Most formation services show a price with "plus state fees" underneath, and the full cost turns up at checkout, or at renewal a year later. This guide adds up every line for a Wyoming LLC owned by a founder abroad. Our prices come from the same catalogue the checkout uses. The rest are the state's and the IRS's figures, and typical market rates.
What you can't avoid
Our plans, added up
Starter is $289 once and $119 a year after, for the registered agent. With the state fee, that's $391.40 on the day, then $179 a year with the annual report. Standard is $499 once and $249 a year: $601.40 on the day, then $309 a year. Premium is $1,299 once with the state fee included, then $999 a year, or $1,059 with the annual report fee. It files the annual report for you, prepares Form 5472 and has a CPA review it, and gives you a named specialist. The pricing page lists every line, and the calculator adds the extras.
The costs plan cards leave out
- A US mailing address, if a platform asks for one. Virtual address services usually charge $10 to $30 a month. The state doesn't require one, but PayPal and some marketplaces may.
- A US phone number, which PayPal and some platforms ask for. An internet phone provider charges a few dollars a month.
- An ITIN, if it turns out you need one. A Certifying Acceptance Agent usually charges a few hundred dollars. Most founders never need one, and the ITIN guide explains when you do.
- An accountant at home for your own country's tax return, which you'd file anyway. The US company usually adds questions to that return rather than a second one.
- Payment processing fees. Stripe charges about 3% of card revenue plus a fixed fee per payment, and PayPal and merchants of record set their own rates, often higher.
- Currency conversion when you move money home. Wise charges a small percentage, while a traditional bank often takes several percent through its exchange rate.
- Sales tax registration in a state, if your sales there pass its threshold. Premium includes one state's registration.
- A certificate of good standing or an apostille, if a bank abroad asks. Wyoming's certificate is free online, Delaware's is $50, and an apostille adds a state fee.
What it doesn't cost
- US income tax, for a company run entirely from abroad with no US office, staff, dependent agent or US inventory. It files its forms and usually owes nothing.
- A beneficial ownership report. FinCEN no longer requires one from companies formed in the United States, so a provider still charging for it is selling a filing you don't owe.
- A trip to the US. Nothing in the process requires one.
Five years, added up
On Starter with no extras, a Wyoming LLC costs $391.40 in year one and $179 a year after that: $1,107.40 over five years, of which $342.40 goes to the state. On Premium, with the filings done for you, it's $1,299 in year one and $1,059 a year after: $5,535 over five years. The difference pays for filings you'd otherwise do yourself or pay an accountant for.