Do you need a US company to get paid online?
Updated October 24, 2026
Forming a US company is the most-repeated advice for founders in countries without Stripe. It works, but it is rarely the right first step.
What it unlocks
- A Stripe account and a US business account for the company.
- Lower published per-sale fees than a merchant of record (2.9% + 30¢ against 4% + 40¢ at Dodo Payments, in the US) — but you then handle sales tax and VAT yourself.
What it really costs
Firstbase showed $99 one-time to form the company, plus the state fee, on 22 October 2026 (its Start page now says only the state fee is due), then $299 per state per year for the registered agent. doola sells yearly plans, from $297 per year plus state fees. On top of that come state fees and taxes and the yearly US tax filings. You are also responsible for VAT and sales tax on your sales unless you add a tax tool.
Your home country may also tax the company's profits or require you to declare a foreign company. Ask a local accountant before forming one.
Compare the total yearly cost, not just the setup price: our guide "Firstbase vs doola" puts their official prices side by side.
A simple rule
- No revenue yet: start with a merchant of record or a receiving account. Prove people will pay.
- Steady revenue, and fees or limits are hurting: compare the yearly cost of a US company with the fees you would save.
Ready to form your US company?
Compare the total yearly cost, then start with the service that fits. Check that your country of residence is accepted before you pay.
📞 Book your free call — Book a free 15-minute call with doola's team to choose the right US company, state and plan before you pay anything.
Affiliate link: if you sign up, we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Firstbase offer. New customers get $25 off their first order: sign up through our link, then enter the code PARTNERGIFT2024 at checkout.
doola offer. 10% off your first purchase: sign up through our link, then enter the code PWB10 at checkout.
Our partners
Services we work with. Same checked statuses as everywhere else on the site — the partnership never changes a status or the order of our recommendations.
Wise
Multi-currency account to hold, receive and convert money; Wise Business for a US company. Check that Wise serves your country first.
Partner links: if you sign up, we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Services mentioned
Firstbase
Formation: $99 one-time plus the state fee on its pricing page (22 October 2026); its Start page now says "Formation is on us. Pay only your state fee." Check at checkout. Registered agent: $299 per state per year. Tax filing for a single-member LLC owned by a non-US person: $899 per year.
Go to Firstbase (opens in a new tab)doola
Starter: $297 per year plus state fees (formation, EIN, operating agreement, registered agent, mailing address). Tax and Compliance: $1,999 per year plus state fees, with the yearly IRS and state filings. Business-in-a-Box: $2,999 per year plus state fees, with a dedicated bookkeeper.
Go to doola (opens in a new tab)Mercury
Mercury plan: $0 per month. Mercury Plus: $29.90 per month. Mercury Pro: $299 per month.
Go to Mercury (opens in a new tab)Wise
Registration is free. Transfer fees vary by currency: see Wise's pricing page.
Go to Wise (opens in a new tab)Affiliate link: if you sign up, we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Official sources
Source links go to each provider's official page, without our partner offers. To get the offers, sign up through these links: doola: 10% off with PWB10 (opens in a new tab) · Firstbase: $25 off with PARTNERGIFT2024 (opens in a new tab)
Checked October 24, 2026. Prices and rules change: confirm on the official page before you act.