Banking, Addresses, Payment Processors, Tax Filing, and Document Legalization FAQs

## Open a U.S. business bank account as a non-US founder You can open a US business bank account as a non-US founder with doola's support, and you do not need to be physically present in the US to do it. Bank requirements can still vary by provider. To get started, complete the process in this order: 1. **Form a US company first.** Non-US founders typically need a US company before opening a US business bank account. 2. **Get an EIN from the IRS.** This is your business tax ID and is usually required for the bank application. 3. **Choose a bank that works for non-US founders.** doola primarily recommends **Mercury**. If Mercury is not a fit for your country or business, **Slash** is the next option, followed by **Relay**. 4. **Use your Registered Agent address where the bank allows it.** Requirements can vary by bank. 5. **Prepare your verification documents.** This can include: - Certificate of Formation - EIN confirmation - Operating Agreement - Founder ID, such as a passport - Optionally, proof of business activity such as a website, invoices, or payment receipts 6. **Complete the application carefully.** Enter your company and founder details exactly as they appear on your legal documents. 7. **Complete any extra verification the bank requests.** This may include a selfie or proof of address. 8. **Wait for review and approval.** This is typically about **1–7 business days**. 9. **Access and fund your account once approved.** You can fund it via wire transfer, ACH, or payment processors like Stripe or PayPal. 10. **Plan for card delivery.** Physical debit cards are usually shipped only to US addresses. 11. **Stay compliant afterward.** Keep your RA address current, file annual reports, and keep accurate records for IRS reporting. If you are comparing banking with payment processors, note that **PayPal usually requires an SSN or ITIN**, even though a bank like **Mercury may not**. ## Use the right address type for banking and Amazon ### Can you use your Registered Agent address for Amazon Seller account registration? No. Your **Registered Agent (RA) address** cannot be used for your Amazon Seller account. It is reserved for receiving official state and legal correspondence, not for Amazon's business address requirement. - **If you use Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA):** a virtual business address is enough for your account's business address. You do not need a separate US returns address unless you later switch to self-fulfillment. - **If you self-fulfill orders:** you need a real US returns or warehouse address that can physically receive and process packages. A virtual address only works if that service accepts packages and handles returns for you. ### Can you use the doola-provided business address for your Amazon store? - **For FBA:** doola's provided virtual business address is enough for your account's business address. - **For self-fulfillment:** doola's business address can receive letters but cannot process physical packages, so you will need a dedicated returns or warehouse address. - In either case, your **Registered Agent address cannot be used** for this purpose. ### Can you use your registered agent or virtual office address for a bank account? Usually not. Most banks and states require a **real physical address** for verification, and registered agent or virtual addresses often do not qualify on their own. Your registered agent address serves a different purpose. It is where official legal and compliance mail goes, such as: - state notices - legal documents - service of process - compliance letters - tax reminders If you also need a US mailing address for banking, EIN, or compliance correspondence, doola may provide one depending on your plan. If your bank specifically needs a verifiable physical address, a compliant option may still be required. ## Do not use someone else's SSN to get an EIN The IRS does **not** allow using a nominee's SSN to get an EIN. Every EIN application must disclose the **true responsible party** — the actual principal officer, general partner, grantor, owner, or trustor of the business, not a stand-in. ## Use Stripe or another payment processor with a U.S. LLC as a non-resident As a non-resident, you can use **Stripe** or another payment processor with your US LLC. US LLCs have no citizenship or residency requirements for ownership, so this is not a legal barrier. To set up smoothly, you will need: 1. **An EIN for your LLC** 2. **A valid US business address** (not your registered agent address) 3. **A US business bank account** such as Mercury or Relay 4. **Current tax filings** With those in place, use your EIN, business address, and bank account to create your Stripe account and complete verification. ### Other payment options - **PayPal** typically requires an **SSN or ITIN** and may ask for extra verification from international founders. - **Stripe** does **not** require an **SSN or ITIN**, which is why it is often the faster option to set up. - **Shopify Payments** needs your EIN, business address, and banking details if you run a Shopify store. - A **US bank account is not required to open** a PayPal or Stripe account, but you **will need one to receive payouts** from either. ### Documents you may be asked for - EIN letter - Articles of Organization - Operating Agreement - Passport or ID - Bank account information - A functioning website with clear product descriptions and a refund policy If your application is rejected, document inconsistencies are the most common cause. Double-check the setup requirements above. ## Company status and plan changes ### Can you pause your company with the state after it is formed? Not exactly. Once your company is formed, the state treats it as ongoing indefinitely by default. There is **no formal "pause" option**. Your company either: - stays **active** and keeps its annual filing obligations, or - gets **dissolved**, either because you file for dissolution or because the state administratively dissolves it if you stop paying annual dues. ### Can you upgrade or downgrade your doola plan later? Yes. You can **upgrade, downgrade, or switch your billing cycle** at any time from: **Account Settings → Billing** ## Entity support limits ### Can you use doola if you set up an LLP in India? No. doola only sets up and supports **US entities** — **LLCs and C-Corps**. It does not work with an Indian LLP or help form one. ## Invoice currency support doola's invoicing platform currently supports **USD only**. You cannot change the invoice currency to **EUR** or another currency from the invoice screen. If you need to bill a non-USD amount, convert it to the **USD equivalent externally**, then create and send the invoice for that USD amount. ## Document authentication and legalization An **apostille**, **US Department of State authentication**, and **embassy legalization** are three different services. Make sure you are requesting the correct one before ordering. ### What doola can provide - An **apostilled copy of your Articles of Organization** for **$499**, when an apostille is the correct document for your situation. ### What doola does not provide - **US Department of State authentication** - **Embassy legalization** for any country - A partner recommendation for embassy legalization ### Important note about Certificate of Good Standing The **$149 Certificate of Good Standing** gives you a **Wyoming PDF copy**. It is **not** a certified paper original with a seal. Before ordering, confirm with the receiving authority — such as the embassy, institution, or government agency requesting the document — which of the three they actually require. An apostille is **not automatically accepted** as a substitute for Department of State authentication or embassy legalization. ## SIM and eSIM purchases You are responsible for purchasing your own **SIM or eSIM service**. doola does not buy, order, or pay for mobile phone service on your behalf and does not act as an intermediary for it. If you need mobile service as part of setting up your business, get it directly from the provider using your own account and payment method. ## Tax filing and annual state charges ### Do foreign-owned U.S. LLCs need to file federal taxes if they had zero revenue? Yes. Foreign-owned US LLCs must file **annual federal** and usually **state** tax returns regardless of income, including years with **zero revenue**. This generally means: - **Form 5472**, plus - an annual return such as **Form 1120** or **1120-S**, depending on your entity's tax treatment If your ownership structure changes — for example, by adding a member or shareholder — that can trigger additional IRS paperwork, including **Form 8832** and updated **Form 5472/1120** filings. ### Do you have to pay franchise tax in Delaware or Wyoming? It depends on the state. - **Delaware:** every corporation must file an annual report and pay **franchise tax** for each year it existed, even if only for part of the year. - **Wyoming:** there is **no franchise tax**. Instead, LLCs pay an **annual report license tax**, which is the greater of: - a flat **$60**, or - **0.02%** of the value of assets located in Wyoming For most small LLCs without significant Wyoming-based assets, this works out to the **$60 minimum**.