What is the best US state to form an LLC as a non-resident?
For most non-resident founders, Wyoming is the best state: low annual fees, strong owner privacy, and no state income tax. New Mexico is the cheapest with no annual report. Delaware is worth the higher cost mainly if you plan to raise venture capital.
Why Wyoming wins for most
Wyoming has no state income tax, a low annual report fee, and does not list member names publicly, which is why it is the default recommendation for a solo foreign founder running an online business. The combination of privacy and low ongoing cost fits the typical case better than Delaware's higher fees.
When to choose differently
New Mexico is the lowest-cost option and has no annual report, which suits a very lean setup. Delaware makes sense if you intend to raise money from US venture investors, who are familiar with its corporate law. Forming in the state where you personally live is almost never relevant for a non-resident.
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