How to Work for US Companies from Abroad: Company, Tax ID and Bank Account

Updated 2026-10-02

Thousands of US companies and AI-training platforms hire remote contractors all over the world. You don't need a visa or to move to the US to work with them — but at some point you'll want a proper setup to get paid, open accounts and look like a serious contractor. This guide explains the typical path, step by step.

Do you actually need a US company?

Not always. Many platforms — Mercor, Outlier, micro1 and others — pay individual contractors abroad directly; you just fill in form W-8BEN. A US company becomes useful when:

• you work with several US clients directly and want to invoice as a business;
• a client or platform only pays US entities or US bank accounts;
• you want a US business bank account, Stripe or a US payment processor;
• you plan to grow into an agency or a product business.

Step 1. Get your ITIN

The ITIN is a personal US tax number for people who can't get a Social Security number. Many US banks, payment platforms and marketplaces ask for an SSN or ITIN, so in practice it opens a lot of doors. The IRS only issues it when you have a real federal tax reason (for example, a US tax return you need to file or a treaty benefit) — not "for convenience".

The easiest way is a Certifying Acceptance Agent. With TheITIN.com the whole process is online: they verify your passport remotely, prepare the forms and file them with the IRS — you don't have to mail any documents yourself. IRS processing usually takes 7–11 weeks. This is not the place to cut corners: a rejected application costs you months.

Get your ITIN online with TheITIN.com →

Step 2. Form a US LLC and get a registered agent

For a one-person business the usual choice is a single-member LLC. Good news: a foreign-owned single-member LLC that has no US-source business income often owes no US federal income tax — profits are generally taxed in the country where you live. It still has filing obligations (see Step 5), and some states charge annual fees, so pick the state with that in mind.

A popular choice is New Mexico: forming an LLC there costs about $92 all-inclusive through Northwest, and New Mexico has no annual report and no annual state fee for LLCs — so there is nothing to pay the state after formation.

Every LLC must have a registered agent — a company with a physical address in the state that receives official mail and legal notices for your LLC. Services like Northwest also give you a US address to use as your company's mailing address. The registered agent costs $125/year, and the first year is free when you form your LLC with Northwest.

Form your LLC with Northwest →

Then get an EIN for your company

The EIN is your company's tax number. You'll need it for bank accounts, payment platforms and client paperwork. It's free. With your ITIN you can usually apply online on irs.gov; without an ITIN, foreign owners can still file Form SS-4 by fax or mail and write "Foreign" in the SSN/ITIN field (typically 4–8 weeks by fax).

Step 3. Open a business bank account

With your LLC and EIN you can open an account for the company:

• Wise Business — multi-currency account, cheap conversion, US account details to receive ACH payments. Open Wise →
• Payoneer — many platforms pay directly to Payoneer. Open Payoneer →
• Mercury — a US business account that accepts non-US founders with a US LLC and EIN. Expect to provide your formation documents, EIN letter and passport. Open Mercury →

Be honest in every application: where you live, what your business does, where the money comes from. Approvals for foreign founders have become stricter, and residents of countries under US sanctions are not accepted by US banks and fintechs. If you're refused, try another provider — don't try to hide your location.

Step 4. Open a personal US bank account (if you qualify)

Some US banks, such as Capital One 360, offer free accounts and high-yield savings with no monthly fees. Most of them require a US residential address and an SSN or ITIN. Apply only if you genuinely meet the bank's requirements — using someone else's home address when you don't live there can get the account frozen and is treated as giving false information to a bank. Capital One 360 →

Planning to move to the US? Start building your credit score

In the US almost everything — renting an apartment, a phone plan, a car loan, even some jobs — depends on your credit score. If you plan to move, it pays to start building a credit history early with a US credit card and use it responsibly: small purchases, paid in full every month.

We can help you get your first US credit card. Which card and which bank depends on your documents, address and situation, so we cover this individually in the personal support below.

Step 5. Stay compliant every year

• Form 5472 + pro forma Form 1120 — required every year for a foreign-owned single-member LLC, even with zero income. Due April 15 (extendable to October 15). The penalty for not filing is $25,000 per form, per year.
• State annual report / fee — depends on the state.
• Registered agent renewal — keep it active, or the state can dissolve your LLC.
• Your home-country taxes — the income is usually taxable where you live.

Typical costs

Checklist

1. Decide whether you need a company or can be paid directly (W-8BEN).
2. Get your ITIN through an acceptance agent.
3. Form an LLC with a registered agent and get an EIN.
4. Open a business account: Wise, Payoneer or Mercury.
5. Open a personal US account if you meet the bank's requirements.
6. Put April 15 (Form 5472) and your state's annual report in your calendar.

Looking for work? Browse US jobs with visa sponsorship or remote AI trainer jobs you can do from any country.

This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and depend on your country and situation — check with a qualified accountant. Some links on this page are affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.