Yourself, a service or FIAON Global? Three routes to a US company.

You can form a US company yourself, through a formation service or with FIAON Global. The difference lies not in the formation itself but in everything that follows: taxes, filings, account, cards — and who coordinates it all.

In brief

Anyone who forms a US company themselves pays only the fees, but deals separately with the state, the registered agent, the IRS, a lawyer, a tax adviser, a US CPA, banks and issuers. A formation service handles the formation but usually leaves taxes, account and cards to the client. FIAON Global coordinates everything in one place, at a fixed price that includes the partner fees.

The three routes compared

“Formation service” describes the usual offering on the market; individual providers may differ.

Formation with the state · Form it yourself: yourself · Formation service: included · FIAON Global: included
Registered agent and address · Form it yourself: book it yourself · Formation service: usually included, often as a subscription · FIAON Global: first year included
EIN · Form it yourself: apply yourself · Formation service: often included · FIAON Global: included
ITIN · Form it yourself: yourself, with an acceptance agent · Formation service: rarely included · FIAON Global: included
Review by a tax adviser before formation · Form it yourself: arrange it yourself · Formation service: not included · FIAON Global: included
Operating agreement by a lawyer · Form it yourself: template, or instruct a lawyer yourself · Formation service: usually a template · FIAON Global: by our partner lawyer
First US filing (Form 5472) · Form it yourself: yourself, or engage a US CPA · Formation service: often at extra cost · FIAON Global: included, by our US CPA
Account and card applications · Form it yourself: yourself · Formation service: rarely · FIAON Global: prepared; from Global Banking onwards, each additional one too
One contact for everything · Form it yourself: no · Formation service: no · FIAON Global: yes

When each route fits

Yourself — If you have the time — and the experience: Anyone who knows the US forms, has a tax adviser with US experience and needs only one company will find doing it themselves the cheapest route.
Formation service — If only the company matters: Anyone who is not planning an account, cards or building capital is well served by a pure formation service.
FIAON Global — If everything has to fit together: For anyone who wants the company, tax numbers, account, cards and capital coordinated by a single party — with partner fees included in the fixed price.

The real difference

Formation with the state is a single form. What makes a US company expensive is what comes afterwards: a missed Form 5472, an account that fails on inconsistent documents, a card ladder without a plan, a tax liability in your home country that nobody checked beforehand. Tax advisers, US CPAs and lawyers from our partner network act under your engagement — FIAON pays their fees for the services in your package.

The four packages

Fixed price, one-off — everything needed for your package is included.

Frequently asked questions

Is FIAON Global more expensive than a formation service?

Yes, if you only need the company. In return, the fixed price from €2,499 includes the review by the tax adviser, the operating agreement by the lawyer, EIN, ITIN, the first US filing and the preparation of the account and card applications.

Can I form the company myself and engage FIAON only for the account and cards?

No. The packages begin with the formation, because account and card applications only succeed with documents that fit together from the start.

Does FIAON name its competitors?

No. The comparison describes the usual offering on the market, not individual providers.

Read on

What a US company costs. One-off and annual — stated openly. – What a US LLC costs: state fees in Florida, Delaware and Wyoming, running costs from year two and the FIAON Global fixed price — with sources.
Which package fits? Four questions, one clear answer. – Four questions on goal, capital range, time and support — the package finder shows which FIAON Global package fits you. No sign-up.
Reputable or not? The checklist before you engage anyone. – How to spot a reputable US formation provider: a registered contracting party, a fixed price, no tax or credit promises, partners admitted to practise.
US company formation. With a team on the ground, at a fixed price. – Your US company from Germany or Switzerland: LLC or corporation, EIN, ITIN, registered agent and address. Fixed price, all fees included.