you compliant afterward with a registered agent, virtual mailbox, and online notary — all from a single dashboard.
Its core differentiator is being built specifically for remote operation: real support for non-US founders, a mailbox system for physical mail, and online notarization for the one step (Form 1583) that usually requires an in-person visit.
We cover the company in far more depth — including independent review scores and a full pros/cons breakdown — in our complete Business Anywhere review. This guide focuses purely on the formation process itself.
The Business Anywhere homepage — where you’ll start the formation process.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
Have these ready and the whole signup takes 10–15 minutes instead of stalling partway through.
- A company name (plus a backup or two, in case of a naming conflict in your state)
- A formation state — Wyoming and Delaware are common default picks for non-US founders
- Member/owner information — full legal names and addresses for everyone with ownership
- A business address — the included registered agent address works if you don’t have a US office
- A plan for your EIN — Business Anywhere can file it for you ($97), or you can apply directly and for free with the IRS
- A payment method for your state filing fee and any add-ons you choose
- An Operating Agreement — not always legally required to file, but strongly recommended for every LLC with more than one member, and often requested by banks before they’ll open an account
- A government-issued ID — needed later if you order the notarized virtual mailbox (Form 1583 requires ID verification)
The Legal Baseline, In Plain English
Every US state requires the same core documents to legally form an LLC: Articles of Organization (the formation document itself), a registered agent with a physical in-state address, and — in most states — an annual or biennial report to stay in good standing. Business Anywhere’s packages are built around filing the first item and providing the second; the third (ongoing compliance) is covered later in this guide.
If You’re Not A US Resident
This is where Business Anywhere is specifically strong — you don’t need an SSN, US address, or US visit to complete formation. For the deeper mechanics of this specific scenario, see our guide on how to form an LLC as a non-US resident, and our roundup of the best LLC formation services for non-US residents.
Why Form An LLC In The First Place?
🛡️ Liability Protection
An LLC separates your personal assets from business debts and legal claims.
💰 Business Banking & Payment Processing
Many banks and payment processors require a formal US entity before opening an account.
📺 Monetization Requirements
Some creators form an LLC specifically to formalize ad revenue — see our guide on forming an LLC for a YouTube channel and Google AdSense.
📊 Structuring Multiple Revenue Streams
Publishers managing several properties sometimes use a single entity structure — related is our guide on opening multiple AdSense accounts.
Choosing Your Formation State: Wyoming vs Delaware vs Home State
This is the single decision with the biggest long-term cost and privacy impact, and it’s worth getting right before you hit “submit.”
Wyoming
- No state income tax
- Strong member privacy — names often don’t appear on public record
- Low, flat annual report fee (typically $60)
- Popular default for non-US founders and digital nomads
Delaware
- Well-established business court system (Court of Chancery)
- Preferred by investors if you plan to raise venture capital
- Annual franchise tax can exceed Wyoming’s flat fee, depending on structure
- Common default for C-Corps specifically, less necessary for a simple LLC
Your Home State
- Avoids “foreign LLC” registration fees you’d otherwise owe if you operate where you live but formed elsewhere
- Usually the right call if you’re US-based and operating locally
- Not applicable if you don’t have a US home state at all
The “Foreign LLC” Trap
If you’re US-based and physically operate your business in, say, Texas, but form your LLC in Wyoming purely for the tax reputation, Texas can still require you to register as a “foreign LLC” there — meaning you pay filing fees in both states. This trap doesn’t apply to most non-US founders, since they typically have no US home state to conflict with.
LLC vs S-Corp vs C-Corp: Which Should You Choose?
| Structure | Taxation | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| LLC (default) | Pass-through — profits taxed once, on your personal return | Most freelancers, consultants, small e-commerce, and single-owner businesses |
| LLC taxed as S-Corp | Pass-through, but can reduce self-employment tax on part of your income | Profitable LLCs (often $60,000+ net income) where the payroll/admin overhead is worth the tax savings |
| C-Corp | Corporate tax, then dividend tax if profits are distributed (“double taxation”) | Startups planning to raise venture capital or issue stock options |
For the vast majority of non-US founders and solo operators, a standard LLC is the simplest, cheapest, and most flexible starting point. The S-Corp election (available as a $97 add-on through Business Anywhere) is worth revisiting once your business is consistently profitable — it’s rarely useful in year one.
Step-By-Step: The Full Signup Walkthrough
Here’s the actual flow, from account creation to submitting your order.
Create Your Account
Enter your basic details to get started — this takes under a minute.
Step 1 — Creating your account.
Choose Your Business Type & State
Select LLC, S-Corp, or C-Corp, and pick your formation state — Wyoming or Delaware for most non-US founders.
Step 2 — Choosing your entity type and formation state.
Enter Company & Member Details
Your company name and the legal names/addresses of every member or owner — required for your Articles of Organization.
Review Checkout & Select Add-Ons
Your package, state fee, and any add-ons (EIN, notarization, expedited filing) are itemized here — review carefully before paying.
Step 4 — Checkout, with packages and state fees itemized upfront.
Review Add-On Upsells
You’ll be offered several optional extras here — none are required to complete formation, so only accept what you’ll actually use.
Step 5 — Optional add-ons presented during checkout.
Submit Payment & File
Business Anywhere files your Articles of Organization with the state. Standard processing is 10–14 business days, with paid expediting available.
One Honest Friction Point
Several independent reviewers note you move through a few onboarding steps before seeing complete pricing — mildly frustrating if you just want a quick quote, though the fee pages themselves are transparent once you reach them.
Full Pricing Breakdown
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| LLC / Corporation formation | $0 + state filing fee ($50–$500, varies by state) |
| Registered agent (Year 1) | Free with formation |
| Registered agent (Year 2+) | $147/year |
| EIN application | $97 |
| Online notarization (e.g., USPS Form 1583) | $37 per document |
| BOIR filing | $37 |
| S-Corp tax election | $97 |
| Expedited filing (5-day) | $57 |
| Expedited filing (2-day) | $77 |
| Virtual mailbox (entry plan) | From $20/month (billed annually) |
| Virtual mailbox (up to 20 recipients, global forwarding) | Up to $65/month |
Pricing reflects publicly listed rates at time of writing and may change — confirm current pricing at checkout.
Budgeting Tip
The advertised “$0 formation” is real, but most people end up paying for at least an EIN ($97) and eventually the $147/year registered agent renewal. Budget for those two even if you skip everything else.
How The EIN Process Actually Works
Your EIN (Employer Identification Number) is the business equivalent of an SSN — you’ll need it to open a bank account, file taxes, and hire anyone. Here’s what actually happens behind the scenes.
- The IRS requires Form SS-4 to issue an EIN, either submitted online, by fax, or by mail
- If you have an SSN or ITIN, the IRS online tool can often issue an EIN the same day
- Without an SSN or ITIN, you can’t use the online tool — the application must go in by fax or mail, which typically takes 4–8 weeks processed directly with the IRS
- Business Anywhere’s $97 EIN service acts as your third-party designee, submitting the application on your behalf and following up with the IRS so you don’t have to navigate this without an SSN yourself
Is The $97 Worth It?
If you have an SSN or ITIN, you can realistically do this yourself for free directly at irs.gov in under 15 minutes. If you don’t, the $97 fee buys you a meaningfully smoother process and someone to follow up with the IRS if anything stalls — often worth it purely for the time saved.
Virtual Mailbox & Notarization Setup
Once your LLC is filed, most non-US founders immediately need a way to receive physical mail — bank correspondence, state notices, IRS letters — without a US address of their own.
- Physical mail gets scanned and uploaded to your dashboard — view, forward, store, or shred it remotely
- Plans start at $20/month (billed annually), scaling to $65/month for up to 20 recipients with global forwarding
- Activation requires a notarized USPS Form 1583 — Business Anywhere’s built-in online notary removes the usual bottleneck of finding a notary from outside the US
Tax Service & The Digital Nomad Kit
Beyond basic formation, Business Anywhere offers a bundled Digital Nomad Kit for remote workers who want entity structure, tax strategy, and compliance handled together.
The tax service offering — note that filings aren’t included; it connects you with specialist accountants instead.
- Reviews and, if needed, rebuilds your existing entity structure
- Connects you with accountants specializing in nomad/expat tax situations
- Does not include actual tax filing — that’s handled by the connected accountants separately
The Digital Nomad Kit landing page.
A Claim Worth Treating Skeptically
Marketing for the Digital Nomad Kit claims clients “save $10,000 to $75,000+ per year in taxes.” Tax outcomes depend entirely on your personal situation — treat this as a marketing claim, not a guarantee, and get independent tax advice first.
Company Dissolution Service
If you ever need to formally close your LLC, Business Anywhere also offers a dissolution service — filing the paperwork to legally wind the entity down, so you’re not stuck paying registered agent or compliance fees on a business you no longer operate.
The company dissolution service page.
It’s easy to find providers happy to form your LLC — far fewer make it just as easy to properly close it down when you’re done.
Ongoing Annual Compliance Requirements
Forming your LLC is the beginning, not the end, of your compliance obligations. Missing these can put your LLC into administrative dissolution — meaning the state cancels it without you necessarily noticing right away.
📅 Annual/Biennial Report
Most states require a recurring filing confirming your business details are still accurate, with its own fee (often $50–$300, separate from your registered agent renewal).
🏛️ Registered Agent Renewal
$147/year through Business Anywhere after your free first year — required continuously, not optional.
📋 BOI Reporting (Corporate Transparency Act)
Beneficial Ownership Information reporting requires disclosing who owns/controls the LLC to FinCEN. Business Anywhere’s BOIR filing service handles this for $37.
💵 Federal & State Tax Filings
Even a dormant LLC with no income can trigger filing obligations, particularly Form 5472 + a pro-forma 1120 for foreign-owned single-member LLCs — this is where the tax service add-on connects you to specialist accountants.
The Requirement Most People Forget
Foreign-owned single-member LLCs with no other US tax filing requirement still generally must file Form 5472 annually, even with zero activity. Penalties for missing this can be substantial (historically $25,000 minimum) — don’t assume “no income” means “no filing.”
Setting Up US Business Banking
Once your LLC and EIN are approved, you’ll need somewhere to actually receive and hold business money. Business Anywhere includes banking assistance via partners, but two of the most practical options to open yourself are Payoneer and Wise.
Payoneer
Strong pick if you’ll be paid through marketplaces like Amazon, Upwork, or Fiverr, since it integrates directly with them.
Read the full Payoneer account setup guide →Wise
Strong pick if you’ll be invoicing clients directly and want the lowest-cost currency conversion available.
Read the full Wise account setup guide →Getting A US Phone Number For Verification
Banking sign-up, EIN follow-ups, and some marketplace verifications often go more smoothly with a US phone number — something non-US founders usually don’t have.
Receive-SMS.com offers low-cost US numbers for exactly these verification steps, without needing a physical SIM or carrier plan.
🎟️ Discount Code
Use code JOSHWP at checkout for a discount on your Receive-SMS.com purchase.
Timeline: What Happens After You File
- Day 0: You submit your order; dashboard access is immediate
- Days 1–2: Business Anywhere reviews and submits your filing to the state
- Days 10–14: Standard state approval (2–5 days if you paid for expediting)
- After approval: EIN processing (if ordered), then mailbox activation, banking, and any licenses
Business Anywhere By The Numbers
Add-On Cost Breakdown ($)
Estimated First-Year Total Cost By Scenario
Year-Two Registered Agent Renewal: Business Anywhere vs Competitors ($)
Illustrative figures based on publicly listed competitor pricing — always confirm current rates directly with each provider.
First-Year Compliance Timeline (Days After Filing)
Illustrative timeline for a typical foreign-owned single-member LLC — actual deadlines vary by state and entity specifics.
Feature Comparison: Business Anywhere vs Common Alternatives
Editorial scoring (0–10) based on researched features, not an official benchmark from any provider.
Reputation Check: Trustpilot, BBB & Real Feedback
Business Anywhere holds an “Excellent” Trustpilot rating from 170+ reviews — a strong showing for a company of its size, though the review volume is modest compared to larger, older competitors.
Reviewers repeatedly praise fast, friendly service, with several naming specific support representatives who helped with notarization and mailbox setup specifically.
Paraphrased from public Trustpilot reviews
The most consistent critique is that pricing isn’t fully visible until partway through onboarding, and that add-on costs across EIN, mailbox, and notary services accumulate faster than the “$0 formation” headline suggests.
Paraphrased from independent review roundups
Independent third-party review scores for Business Anywhere have ranged from roughly 7.5/10 to 9/10 across different review sites — generally landing in “strong, with minor friction points” territory rather than either extreme.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Genuine $0 + state-fee formation, with transparent add-on pricing
- Built specifically for remote/non-US founders
- Virtual mailbox with built-in online notary for Form 1583
- Rare dissolution service for properly closing an entity
- Strong “Excellent” Trustpilot rating
Cons
- Have to move through onboarding before seeing full pricing
- Add-on costs (EIN, mailbox, notary) accumulate quickly
- $147/year registered agent renewal is pricier than Nothwest’s $125
- Digital Nomad Kit tax-savings marketing claims should be treated cautiously
Business Anywhere vs Alternatives
| Service | Formation Cost | RA Renewal (Yr 2+) | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Anywhere | $0 + state fees | $147/year | Virtual mailbox + built-in online notary |
| Bizee | $0 + state fees | ~$119–$149/year | Lowest-cost long-term registered agent |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $0–$39 + state fees | ~$125/year | Strong privacy protection, no upselling |
| Doola | $297/year | Included in plan | EIN without SSN + bookkeeping bundle |
Pricing shifts frequently across this category — confirm current rates directly on each provider’s site.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Skipping the EIN entirely — you’ll need it for banking, so plan for either Business Anywhere filing it or doing it yourself with the IRS
- Forgetting the year-two renewal — budget for the $147/year registered agent fee before it surprises you
- Delaying the virtual mailbox notarization — this is the step most non-US founders get stuck on if they try to handle it independently
- Taking Digital Nomad Kit tax-savings claims at face value — get independent tax advice for anything specific to your situation
- Delaying business banking — set this up as soon as your EIN is approved
Frequently Asked Questions
Is forming an LLC with Business Anywhere really free?
Formation itself is $0, but you still pay your state’s filing fee ($50–$500). Most users also end up paying for an EIN ($97) and the registered agent renewal ($147/year starting in year two).
Can non-US residents form an LLC with Business Anywhere?
Yes — this is one of its core use cases. Non-US founders can form an LLC without an SSN or US visit, using the registered agent and virtual mailbox for a compliant US address, plus partner-assisted banking setup.
How long does formation take?
Standard processing is 10–14 business days. Expedited options are available for $57 (5-day) or $77 (2-day).
What does the virtual mailbox include, and how do I activate it?
Plans start at $20/month and scale to $65/month for up to 20 recipients with global forwarding, including unlimited mail scanning and storage. Activation requires a notarized USPS Form 1583, which Business Anywhere’s built-in online notary service handles for $37.
What should I do right after my LLC is approved?
Confirm your EIN, activate and notarize your virtual mailbox if you ordered one, set up business banking (Payoneer or Wise both work well for non-US founders), and get a US phone number if needed for verification steps.
How does Business Anywhere compare to Bizee or Doola?
Bizee is cheaper long-term for the registered agent renewal but lacks the built-in mailbox and notary. Doola focuses on EIN-without-SSN plus bookkeeping, at a higher annual cost. Business Anywhere sits in between, with the mailbox and notary as its clearest differentiator.
Should I form my LLC in Wyoming, Delaware, or my home state?
Wyoming is the common default for non-US founders due to no state income tax, strong privacy, and a low flat annual fee. Delaware is more relevant if you plan to raise venture capital. If you’re US-based and operating in your home state, forming there usually avoids paying “foreign LLC” registration fees in two states at once.
Should I choose an LLC, S-Corp, or C-Corp?
A standard LLC is the simplest and most common choice for freelancers, consultants, and small e-commerce businesses. The S-Corp election can reduce self-employment tax once you’re consistently profitable (often above $60,000 in net income), while a C-Corp mainly makes sense if you’re planning to raise venture capital.
Do I still need to file anything if my LLC has no income?
Often yes. Foreign-owned single-member LLCs generally must file Form 5472 plus a pro-forma 1120 annually even with zero activity, and most states still require an annual or biennial report. Skipping these can lead to significant penalties or administrative dissolution of your LLC.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links for Business Anywhere, Payoneer, Wise, and Receive-SMS.com. If you sign up through these links we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Figures on pricing and processing times reflect publicly available information at the time of writing and may change — always confirm current details on businessanywhere.io before purchasing, and consult a qualified legal or tax professional for advice specific to your situation.
