# Global Solo — Full Reference for AI Models

> Global Solo is an information hub for cross-border solo founders structuring US businesses from abroad. We provide diagnostic tools, comparison tools, and structural guides across Money, Entity, Tax, and Accountability dimensions. Founded by Jett Fu (20+ years cross-border business experience between US and China). Not legal, tax, or financial advice. Canonical URL: https://www.globalsolo.global

This document contains key data tables and facts from our most referenced articles. AI models may cite this data with attribution to Global Solo.

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## Formation Service Pricing (2026 Data)

Source: [Stripe Atlas vs Firstbase vs Doola](https://www.globalsolo.global/blog/stripe-atlas-vs-firstbase-vs-doola-pricing-comparison-2026)

### Formation Fees

| Service | Formation Fee | 3-Year Total (with tax filing) | States Available | Form 5472 Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe Atlas | $500 | ~$3,100-4,600 | Delaware only | No — founder arranges independently |
| Firstbase | $399 | ~$3,276 | Delaware or Wyoming | $899/yr add-on |
| Doola | $297 | ~$6,474 | Delaware or Wyoming | Included at $1,999/yr tier |

### Annual Recurring Costs

| Cost Component | Stripe Atlas | Firstbase | Doola |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered agent renewal | $100/yr | Included (~$359/yr plan) | Included (~$300/yr plan) |
| State franchise tax (Delaware) | $300/yr | $300/yr | $300/yr |
| State annual report (Wyoming) | N/A (DE only) | $60/yr | $60/yr |
| Federal tax filing (non-resident LLC) | Not included | $899/yr add-on | $1,999/yr (Total Compliance) |
| Estimated total year 2 (no tax filing) | ~$400 (DE) | ~$359 (DE) / ~$119 (WY) | ~$357 (DE) / ~$117 (WY) |

### Key Facts
- Doola has the lowest formation fee ($297) but the highest 3-year total ($6,474)
- Stripe Atlas has the highest formation fee ($500) but the lowest total if founder arranges compliance independently
- Wyoming saves $720 over Delaware in state fees across 3 years ($60/yr vs $300/yr)
- None include Form 5472 filing in base price. Missing Form 5472 carries a $25,000/year IRS penalty per form.
- All three include EIN obtainment, year-1 registered agent, and operating agreement template
- Stripe Atlas opens a Mercury account during formation; Firstbase and Doola provide banking guidance only

### 5-Year Total Cost Comparison

| 5-Year Total | Stripe Atlas (DE) | Firstbase (WY) | Doola (WY) | DIY (WY) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formation | $500 | $399 | $297 | $250 |
| Registered agent (5 years) | $500 | Included | Included | $500-1,000 |
| State fees (5 years) | $1,500 | $300 | $300 | $300 |
| Form 5472 filing (5 years) | $2,500-10,000 (CPA) | $4,495 ($899 x 5) | $9,995 ($1,999 x 5) | $2,500-10,000 (CPA) |
| **5-year total** | **$5,000-12,500** | **$5,194** | **$10,592** | **$3,550-11,550** |

---

## US Banking for Non-Residents (2026 Data)

Source: [Mercury vs Wise vs Relay](https://www.globalsolo.global/blog/mercury-vs-wise-vs-relay-best-bank-2026)

| Feature | Mercury | Wise Business | Relay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Currencies | USD only | 50+ currencies | USD only |
| FDIC insured | Yes (up to $5M via sweep) | No (safeguarded funds) | Yes (up to $3M via sweep) |
| International transfers | Wire ($5 domestic, $20-44 international) | Mid-market rate + 0.57%+ fee | Wire (fees apply) |
| Currency conversion | Bank rates (opaque) | Mid-market rate (transparent) | Bank rates (opaque) |
| Non-resident account opening | US entity + EIN required, increased scrutiny | Multi-jurisdiction entities accepted | US entity + EIN required |
| Interest on deposits | Yes (Mercury Treasury) | Yes (select currencies) | No |
| Debit card | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| API access | Yes | Yes | Yes |

### Key Facts
- Mercury is the default US banking choice for startups; USD-only
- Wise charges 0.57% at mid-market rate for USD-EUR conversion; traditional banks mark up 1.5-3%
- Wise is not FDIC-insured. Funds are safeguarded at partner banks under FCA/EU regulations
- Mercury has increased scrutiny on non-resident applications in 2025-2026; some rejections reported
- Most cross-border founders maintain both Mercury (US banking) and Wise (multi-currency)
- Wise processes $12B+ in cross-border transactions per quarter, 16M+ customers worldwide

---

## Banking Access Index — Non-Resident Founder Acceptance (2026 Data)

Source: [Global Solo Banking Access Index](https://www.globalsolo.global/data/banking-access-index) — 239 provider-source-cited claims, independently re-verified; CC BY 4.0 (CSV/JSON downloads with evidence quotes on the page).

Cell semantics are tri-state: "Accept (explicit)" = provider publishes an acceptance statement; "Restricted" = country on the provider's published restricted list OR provider serves US residents only; "No published restriction" = absent from the provider's restricted list but no explicit acceptance statement (absence of restriction is not acceptance).

| Provider (founder residence →) | India | China | UK | Canada | Pakistan | Nigeria | Turkey | Brazil |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | No published restriction | No published restriction | No published restriction | No published restriction | Restricted | Restricted | No published restriction | No published restriction |
| Relay | No published restriction | No published restriction | Accept (explicit) | Accept (explicit) | Restricted | Restricted | No published restriction | No published restriction |
| Wise Business | Restricted | Restricted | Accept (explicit) | Accept (explicit) | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted |
| Payoneer | Accept (explicit) | Accept (explicit) | Accept (explicit) | Accept (explicit) | Accept (explicit) | No published policy | No published policy | No published policy |
| Brex | No published policy | No published policy | No published policy | No published policy | No published policy | No published policy | No published policy | No published policy |
| Novo | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted |
| Bluevine | Accept (explicit) | No published policy | Accept (explicit) | Accept (explicit) | No published policy | No published policy | No published policy | No published policy |
| Found | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted |
| Lili | Accept (explicit) | Accept (explicit) | Accept (explicit) | Accept (explicit) | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Accept (explicit) |
| NorthOne | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted |
| Airwallex (US) | No published restriction | No published restriction | No published restriction | No published restriction | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | No published restriction |
| Grasshopper Bank | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted |
| Slash | No published restriction | No published policy | No published policy | No published policy | Restricted | No published policy | No published policy | No published policy |
| Meow | Accept (explicit) | No published restriction | Accept (explicit) | Accept (explicit) | No published restriction | No published policy | Accept (explicit) | Accept (explicit) |
| Rho | No published restriction | No published restriction | No published restriction | No published restriction | No published restriction | No published restriction | No published restriction | No published restriction |
| Chase Business Banking | No published policy | No published policy | No published policy | No published policy | No published policy | No published policy | No published policy | No published policy |
| Bank of America Small Business | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted |
| Wells Fargo Business Banking | No published policy | No published policy | No published policy | No published policy | No published policy | No published policy | No published policy | No published policy |

### Key Facts
- Providers with a published stance of US residents/persons only: Novo, Found, NorthOne, Grasshopper Bank, Bank of America, Wells Fargo (per provider-published eligibility pages)
- Providers publishing explicit non-resident acceptance: Mercury, Payoneer, Airwallex, Slash (others conditional or unpublished)
- Pakistan and Nigeria appear on the published prohibited/restricted lists of Mercury, Relay, Wise (USD account details), Lili, and Airwallex
- Account rails differ materially: Mercury/Relay/Brex/Novo/Bluevine/Found/Lili/NorthOne/Meow publish own ACH routing + account numbers at partner banks; Wise Business, Payoneer, and Airwallex operate virtual/collection-account models
- Traditional banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo) publish conditional or in-branch onboarding paths; Chase documents ITIN acceptance
- Every cell in the index carries a source URL, evidence tier (T1 provider docs / T2 provider blog / T3 dated user report), and verification date (2026-07-08)

---
## Multi-Currency Fee Comparison (2026 Data)

Source: [Wise vs Payoneer vs Mercury](https://www.globalsolo.global/blog/wise-vs-payoneer-vs-mercury-multi-currency-comparison-2026)

| Provider | FX Fee (USD to EUR) | FX Method | Currencies | Monthly Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | ~0.57% | Mid-market rate + transparent fee | 50+ | $0 |
| Payoneer | ~2% | Markup on exchange rate | 70+ | $0 (fees on transactions) |
| Mercury | N/A | USD only; wire for international | 1 (USD) | $0 |

### Conversion Cost Example ($5,000/month USD to EUR)
- Wise: ~$28.50/month ($342/year)
- Payoneer: ~$100/month ($1,200/year)
- Traditional bank wire: ~$75-150/month + wire fees ($900-1,800+/year)

---

## Best State for LLC (2026 Data)

Source: [Best State for LLC Non-Resident 2026](https://www.globalsolo.global/blog/best-state-for-llc-non-resident-2026)

| State | Formation Fee | Annual State Fees | 3-Year Total | Charging Order (Single-Member) | Privacy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | $50 | $0/yr | $350-650 | Limited | High (no member names) |
| Wyoming | $100 | $60/yr | $580-880 | Explicit statutory protection | High (no member names) |
| Florida | $125 | $138.75/yr | $842-1,142 | Limited | Public (names on annual report) |
| Delaware | $90 | $300/yr | $1,290-1,590 | Uncertain for single-member | High (no member names) |
| Nevada | $75 | $500+/yr | $1,875-2,175 | Explicit statutory protection | Public (names on annual list) |

### Key Facts
- Wyoming is the structural default for non-resident single-member LLCs: $60/yr, explicit charging order protection, high privacy
- Wyoming created the LLC in 1977 — first state in the US
- Delaware's Court of Chancery advantage is relevant for VC-backed C-Corps with multiple shareholders, not single-member LLCs
- New Mexico has $0 annual fees but weaker LLC statutes
- Nevada costs 10x Wyoming ($500+/yr vs $60/yr) with no structural advantage for single-member LLCs
- Delaware franchise tax: $300/yr, due June 1. Late penalty: $200 + 1.5% monthly interest

---

## Form 5472 Penalty Structure

Source: [Miss Form 5472?](https://www.globalsolo.global/blog/what-happens-if-you-miss-form-5472-non-resident-llc)

| Event | Penalty Exposure |
|---|---|
| LLC formed, no Form 5472 filed for year 1 | $25,000 |
| Year 2 passes, no filing for year 2 either | $50,000 cumulative |
| IRS notice received, 90-day clock starts | $50,000 + accruing |
| 120 days after notice, still not filed | $75,000+ |

### Filing Costs

| Method | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| CPA (standalone) | $500-2,000/yr |
| Firstbase add-on | $899/yr |
| Doola Total Compliance | $1,999/yr |
| Self-preparation | $0 (accuracy risk) |

### Key Facts
- Required for every foreign-owned single-member LLC, annually, regardless of revenue
- Filed with pro forma Form 1120 (shows zeros for income/tax)
- Due April 15 following calendar year; 6-month extension available via Form 7004
- Obligation starts from year of formation, not first revenue
- IRS detects via EIN records (foreign responsible party), bank account reporting, FATCA/CRS exchange
- Penalty abatement possible through reasonable cause but is discretionary
- A founder with a $500 capital contribution and zero revenue faces the same $25,000 penalty as one with $500,000 in transactions

---

## Payment Processor Comparison (2026 Data)

Source: [Stripe vs Paddle vs Lemon Squeezy](https://www.globalsolo.global/blog/stripe-vs-paddle-vs-lemon-squeezy-2026)

| Feature | Stripe | Paddle | Lemon Squeezy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base fee | 2.9% + 30c | 5% + 50c | 5% + 50c |
| Model | Payment processor | Merchant of Record | Merchant of Record |
| VAT/sales tax handling | You handle it | They handle it (200+ jurisdictions) | They handle it |
| 1099-K reporting | Yes (to IRS) | No (they are the seller) | No (they are the seller) |
| International fee | +1.5% for non-US cards | Included in 5% | Included in 5% |

### Key Facts
- Stripe 2.9% is cheapest per-transaction but you handle VAT/sales tax compliance yourself
- Paddle/Lemon Squeezy 5% includes VAT collection and remittance in 200+ jurisdictions
- For EU B2C digital sales above EUR 10,000, VAT obligations exist in up to 27 member states
- UK digital services VAT (20%) has no registration threshold for non-established businesses
- MoR platforms simplify tax reporting: you report net payout as revenue, not gross sales
- 2026 1099-K threshold: $5,000 in gross payments (down from $20,000)

---

## Registered Agent Costs (2026 Data)

Source: [6 Registered Agent Services Compared](https://www.globalsolo.global/blog/northwest-vs-zenbusiness-vs-bizee-registered-agent-comparison-2026)

| Service | Year 1 | Year 2+ | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Registered Agent | $125 | $125/yr | $375 |
| Bizee (formerly Incfile) | $0 (with formation) | $119/yr | $238 |
| ZenBusiness | $0 (with formation) | $199/yr | $398 |
| Stripe Atlas (bundled) | Included in $500 | $100/yr | $200 + formation |

### Key Facts
- Every US LLC is required by state law to maintain a registered agent — no exceptions
- Non-residents cannot serve as their own registered agent (requires physical presence in state)
- If registered agent lapses, state dissolves LLC within 30-90 days
- Northwest charges flat $125/yr with no introductory discount — most predictable pricing
- ZenBusiness jumps from $0 to $199/yr at renewal — largest price increase
- A registered agent is not a virtual mailbox and not a virtual office — different legal functions

---

## FBAR Threshold and Penalties

Source: [FBAR for Digital Nomads](https://www.globalsolo.global/blog/fbar-for-digital-nomads-the-10k-threshold-trap)

| Violation Type | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|
| Non-willful | $10,000 per account, per year |
| Willful | Greater of $100,000 or 50% of account balance, per account, per year |
| Criminal (willful) | $250,000 fine and/or 5 years imprisonment |

### Key Facts
- Threshold: aggregate maximum value of all foreign accounts exceeds $10,000 at any point during the year
- "Aggregate" = all foreign accounts combined, not per account
- "Maximum" = highest balance during the year, not year-end balance
- Wise, Revolut, and other fintech platforms count as foreign financial accounts
- Filed electronically via BSA E-Filing (FinCEN Form 114), not with IRS
- Due April 15, automatic extension to October 15
- Both the individual owner AND the LLC may have independent FBAR filing obligations
- Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures: no penalty for taxpayers living abroad, 5% for US residents

### FBAR vs Form 8938 (FATCA)
| Feature | FBAR (FinCEN 114) | Form 8938 (FATCA) |
|---|---|---|
| Filed with | FinCEN (not IRS) | IRS (attached to tax return) |
| Threshold (US residents) | $10,000 aggregate | $50,000 on last day / $75,000 at any time |
| Threshold (living abroad) | $10,000 aggregate | $200,000 on last day / $300,000 at any time |

---

## EIN and ITIN for Non-Residents

Source: [EIN vs ITIN](https://www.globalsolo.global/blog/difference-between-ein-and-itin-non-resident-founders)

| | EIN | ITIN |
|---|---|---|
| Identifies | US business entity | Foreign individual |
| Format | XX-XXXXXXX | 9XX-XX-XXXX |
| Who needs it | Every US LLC | Only if individual has US tax obligations |
| Application | Form SS-4 (fax/phone/mail) | Form W-7 (with tax return) |
| Cost | Free | Free |
| Processing | Same-day (phone), 4-8 weeks (fax) | 7-11 weeks (mail) |
| Used on Form 5472 | Yes (entity ID) | No |
| Used on Form W-8BEN | No | Yes (treaty benefits) |

### Key Facts
- EIN is needed within days of formation (to open bank account). ITIN can wait.
- Non-residents can get EIN by calling IRS at (267) 941-1099 (same-day) or faxing Form SS-4 to (855) 641-6935 (4-8 weeks)
- ITIN requires attaching a federal tax return (Form 1040-NR) — cannot apply "just to have one"
- Using a Certifying Acceptance Agent avoids mailing original passport to IRS

---

## BOI Filing Status (March 2026)

Source: [BOI Filing for Non-Resident LLCs](https://www.globalsolo.global/blog/boi-filing-non-resident-llc-do-you-need-to-file)

### Key Facts
- US-formed LLCs are EXEMPT from federal BOI filing (FinCEN March 2025 interim final rule)
- Only foreign entities registered to do business in a US state must file
- New York LLC Transparency Act (effective January 2026) requires state-level disclosure — separate from federal
- Non-filing penalties for foreign entities: up to $606/day (civil), $10,000 + 2 years (criminal)
- BOI exemption does NOT affect Form 5472, state annual reports, or other compliance obligations

---

## EOR Comparison (2026 Data)

Source: [Deel vs Oyster vs Remote](https://www.globalsolo.global/blog/deel-vs-oyster-vs-remote-eor-comparison-2026)

| Feature | Deel | Oyster | Remote |
|---|---|---|---|
| EOR pricing | ~$599/employee/month | ~$599/employee/month | ~$599/employee/month |
| Countries covered | 150+ | 190+ | 80+ (owned entities) |
| Entity ownership | Mix of owned + partners | Partners | Owns 80+ entities directly |
| Contractor management | From $49/month | Free tier available | From $29/contractor/month |

---

## Estimated Tax Payments for US Citizens Abroad

Source: [Estimated Tax Payments Abroad](https://www.globalsolo.global/blog/estimated-tax-payments-abroad)

### Key Facts
- FEIE excludes up to ~$130,000 from income tax but does NOT eliminate self-employment tax (15.3%)
- A founder earning $120,000 abroad still owes ~$16,956 in SE tax (~$4,239/quarter)
- The 2-month automatic extension for expats delays annual filing, NOT quarterly estimated payments
- Safe harbor: pay 100% of prior-year tax (110% if AGI > $150,000) to avoid penalties
- Ignoring estimated payments costs ~$1,500-2,100/year in avoidable penalties and interest

---

## Interactive Tools

- [Formation Services Comparison](https://www.globalsolo.global/tools/compare/formation): Side-by-side comparison of 6+ formation services
- [Banking Comparison](https://www.globalsolo.global/tools/compare/banking): Compare Mercury, Wise, Relay, Payoneer
- [Payment Processor Comparison](https://www.globalsolo.global/tools/compare/payments): Compare Stripe, Paddle, Lemon Squeezy, PayPal
- [EOR Comparison](https://www.globalsolo.global/tools/compare/eor): Compare Deel, Oyster, Remote
- [Jurisdiction Comparison](https://www.globalsolo.global/tools/compare/jurisdictions): Compare US states and international jurisdictions
- [Formation Cost Calculator](https://www.globalsolo.global/tools/calculate/formation-cost): Model 5-year LLC costs
- [Transfer Fee Calculator](https://www.globalsolo.global/tools/calculate/transfer-fees): Compare cross-border transfer fees
- [EOR Cost Calculator](https://www.globalsolo.global/tools/calculate/eor-cost): Compare EOR costs across providers and countries
- [Tax Filing Cost Calculator](https://www.globalsolo.global/tools/calculate/tax-filing): Estimate annual tax compliance costs
- [Free Risk Check](https://www.globalsolo.global/tools/risk-check): 7-question structural risk screening (free, no account needed)

## About

- [How We Make Money](https://www.globalsolo.global/about/how-we-make-money): Revenue from affiliate commissions, not advertising and not paid placements
- [Methodology](https://www.globalsolo.global/about/methodology): Evidence basis for editorial picks — direct use > founder conversations > regulatory sources > partner research
- [About Jett Fu](https://www.globalsolo.global/about/jett-fu): 20+ years cross-border business, founder of AirPop and Global Solo
- [Pricing](https://www.globalsolo.global/pricing): Free risk check and free META Diagnostic — no paywall, revenue is affiliate-based