Guides for global founders.
Practical, no-jargon guides on forming and running your U.S. or U.K. company — from EIN to banking to staying compliant.
US Sales Tax for Non-Resident LLC Owners: When You Actually Owe It
If you own a US LLC from outside the United States and sell everything through Amazon, Etsy or eBay, the most likely answer is…
Read articleMercury Prohibited Countries: Full List (September 2026)
Mercury will not open an account for a founder living in any of 48 prohibited countries, plus four sanctioned countries and regions. The full…
Read articleDo You Have to File Form 1040-NR as a Non-Resident LLC Owner?
Here is the short version, and then the test, because the test is what actually decides it. Your foreign-owned US LLC has a filing…
Read articleForm W-8BEN vs W-9: Which Tax Form Do Non-US Owners Actually Sign?
Someone sent you a W-9 and asked you to "fill in the tax form." If you are not a US person, do not sign…
Read articleNever Filed Form 5472: What Happens Now and How to Catch Up
If you formed a US LLC from outside the United States and have never filed Form 5472, here is the short version. The penalty…
Read articleWho Must Be the EIN Responsible Party (And Why It Can’t Be a Nominee)
No. If a formation agent has offered to put their own name, a US friend, or a "nominee" on line 7a of your Form…
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