All Organizational forms in the US are state-level formations. That means this question is sort of difficult to answer. Some states are likely more friendly than others.
The process for citizens is generally:
- Form Organization At State Level (Secretary Of State)
- Apply For Federal EIN (Tax ID Number, IRS)
- Apply For Local Tax ID Number (State Dept of Revenue)
- File For Other Requirements -- such as local/state taxes/certificates/offices. Usually there is an employment agency you have to file with for Workers Comp.
Most states are going to need some sort of local address to form a domestic corporation/organization within their realm. You can register for business as a foreign corporation, but then you will need a local office. Again, all of this knowledge is highly state-specific, so YMMV.
Besides, you could always set it up with a UPS Store Mailbox that fwd's mail (at your cost) to your real international location.
I would also question why you need this. Do you have a specific purpose? I'm not saying you dont, I'm just curious.
Yes, I'm starting (yet another) SaaS one man startup. I need a US LLC for:
* credibility - people (especially US citizens) trust you more. Why? My personal theory - they know they have someone to sue in the US if things go wrong.
* billing - most payment processors (authorize.net comes to mind) only work with US corporations. Bummer.
Yes: know your state. Some are hassles more than others.
Note that Delaware specializes in incorporations and has more corporations incorporated within it than any other state. ...so many people living in other states start small corps registered in Delaware.
I'm not sure if those numbers (or all the benefits of Delaware) apply equally to LLCs, but I'd check it out.
The process for citizens is generally:
- Form Organization At State Level (Secretary Of State)
- Apply For Federal EIN (Tax ID Number, IRS)
- Apply For Local Tax ID Number (State Dept of Revenue)
- File For Other Requirements -- such as local/state taxes/certificates/offices. Usually there is an employment agency you have to file with for Workers Comp.
Most states are going to need some sort of local address to form a domestic corporation/organization within their realm. You can register for business as a foreign corporation, but then you will need a local office. Again, all of this knowledge is highly state-specific, so YMMV.
Besides, you could always set it up with a UPS Store Mailbox that fwd's mail (at your cost) to your real international location.
I would also question why you need this. Do you have a specific purpose? I'm not saying you dont, I'm just curious.