U.S. Domestic LLC

Specialist jurisdiction

Offshore Companies · U.S. Domestic LLC

United States jurisdiction background
North America United States
Latitude 00.0000° N
Longitude 000.0000° W
Written and reviewed by John Evans Connor Steens
Updated

Governing law

Wyoming Limited Liability Company Act

Entity type

Domestic Limited Liability Company (LLC)

State tax

No state income tax; a $60 annual state fee

Privacy

Member names not required on the public formation filing

Formation time

1–2 days from KYC clearance

Important limitation

A domestic US entity stays within the US court system — no offshore jurisdictional firewall

General summary only. A Wyoming LLC is a real domestic US vehicle — solid charging-order protection, genuine privacy, and no state tax at all. What it is not is offshore: it answers to US federal law and to full faith and credit among the states. The right fit depends on the client, the assets and the goals.

Standalone LLC

Wyoming LLC

$1,500

first-year fees all included · 1–2 days

A Wyoming LLC on its own — quick to set up, inexpensive, domestically based, with the exclusive charging-order remedy and solid state-level privacy.

Articles of Organization and Operating Agreement
Wyoming state filing fee
First-year Wyoming registered agent
EIN application assistance
Get started
Total Protection Package

Trust + Company + Banking

$12,000

first-year fees all included · formation timeline coordinated throughout

The whole structure. A trust in the Cook Islands or Nevis, a company (LLC or IBC) in either, and a bank account — the toughest asset protection line-up we offer, resting on our two core jurisdictions.

Cook Islands or Nevis Trust — registered and operational in full
Cook Islands or Nevis Company (LLC or IBC) — registered and operational in full
Every trust and company formation document
All government fees plus first-year trustee and agent costs
An offshore bank account at whichever partner institution you prefer
Book a consultation
Company structure

The mechanics of a Wyoming LLC

A Wyoming LLC is owned by one or more members, who may run the company themselves or appoint a manager.

Wyoming enacted the first LLC statute in the United States in 1977 and has refined it steadily ever since. The Articles of Organization are lodged with the Wyoming Secretary of State, and the Operating Agreement — a private document, not publicly filed — sets out the membership interests, management authority and distribution rules.

There is no bar on a non-US resident forming and owning a Wyoming LLC. What you will need for tax purposes is an ITIN or an EIN, and sorting that out is part of the formation work we handle.

  • Members: own the LLC and hold its economic and voting rights.
  • Manager: runs the day-to-day, whether that is a member or an outside appointee.
  • Registered agent: keeps the LLC's Wyoming registered address and receives official correspondence.
  • Operating Agreement: a confidential document laying down the governance and distribution rules.

We coordinate the formation, the EIN application and the banking introductions.

Discuss your structure

Direct Wyoming registered agent relationships

Ours are direct, licensed Wyoming registered agent relationships — no referral middleman — handled by the same team that builds Cook Islands and Nevis structures in 20+ jurisdictions.

First-hand US formation knowledge

Form 5472, EIN applications and fintech banking for non-resident owners are all familiar ground for our US structuring specialists.

Fixed-fee formation

All state fees plus first-year agent costs are built into the price — nothing hidden, no invoices you didn't expect.

Honest jurisdiction guidance

We weigh a US LLC against the Cook Islands and Nevis honestly, so domestic simplicity is not mistaken for an offshore jurisdictional firewall.

Full compliance from day one

Every structure we build, Form 5472 obligations included, is set up to comply fully from the day it is formed.

Structure comparison

U.S. LLC weighed against a Cook Islands or Nevis Company

The two do genuinely different jobs. A Wyoming LLC is quick, cheap and domestic, with real charging-order protection — but it stays bound by full faith and credit among the states, unlike the true jurisdictional firewall of an offshore company. Cook Islands and Nevis companies are purpose-built for adversarial creditor defence beyond the US court system entirely.

Offshore, purpose-built protection

Cook Islands or Nevis Company

JurisdictionOffshore — beyond the US court system, behind a real jurisdictional firewall.
Creditor protectionA dedicated statutory charging-order regime; Nevis adds a $100,000 creditor bond.
Best useGuarding assets against creditor claims, whether live or looming.
Domestic, fast, low-cost

Wyoming LLC

JurisdictionDomestic — bound by the US court system and by full faith and credit.
Creditor protectionAn exclusive charging-order remedy since 2014 — real enough, but domestic.
Best useA quick, cheap US footprint with banking access.
Choose Cook Islands or Nevis ↗If what matters most is the strongest possible defence against a live or looming creditor claim, US court jurisdiction included.
Choose WyomingIf what you want is a quick, cheap US footprint, domestic banking and reasonable privacy — without stepping offshore.
After a US operating layer with genuine offshore cover over it? Put a Cook Islands Trust above a Wyoming LLC. See the Cook Islands Trust
Where United States leads

A fast US business presence and domestic banking access

The Wyoming LLC appeals most to people who want a quick, cheap, private US entity and have no wish to go offshore.

International entrepreneurs after a US footprint for banking, payments and credibility
Clients banking through US fintechs — Mercury, Wise Business, Relay — with fully remote onboarding
Small businesses and freelancers wanting the cheapest, simplest US LLC there is
Clients after domestic charging-order protection minus the cost and complexity of going offshore
When another jurisdiction fits better

Not where we would start for the strongest possible creditor defence

Wyoming's domestic protection is real and well-regarded, but as a US entity it stays bound by full faith and credit among the states — a world away from an offshore jurisdictional firewall.

Bound by the US court system, unlike the firewall an offshore company gives
Bound by full faith and credit — a sister-state judgment can usually be enforced
Foreign-owned LLCs owe Form 5472 each year, with a minimum $25,000 penalty for missing it
Commercial-creditor suitability must be assessed before funding
For the strongest possible creditor defence outside the US court system, compare the Cook Islands Company and Nevis Company. For fast, low-cost domestic US structuring, Wyoming is frequently the stronger fit.

State Specific Information

All application processes can be completed through Wealth Web to keep your company formation simple.

Alabama LLC — annual reporting, tax and registration requirements.

To operate an LLC in Alabama, you must meet specific reporting and tax obligations. Here are the essentials:

Annual Report

  • Annual Report and Business Privilege Tax (BPT): File an annual report as part of your BPT return. The BPT is a franchise tax based on the business's taxable net worth, with a minimum tax of $50. File Form PPT (for pass-through entities) or Form BPT-IN (for the initial return). The initial return is due two and a half months after forming your LLC. File and pay the BPT online through My Alabama Taxes (MAT).

State Business Taxes

  • Pass-Through Taxation: By default, LLCs are pass-through entities, meaning the LLC itself does not pay income taxes. Instead, the income passes through to the owners, who report it on their personal tax returns.
  • Corporate Tax Status: If you elect to have your LLC taxed as a corporation, file IRS Form 2553. Alabama will also treat your LLC as a corporation for state taxes, subject to a flat 6.5% corporate income tax rate.

Employer Taxes

  • Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN): Obtain an EIN from the IRS if your LLC has employees.
  • Withholding Taxes: Withhold and pay employee income taxes to the Alabama Department of Revenue (DOR). Register your business with the DOR via MAT and file Form A-1 quarterly or Form A-6 monthly. File Form A-3 annually to reconcile tax withholding.
  • Unemployment Insurance (UI) Tax: Register with the Alabama Department of Labor and pay UI taxes quarterly online through eGov.

Sales and Use Tax

  • Sales Tax: Register with the DOR through MAT to collect and pay sales tax on taxable goods or services. File returns and make payments monthly, quarterly, semiannually, or annually. Visit the DOR's Sales and Use Tax Division website for more details.

Doing Business in Other States

  • Foreign Registration: If operating outside Alabama, you may need to register as a foreign LLC in other states where you have a physical presence, hire employees, or advertise. Check individual state requirements.

Resources and Professional Help

  • Online Services: The DOR website offers online filing and resources.
  • Legal Assistance: Consider consulting an Alabama business attorney for complex issues, especially if your LLC operates in multiple states or has unique industry requirements.
1 of 48 · Alabama
total protection package
  • Wyoming registered agent application handled from start to finish
  • Trustee, registration and third-party charges set out line by line in the written quote
  • Wyoming-compliant formation documents drawn up where needed
  • Structure registered and ready to take in trustee-approved assets

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Rarotonga, Cook Islands

More than two decades of experience across offshore banking, asset protection, international companies and trusts.

Connor Steens
BBUS

Founder & Business Development Director

Sydney, Australia

Specialises in offshore structuring, strategic partnerships, business development and global wealth solutions.

Atinata Hosking

Sales Manager

Rarotonga, Cook Islands

Brings more than two decades of experience in offshore banking, regulatory compliance and client relationship management.

Melanie Tetuaiteroi

Sales Assistant

Rarotonga, Cook Islands

Supports client onboarding, communications, documentation and operational coordination, backed by fiduciary administration experience.

Recent Articles

Explore our latest insights, practical guides and updates on international wealth structuring.

What is a Wyoming LLC used for?

People reach for a Wyoming LLC for US business banking, e-commerce and consulting income, and as a quick, cheap domestic operating layer — frequently underneath an offshore trust where a layered structure is wanted.

Is a Wyoming LLC legal?

Yes. Wyoming LLCs are perfectly legal domestic vehicles, used the world over by international entrepreneurs. A foreign-owned single-member LLC owes Form 5472 to the IRS each year, and we see to it that every structure meets that filing and the rest.

How does a Wyoming LLC stack up against a Cook Islands or Nevis company on asset protection?

Wyoming is domestic — bound by the US court system and by full faith and credit among the states, so a sister-state judgment can generally still reach it. Cook Islands and Nevis companies sit right outside the US court system, behind a genuine jurisdictional firewall. When the aim is the strongest possible creditor defence we point to the Cook Islands or Nevis Company; Wyoming's edge is speed, cost and domestic simplicity.

How much does a Wyoming LLC cost?

It starts at $1,500, taking in the Wyoming state filing fee and the first-year registered agent cost. You get a full itemised quote up front, with nothing hidden.

How long does Wyoming LLC formation take?

Formation usually finishes within one to two days of receiving your details — among the fastest company formations anywhere. Opening a US bank account, fintech options included, usually takes a further two to four weeks.

Is Wyoming LLC ownership private?

The public Articles of Organization do not name members — only the registered agent and the organizer show up. Members are named in the Operating Agreement, which is private and never lodged with the state.

What is Form 5472 and do I need to file it?

Form 5472 is a compulsory yearly return for every foreign-owned single-member LLC, owed even at zero income or activity and bolted onto a pro-forma Form 1120. Miss it and the penalty opens at $25,000 a year — so we make every structure we build ready to support the filing.

What assets can a Wyoming LLC hold?

Just about any asset class can sit in a Wyoming LLC — US bank accounts, investment portfolios, business interests, intellectual property. It is a favourite as the US-facing tier inside a wider international structure.

Can a Wyoming LLC open a bank account remotely?

Yes. Fintech business banks — Mercury, Wise Business, Relay among them — onboard non-US-resident owners entirely remotely with electronic ID checks, which puts a Wyoming LLC within reach from anywhere.

Do I need a lawyer to set up a Wyoming LLC?

We are firm about getting independent legal and tax advice, particularly on Form 5472 and your position at home. We run the whole formation and can put you in touch with qualified advisers.

What are the annual costs of maintaining a Wyoming LLC?

Wyoming's yearly state fee starts at $60, among the lowest of any US state, with registered agent renewal usually $100–$200 a year on top. Form 5472 preparation runs whatever your CPA charges, and for a foreign-owned LLC it is a required annual cost.