US Company Formation from Singapore (2026): LLC or C-Corp, No US Income Tax Treaty, Singapore Tax on Foreign Income, Costs and Banking
Forming a US company from Singapore: no US–Singapore income tax treaty, 30% dividend withholding, how Singapore taxes foreign income, costs and banking.
Singapore is Asia's business hub, and many Singapore companies and founders, including regional headquarters of companies from India, Indonesia, Vietnam and beyond, expand to the USA to sell, hire and raise money. A US company can be formed from Singapore without travelling.
Two facts shape the choice for Singapore residents: there is no comprehensive income tax treaty between the USA and Singapore, and Singapore taxes on a territorial basis, with special rules for foreign income received in Singapore. This guide explains how US company formation from Singapore works.
Short answer: a Singapore resident can own 100% of a US LLC or corporation, formed remotely, and a Singapore company can own a US subsidiary. With UCB, a Delaware corporation with EIN is $308 all-in, and a Wyoming LLC with EIN is $249. With no US–Singapore income tax treaty, dividends from a US corporation to a Singapore shareholder face 30% US withholding, and US tax on business profits depends only on US domestic rules. Singapore taxes income arising in or received in Singapore; foreign-sourced income received by individuals is generally exempt, while companies have their own exemption conditions. Startups raising from US investors use a Delaware C-Corporation; confirm the Singapore side with an adviser.
Can a resident of Singapore own a US company?
Yes. US states place no restriction on the nationality or residence of owners. Singapore citizens, permanent residents and residents of Singapore can own 100% of a US LLC or corporation, be its only manager or director, and form it entirely remotely, with no US visa, Social Security number or US address. Every US company needs a registered agent in its state, included for the first year in every UCB formation. See registered agent explained.
Why founders in Singapore form a US company
- US investors, who expect a Delaware C-Corporation, sometimes as the parent of a Singapore company. See raising US investment as a foreign founder.
- US customers and staff, through a US subsidiary. See US subsidiary for a foreign company.
- Dollar revenue and US payment platforms. See Stripe for non-residents.
The tax picture for residents of Singapore
No US–Singapore tax treaty
The USA has no income tax treaty with Singapore. Dividends from a US corporation to a shareholder resident in Singapore are withheld at the full 30%, whether business profits are taxed in the USA depends only on US domestic rules, and a W-8BEN from a resident of Singapore cannot claim treaty benefits. See W-8BEN-E vs W-8BEN explained.
On the US side: LLC or corporation?
| US LLC (single-member) | US C-Corporation | |
|---|---|---|
| US federal tax if all work is done from Singapore | Usually none | 21% of profits |
| US tax when profits are paid to the owner | None (not a dividend) | 30% withholding (no treaty) |
| Yearly federal filing | Form 5472 + pro forma 1120 | Form 1120 + Form 5472 |
| Investors | Most will not invest | Standard (Delaware) |
A single-member US LLC owned by a non-resident is ignored for US income tax. If you do all the work from Singapore, with no US office, employees or dependent agents, the income is usually not effectively connected with a US trade or business, and no US federal income tax is due. The LLC still files Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 every year, and missing it costs $25,000. A C-Corporation pays 21% on its profits wherever its people work, which suits startups raising US investment and businesses reinvesting in the USA. See effectively connected income explained, Form 5472 explained and LLC vs Inc for non-residents.
Without a treaty, the combination of 21% corporate tax and 30% dividend withholding makes a C-Corporation expensive for an owner who takes profits out regularly, so a US LLC usually suits freelancers, agencies, developers and e-commerce sellers. Startups raising from US investors still use a Delaware C-Corporation, because investors require it and profits are reinvested.
The Singapore side
Points for your Singapore adviser:
- Territorial taxation. Singapore taxes income accruing in or derived from Singapore, and foreign income received in Singapore. Foreign-sourced income received by individuals (other than through a Singapore partnership) is generally exempt; Singapore companies receiving foreign dividends or profits can be exempt if conditions are met.
- No US treaty. Without a treaty, a US corporation's dividends to a Singapore owner face 30%, which matters for profits paid up from a US subsidiary.
- Where the company is managed. A company whose control and management is exercised in Singapore is Singapore tax resident.
- A Singapore company owning the US company needs transfer pricing.
We handle the US side; your Singapore adviser confirms the Singapore side.
Which US state?
- Wyoming: the usual choice for freelancers, agencies and online businesses run from abroad, with low yearly costs and owners' names kept off the formation filing. See Wyoming LLC for non-residents.
- New Mexico: no annual report at all. See New Mexico LLC for non-residents.
- Delaware: for a corporation that will raise from US investors. See Delaware LLC for non-residents.
- Florida, Texas or New York: when the business will have an office, warehouse, staff or property there. See Florida, Texas and New York.
Try our state selector or read best state for non-residents.
What it costs
| With UCB | |
|---|---|
| Wyoming LLC with EIN, all-in | $249 |
| Wyoming LLC with EIN and US bank account application | $348 |
| Delaware corporation with EIN, all-in | $308 |
| Keeping a Wyoming LLC active each year | $121 |
| Keeping it active plus the yearly federal return | $421 |
| US business address add-on (own suite number) | $60 a year |
State fees and the first-year registered agent are included in our formation prices, with nothing added for the state. See what a US LLC costs every year and the cost calculator.
Documents you need
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport | Valid passport, clear colour scan |
| NRIC or Employment Pass | Sometimes requested by banks |
| Proof of address | A recent utility bill or bank statement |
| Company name and business description | Two or three names; a specific description of what the company does |
| Home company documents | Only if your company at home will own the US company |
No SSN, ITIN or US address is needed to form the company or obtain its EIN. See EIN for non-residents.
Banking and payments
Singapore residents are generally well served by US banks and fintechs that accept remote applications. Consistent details, a clear description and a US business address with your own suite number help.
See US business bank accounts for non-residents, why banks reject non-resident applications and Stripe for non-residents.
Worked examples
These are illustrative examples, not client cases.
Example 1: the Singapore holding company. A Singapore Pte Ltd forms a Delaware subsidiary to employ US sales staff. Because there is no treaty, it plans how profits will be used in the USA rather than paid up as dividends at 30%.
Example 2: the regional startup. Singapore founders raising from US investors form a Delaware C-Corporation above their Singapore company, with lawyers handling the structure.
Example 3: the consultant. A Singapore-resident consultant with US clients forms a Wyoming LLC; their adviser confirms how Singapore treats the income received.
Common mistakes
- Assuming a US–Singapore income tax treaty reduces withholding; there is none.
- Paying dividends from a US subsidiary without planning for 30% withholding.
- Ignoring where the US company is managed.
- Ignoring Form 5472 because the LLC owes no US tax.
- Using the registered agent's address as the business address on bank applications.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a US–Singapore tax treaty? There is no comprehensive income tax treaty, so US withholding on dividends to Singapore residents is 30%.
Can my Singapore company own the US company? Yes. The US company becomes a subsidiary, with transfer pricing between them.
Can I form a US company from Singapore without visiting the USA? Yes. Formation, the EIN and bank applications are all done remotely. See open a US company without visiting.
Do I need an ITIN? Usually not for a single-member LLC or its EIN. See what is an ITIN and who needs one.
How UCB helps founders in Singapore
We form US LLCs and corporations for residents of Singapore remotely, all-in: a Wyoming LLC with EIN is $249, and our formation, EIN and bank account package is $348. Each year we keep the company active and file its federal return through our US tax filing service, working alongside your Singapore tax adviser, who confirms the Singapore side. If an LLC or a corporation clearly suits your plans better, we will tell you which and why. See also US company formation from Malaysia and forming a US company from abroad: country guide.
Expanding from Singapore to the USA? WhatsApp us at +91 8105 199 399 or email enquiries@ucbsolutions.com, and we will recommend the right structure and state for you.
Let our experts handle it for you
Every business is different. Message us with your country, business type and goals, and we will recommend the right structure, state and package. We do the work; you focus on your business.
This article is general information for non-resident business owners and is not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change; contact us to confirm what applies to your situation.
