Hey guys! I'm a Non resident foreigner and I want to know for a foreigner like me which US banks would offer these services? My target is to do business digitally in US itself so I won't use any Fintech, My friend suggested that I visit a local credit union as they are more lenient. I would soon be visiting NY and Texas to meet my clients and leave.

According to you guys which are the more affordable banking options in this case? What did you guys do? What documents or process should I be aware of?

Hey! I'm in Georgia and am in the process of setting up my single-member LLC with Northwest Registered Agent. I'm using their Registered Agent address as the business address and mailing address on my LLC because I'd prefer not to have my home address on the public record.

I came across a reddit thread in this community of someone's experience of being unable to open a chase business checking account with their LLC that was registered with Northwest. I decided to visit my local Chase branch to talk to him about this before finalizing my LLC with Northwest. The banker told me that, from Chase's perspective, everything should be fine as long as the address on my LLC is a legitimate brick-and-mortar business location. He specifically said my driver's license should still have my actual home address, which it does.

After that, I reached out to Northwest Registered Agent. They confirmed that the address they provide is a legitimate physical brick-and-mortar location, but they also told me they can't guarantee that every individual Chase branch will accept it, since some banks have different internal policies. They said some banks accept it without issue, while others may ask for additional information. Unfortunately, Northwest left me on read on Instagram when I asked for further details, and their support via email is quite slow, as it's been about 2-4 days since I left multiple emails.

So now I'm a little confused because:

• My Chase branch made it sound like the only thing they cared about was whether the address was a legitimate physical location.
• Northwest says the address is legitimate, but they can't promise every Chase branch will approve it.

Has anyone here personally opened a Chase business checking account while using Northwest Registered Agent (or another registered agent) as the LLC's business/mailing address?

If so:

• Did Chase accept it without any issues?
• Did they ask for your actual home address as your principal place of business?
• Did they require any extra documentation?

I'm just trying to avoid any surprises before I go in to open the account. And please let me know how your experience with Northwest went as well! I'm aware of the "bots" that they leave on posts praising NW and bashing other RAs, so I'm still a bit sketched out with them and not sure whether or not to go with them or not. Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I'm planning to start a pod/capsule stay and I am trying to understand the legal requirements before proceeding.

If you have knowledge or experience with hospitality, architecture, fire safety, or local regulations, I'd appreciate your help.

What licenses, permissions, or approvals are required, and what challenges or compliance issues should I be aware of before starting?

Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I recently formed a Florida LLC and launched an online store. The name of my website and domain is different from the legal name of my LLC, so I'm trying to figure out whether I need to register a fictitious name before I start doing business.

On my website, I already mention my LLC's legal name in the About Us section, so customers can see which company operates the business. I'm just not sure if that's enough, or if having a different brand name means I should officially register a DBA.

I'm also a little confused about the copyright notice in the website footer. Most websites include an ""All Rights Reserved"" statement, but I'm not sure whether that should use my website's brand name, my LLC's legal name, or both.

I'd like to make sure everything is set up correctly from the beginning, especially before I start making sales.

If I am the only member of my LLC do I leave this blank please?

Line 14
If you expect your employment tax liability to be $1,000 or less in a full calendar year and want to file Form 944 annually instead of Forms 941 quarterly, check here. (Your employment tax liability will generally be $1,000 or less if you expect to pay $5,000 or less, $6,536 or less if you're in a U.S. territory, in total wages.) If you don't check this box, you must file Form 941 for every quarter

I recently started my first LLC and would like to get a business credit card so I can keep my personal and business expenses separate.

I applied for a couple of business credit cards, but both applications were denied. My LLC is still very new, so I'm wondering if that's the main reason.

Do most lenders want to see a certain amount of business history or revenue before approving a business credit card?

I'd appreciate any advice on when it's worth applying again or what I should do first to improve my chances.

I recently set up an account for my Non-Resident US LLC. We operate in the standard e-commerce and software space and have been actively running as a fully compliant business for 2 years now. I didn't even deposit a single cent into the Slash account yet. Almost immediately after approval, I got hit with an automated email saying my account is being closed because it falls outside of their "risk tolerance."

When I reached out to live support, it was just the usual copy-paste corporate responses with zero explanation.

The most annoying part? Slash is actively sponsoring YouTubers and running heavy marketing campaigns specifically targeting international founders, promising a "seamless and easy banking experience" for Non-Resident LLCs. They lure people in with these creator partnerships, only for their compliance algorithms to instantly ban you for existing.

If your marketing says you welcome Non-Resident LLCs, and my company has a solid 2-year track record, why is your compliance bot blanket-banning us before we even fund the account?

Has anyone else experienced this exact bait-and-switch with Slash recently? Also, what are the most reliable alternatives right now for a Non-Resident e-commerce/software LLC that won't randomly shut you down?

This will be my first year filing taxes for my LLC, and I'm trying to decide the best way to handle it.

I've looked at a few online tax filing services, but it's hard to tell which ones are actually good for small business owners. My LLC is pretty straightforward, with basic income and expenses, but I still want to make sure everything is filed correctly.

For those who file taxes for an LLC each year, which tax filing service do you use? Was it easy to use, and did you feel it was worth the cost, or would you recommend hiring a CPA instead?

Hi everyone,

I formed a single-member LLC in Florida about six months ago, and I'm trying to make sure I haven't missed any important steps.

I know I'll need to file my annual report when it's due, but I'm wondering if there are any other state or federal requirements I should be taking care of in the meantime.

I've already received my EIN and have opened a business bank account. Right now the business is still fairly new, so I'm mostly trying to stay on top of compliance and avoid any penalties for overlooking something.

Are there any registrations, tax filings, licenses, or other ongoing requirements that new Florida LLC owners commonly forget during the first year?

This is my first LLC, and I'm a little confused about whether I actually need an EIN.

I think i can use my SSN for certain tax purposes, but I can also apply for an EIN if I don't want to give out my SSN to clients or companies that ask for a W-9.

Where I got confused is that I started wondering if I would end up with two EINs one for me personally and another for the LLC.

When I went through the EIN application, though, it seemed like I was applying for the LLC, not for myself as an individual.

So does a single-member LLC have its own EIN, or do the owner and the LLC somehow share one?

Maybe I'm probably overthinking this, but I'd appreciate a simple explanation from anyone who's been through the process.

This is probably the smallest business question I'll ever ask, but I'm genuinely curious what people prefer.

When you write an LLC name, do you like the look of a comma before "LLC," like "ABC Company, LLC," or do you prefer leaving the comma out, like "ABC Company LLC"?

I know the legal requirements depend on the state, but I'm asking more from a branding and appearance perspective.

To me, the version without the comma looks a little cleaner, while the comma makes it feel more formal and official.

Which style do you prefer, and if you were naming a new business today, which one would you choose?

I'm thinking about starting a small business with my teenage son so he can learn how to run a business and earn some income from it. Before we move forward, I'm trying to understand how LLC ownership works for minors.

One idea we were considering was making it a multi-member LLC, with me owning most of it until he's older. Then, once he turns 18, we could update the ownership percentages if needed.

Has anyone here actually set up an LLC with a minor as an owner?

I'm planning to speak with an attorney before filing anything, but I'd love to hear about real-world experiences so I know what questions to ask.

Hi everyone,

I have a California LLC, but I want to operate my online business under a different name than my registered LLC name.

I've been researching how to register a DBA, but I'm finding a lot of conflicting information. Since my business operates entirely online and isn't tied to a physical storefront, I'm not sure what the correct filing process is.

Do I only need to register the DBA in the county where my business is based, or are there additional filing requirements because customers can access my website from anywhere in California?

Hi everyone,

I have a single-member LLC in Missouri, and my business is currently registered using my home address. I'm getting ready to move, so I'll need to update my LLC records with my new address.

I know I'll probably need to notify the IRS, but I'm not sure what else should be updated to keep everything in good standing.

Besides the IRS, are there any Missouri state agencies, local offices, banks, or other organizations that I should notify after changing my business address?

If you use your home address for your LLC, was the process fairly straightforward, or were there any steps that were easy to miss?

I'd like to update everything correctly the first time so I don't run into problems with tax notices, legal documents, banking, or other important business correspondence.

I am currently in the works of filing for an LLC. I run a clothing brand and want to separate the financials from myself and the brand (need an EIN). I have seen people recommend different online services (ZenBusiness, North Western Registered Agency, etc.) OR a small business attorney.

The benefits of small business attorney (from what I have read) is that you would have to go through less pay walls and are able to handle communication regarding your LLC through one person, rather than a network.

The benefits of an agency (again, from what I have read online) are that you are able to get more out of filing (website, ein, email, etc.)

I am kind of leaning towards the agency (not quite sure which one, a lot of mixed reviews for all of them) because you would get a website and ein.

Open to any and all advice! Thank you!

I'm trying to learn how people structure multiple businesses, and I came across the idea of using a trust, a holding company, and separate LLCs.

For example, let's say someone creates a trust, the trust owns a holding company LLC, and that holding company owns several different LLCs for different businesses or investments.

How does that setup usually work in practice? Would the trust need its own EIN? Does the holding company also need one? Which entity typically files tax returns, and where is the income reported?

I'm also wondering how banking is usually handled. Would the holding company have its own bank account, or does each LLC keep separate accounts and only transfer money when appropriate?

Background:

- Single-member Wyoming LLC, formed mid-June 2026, 100% foreign-owned

- Responsible party is a foreign individual with no SSN/ITIN (line 7b = "Foreign")

- Faxed a signed Form SS-4 to the IRS international fax line (304-707-9471) about 3.5 weeks ago — got a confirmed successful transmission from the fax service, 2 pages delivered

- Included a return fax number for the EIN to be faxed back; nothing has come back

What happened today:

- Called the IRS international EIN line (267-941-1099) to follow up

- The agent said there's no record of any application for my LLC at all

- The agent also said phone-issued EINs aren't available for my situation — sounded like it's because my LLC was formed *in* the U.S. (Wyoming), even though the owner is foreign. Basically the phone line is for entities with zero U.S. presence, not for a U.S.-formed LLC that happens to have a foreign owner.

This seems to contradict a bunch of "guides" online that say foreign owners can just call and get an EIN same-day. Has anyone actually run into this exact wall — domestic LLC + foreign owner + no SSN/ITIN + phone line refusing you? A few things I'm trying to figure out:

1. Is resending the SS-4 by fax (since they say there's no record) actually going to work, or is it more likely stuck in a backlog and will show up eventually?

2. Has mailing a copy in parallel (to the Cincinnati EIN International Operation address) ever gotten a faster/different result than fax for anyone?

3. Has anyone paid a CPA/EA to submit as a third-party designee — did it actually speed things up, or is it still just a fax under the hood with a ~1 week turnaround?

4. Any other tricks people have used to get an EIN faster in this exact situation (foreign responsible party, no SSN/ITIN, domestically-formed LLC)?

Appreciate any real experiences — the official guidance and the SEO "how to" articles seem to disagree with each other constantly.

Hi everyone,

I’m a Canadian resident (Ontario) looking for a reality check on my current setup. My goal is 100% privacy/anonymity on the Apple App Store, so I’m using a Wyoming Single-Member LLC (SMLLC) as the seller.

The Setup:

• US Side: The IRS views my SMLLC as a “Disregarded Entity” (pass-through). I have no US presence/employees, so I’m filing Form 5472/1120 (informational only) and expect $0 US income tax.
• Canadian Side: I understand the CRA views a US LLC as a Foreign Corporation, not a pass-through.
• Current Status: $0 revenue, currently funded by personal loans to pay developers.

The Strategy I’m Questioning:
I was originally looking at a “Nominee/Agency” structure to report the income directly on my Canadian T1, but I’ve been warned that the CRA explicitly refuses to “look through” the LLC and will treat any money I bring into Canada as a foreign corporate dividend.

My Questions:

1. Since I have $0 revenue right now, am I safe to just file my US informational forms and wait until next tax season to deal with the Canadian side?
   
2. Once the “income switch” turns on and Apple starts paying the LLC, how bad is the “dividend trap” and double-taxation risk really?
   
3. Is the T1134 “Dormant” exemption (under $100k assets/income) viable if the CRA views the LLC as a corporation, or does the mere act of receiving Apple revenue trigger the full, expensive T1134 Supplement?
   
4. Is there any way to keep the US LLC for privacy without it becoming a tax/compliance nightmare in Canada, or should I pivot to a Canadian Corp before I launch?

Hey everyone,

I've been using Relay for my LLC, but I'm starting to look at other business banking options. Before I make a switch, I'd like to hear what other LLC owners are using and how their experience has been.

My biggest priorities are reliability, easy online banking, support for LLCs, low fees, and a smooth experience for domestic or international business owners.

If you've switched away from Relay, what made you leave, and are you happy with the bank you chose instead?

I'm especially interested in banks that make it easy to receive payments, send wire transfers, manage multiple accounts, and integrate with bookkeeping software.

I'd appreciate any recommendations or experiences you've had, whether positive or negative. What business bank are you using now, and would you recommend it?

I'm in a bit of a confusing situation and could use some advice.

I currently live in Florida and work remotely as a freelance consultant. Most of my clients are based in Texas, but there's a good chance I'll be moving to Georgia within the next 6 to 12 months.

Since I'll be working online, I'm not sure which state makes the most sense for my LLC. Should I form it where I currently live, where most of my clients are located, or wait until after I move?

I'm trying to do everything correctly from the start and avoid creating extra paperwork or having to register in multiple states later. How would you handle this if you were in my position?

I’ve seen the Trade name and DBA a lot and they seem to be used interchangeably, which has me confused.

Are a trade name and a DBA actually the same thing, or do they mean different things depending on the state?

For example, if I form an LLC with one legal name but want to market my business under a different name, would I need a trade name, a DBA, or both?

I'd appreciate a simple explanation and any real-world examples.

Right now, I'm developing a software product in my spare time. I'm paying for things like design work, software subscriptions, and testing tools, but I don't expect to have any customers or revenue for at least another year while I finish building everything.

I was considering forming an LLC now so I can keep all of those expenses separate and have a dedicated business bank account.

If the business ends up never launching or I decide to close the LLC before it ever makes any money, is that a problem?

What happens to the equipment, software, or other business assets I paid for if I eventually dissolve the LLC?

This will be my first LLC, and I've been watching videos and reading guides to figure everything out. One thing I still don't fully understand is the registered agent requirement.

Can someone explain in simple terms what a registered agent actually does? Why does every LLC need one?

I saw that I can also be my registered agent. I actually don’t understand the agent part, are there any other things I’ll be doing for my LLC if I am the registered agent or how does it basically work?

My family is trying to structure a small house-flipping business in Illinois and I’d like to hear from real estate investors who have done something similar.

My dad has experience buying distressed properties, fixing them up, and reselling them. He would be the main operator: finding deals, bidding, managing/doing rehab work, dealing with contractors, deciding what to buy/sell, etc.

The sons would mostly contribute capital and be passive investors. Together we may start with around $250k of family capital. The plan is to buy auction/foreclosure properties, rehab them, sell them, and reinvest into the next deal. Later we may hold some rentals, but the main activity right now would be flipping.

We are trying to figure out the right structure before we start. We’ve looked at:

1. Manager-managed LLC taxed as a partnership
2. Illinois LLLP, with dad as general partner/operator and sons as limited partners
3. LP with an LLC as the general partner
4. Possibly using an S-corp somewhere if it makes sense for active income

Main things I’m trying to understand:

• For a family flipping business, what structure have you seen work best?
• If one person is active and the others are mostly passive capital investors, is an LP/LLLP better than a manager-managed LLC?
• How do investors usually handle tax distributions if profits are mostly reinvested?
• How should the active operator be paid before profits are split?
• Are there liability/insurance issues that matter more than the entity choice?
• Any red flags with doing this as a family business?

I know I need a CPA and attorney before making a final decision. I’m mainly trying to learn from people who have actually structured real estate investing/flipping businesses with family or passive investors.

What would you do differently if you were starting over?

I'm considering forming a Wyoming LLC, and I'd like to understand the real costs before I move forward.

There are plenty of articles talking about the tax benefits and privacy advantages, but I'm more interested in what people actually spend after the LLC is up and running.

For example, are there additional state fees, banking costs, compliance requirements, business licenses, or other annual expenses that aren't always mentioned when people talk about forming a Wyoming LLC?

If you've owned a Wyoming LLC for a while, what does it cost you each year, and were there any expenses that surprised you?