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E-commerce founders selling to US customers from outside the United States face a different set of decisions compared to service providers or SaaS founders. The wrong choice of entity, the wrong state, or a misunderstanding of where your inventory is located can turn a profitable dropshipping or Amazon FBA business into a tax and compliance … Read more

If you are a foreign founder who owns a US LLC, there is one IRS filing that can create a serious financial issue if it is missed. That filing is Form 5472. The penalty for missing it is $25,000 per year, per LLC. Many international founders only hear about it after the deadline has already … Read more

If you are a foreign entrepreneur considering a US LLC, you may have already read many articles saying it is “easy” to set up online for $99. Then you try it and quickly run into questions that most guides do not explain. Which state should you choose? How do you get an EIN without a … Read more

Building business credit from scratch is one of the most important financial steps for any entrepreneur aiming for long-term financial stability, improved access to funding, and a clear separation between personal and business finances. Unlike personal credit, business credit is directly linked to your company. It helps lenders, suppliers, and financial institutions assess your business’s … Read more

Forming a US LLC as a foreigner is one of the most practical ways to access the US business system without living in the United States. It allows international founders to operate a US-based company, receive payments in USD, and work with global clients under a recognised legal structure. The process is fully legal and … Read more

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a fundamental requirement for operating a US business entity such as an LLC or corporation. For non-resident entrepreneurs, one of the most common questions is whether an EIN can be obtained without a Social Security Number (SSN). The short answer is yes. The IRS allows non-US residents to apply … Read more

Opening a US bank account as a non-resident entrepreneur is often an important step when building a US-based company structure. It allows you to receive USD payments, manage business transactions efficiently, and work with US clients through a more organized financial system. However, the process is not always simple. Different banks follow different compliance policies, … Read more

Forming a U.S. LLC isn’t just a box to check—it’s a long-term decision. And for non-resident founders, choosing the wrong state could mean higher taxes, double registration, hidden costs, or bank account issues down the road. At James Baker CPA, we help international entrepreneurs register and maintain their U.S. companies with full compliance and no … Read more

When Ana, a designer in Spain, closed her biggest U.S. client yet, she celebrated. But the next morning, PayPal froze her account. Why?No U.S. LLC. No EIN. No valid business presence. Ana, like thousands of non-resident entrepreneurs, discovered that doing business with the U.S. requires more than talent. You need the right structure. This guide … Read more

María, a freelance designer in Bogotá, finally landed her first $10k U.S. contract.The client’s email was short: “Great—send us your U.S. bank details for payment.” Her heart sank. No U.S. bank account. No SSN. No trip to America planned.Game over? Not if you know the routes insiders use every day. This guide distills James Baker CPA’s 2026 update—watch … Read more