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US LLC Formation for Canadian Founders
Guides, tools, and compliance walkthroughs for Canadian residents forming and operating US business entities.
Your First Steps
Step 1
Form Your Entity
Forming a US LLC from Canada: Complete Guide (2026)
Step 2
Open US Banking
US Banking for Canadian LLC Owners (2026)
Step 3
Avoid the CRA Trap
CRA and US LLCs: The Tax Classification Trap Canadians Face
Step 4
Understand the Treaty
Canada-US Tax Treaty and LLC Income: What Changes in 2026
Canadian Founder Guides
Forming a US LLC from Canada: Complete Guide (2026)
Canada-US is the #1 co-founder pairing on Stripe Atlas. But the CRA treats US LLCs as corporations — creating a tax trap that costs founders thousands.
CRA and US LLCs: The Tax Classification Trap Canadians Face
The CRA treats US LLCs as corporations. The IRS treats them as pass-through. This mismatch creates effective tax rates of 50-75% for Canadian founders.
US Banking for Canadian LLC Owners (2026)
Canadian founders have a real edge: TD Bank works on both sides of the border. But the fintech options and FX traps are different from what you expect.
Canada-US Tax Treaty and LLC Income: What Changes in 2026
Section 899 was dropped in July 2025, but the Canada-US treaty still has gaps for LLCs. What the treaty covers, what it misses, and why Section 899 matters.
Tools and Calculators
Also Relevant
Stripe Atlas vs Firstbase vs Doola Pricing: $4,400 vs $1,447 vs $894 over 3 Years (2026)
3-year all-in costs for non-resident LLCs: Stripe Atlas $4,400, Firstbase $1,447, Doola $894. Full breakdown — registered agent, state fees, EIN, renewal — and which is right for your stage.
Mercury vs Wise vs Relay for Non-Resident US LLC: Who Approves You? (2026)
All three accept non-resident founders, but with different ITIN requirements, country restrictions, and FDIC coverage ($5M / sweep-only / $3M). Side-by-side approval criteria for 2026.
Form 5472: $25,000 Penalty for Non-Resident LLCs (Filing Guide)
Every foreign-owned US LLC files Form 5472. Miss it: $25,000 per form per year. Deadlines, CPA costs ($650-$1,200), filing steps.
US LLC Cost for Non-Residents: $297 to $6,400 Breakdown (2026)
Formation fee ($297-$500) is just the start. Add registered agent, state fees, Form 5472, and bookkeeping — Year 1 real cost hits $1,300-$3,100. Full 5-year projection from actual invoices.
Delaware vs Wyoming LLC for Non-Residents (2026)
Delaware costs $300/yr in franchise tax. Wyoming: $60/yr. Side-by-side comparison of fees, privacy, asset protection, and compliance for non-resident founders.
Tax Residency Guide for Digital Nomads (2026)
How tax residency is determined: the 183-day rule, center of vital interests, habitual abode — specific criteria countries use to claim you as a resident.
Deep Dives
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