Countries/United States
United States

Starting a business in United States

The entity type decides the tax, and the state decides the paperwork. Delaware is the default for a reason that has nothing to do with rates.

LLC or C-Corporation?All guides
At a glanceVerified Sep 2026
21%
Federal corporate
0%
LLC, pass-through
None
Federal VAT
USD 0
Minimum capital
Verified against official sourcesSee citations →

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United States guides
Company formationRegistration steps, costs, timelines and documents.Corporate taxRates, VAT and the reliefs that actually apply.Business lawsCompliance, UBO rules, labour law and penalties.Free zonesChoosing a zone, setup process, mainland comparison.Banking & financeBusiness accounts, payment gateways, crypto rules.Visas & residencyGolden, investor and freelance visa pathways.

The decision that shapes everything: LLC or C-Corporation

LLC
Pass-through
  • Profit is taxed once, on the members' returns
  • Minimal formalities and lower annual cost
  • Venture funds cannot cleanly hold LLC interests
  • Self-employment tax applies to active members
vs
C-Corporation
Delaware default
  • 21% federal, then tax again on dividends
  • The only structure US venture capital will fund
  • Supports ISOs, preferred stock and QSBS
  • Board, officers, minutes and Form 1120 every year

All United States guides

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