You don’t have to form your LLC where you live — you form it where it makes sense. For non-resident founders without a US office, three states come up again and again. Here’s how they actually differ.
The quick comparison
| Wyoming | New Mexico | Florida | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filing fee | $100 | $50 | $125 |
| Annual report | $60/yr | None | $138.75/yr |
| State income tax | |||
| Owner names public | |||
| Best for | Privacy + low upkeep | Cheapest, set-and-forget | US-facing business |
Pick by what you care about
🇺🇸Strong privacy, a business-friendly reputation, and modest upkeep. The default pick for founders who want a clean, private holding or operating company.
Form in Wyoming → 🇺🇸The cheapest to start and the lowest maintenance — there's no annual report at all. Great if you want to form once and barely think about it.
Form in New Mexico → 🇺🇸Worth it if your business is US-facing — customers, staff, or a real presence there. Owner names are public, and there's an annual report, but it's a credible home base.
Form in Florida →The honest answer
If you have no physical US presence, form where it’s cheap and private — Wyoming or New Mexico. Form in the state where you actually operate only if you genuinely operate there. Forming in a “famous” state you have no connection to usually just adds cost.
Whichever you choose, the formation itself is the same day with Taxly — and we’re your registered agent in all three.
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