Why Incorporate in the US?

For many international founders and remote entrepreneurs, establishing a US entity (LLC or C-Corp) is often a necessary step, not just a formality. It usually unlocks:

  • Payment Gateways: Access to Stripe, PayPal, and other processors that might be restricted in your home country.
  • Banking: The ability to open a US business bank account (like Mercury or Brex).
  • Client Trust: In B2B relationships, a US entity often simplifies compliance and billing for your clients.
  • Investment: If you plan to raise venture capital, a Delaware C-Corp is the industry standard.

How Firstbase Helps

I use Firstbase.io because they automate the bureaucratic friction of this process. Instead of navigating state filings, IRS forms for an EIN, and registered agent services individually, they bundle it into a single dashboard.

They essentially handle:

  1. Formation: Filing the Articles of Organization/Incorporation in Wyoming or Delaware.
  2. EIN: Obtaining the Employer Identification Number from the IRS (critical for banking).
  3. Compliance: Providing the mandatory Registered Agent address in the state of incorporation.

It’s not that you can’t do these things yourself, but Firstbase commoditizes the legal operational overhead so you can focus on the product.

The Ecosystem

Beyond just formation (“Start”), they’ve unbundled their services so you can pick what you actually need:

  • Start: The core formation package (LLC/C-Corp + EIN).
  • Agent: Mandatory compliance handling (Registered Agent services).
  • Mailroom: A physical US address to digitize your business mail (essential if you don’t have a US office).
  • Accounting: Bookkeeping services specialized for foreign-owned US entities.

Discount Codes

If you decide Firstbase is the right path for your setup, you can use these codes to lower the initial setup costs. Consider them a small “founder-to-founder” perk.

Formation (Firstbase Start™)

Standard reduction on the filing fee.

STARTHERSONXURC6D50B

Save $10

Compliance (Firstbase Agent™)

Applicable to Light, Autopilot, or Payroll plans.

AGENTLTHERSONXURC6D50B

Save $10

Virtual Address (Firstbase Mailroom™)

Useful if you need a physical address for bank verifications or customer correspondence.

MAILROOMHERSONXURC6D50B

Save $50 (Basic or Premium)

Bookkeeping (Firstbase Accounting™)

Only applies if you opt for the annual plan.

ACCHERSONXURC6D50B

Save $50

Note: Proceed with the structure that makes sense for your specific tax situation. While tools like Firstbase simplify the execution, always confirm your tax liabilities in your home country regarding foreign-controlled corporations (CFC).