Company formation in Delaware, USA
LLC (or C-Corp for VC funding)
Legal minimum, year 1£475
Legal minimum, per year after£350
Typical year 1£1,455
Corporation tax21%Ease Banking
Every fee
Setting up
Government fee£85
$110 Certificate of FormationRegistered agent£40 to 230
Required$50 to $300
Formation service£0 to 230
Optional
EIN application service£0 to 150
OptionalFree if you file SS-4 yourself
US mailing address£0 to 200
Optional
Share capitalNone
Time to form1 to 3 days (EIN extra)
Running it, per year
Delaware LLC annual tax£310
Required$400 from 2026 tax year
Registered agent£40 to 230
Required
Form 5472 and pro forma 1120£0 to 800
RequiredMandatory filing; free if you do it yourself
US mailing address£0 to 200
Optional
Legal minimum after year 1£350
Audit: NoneForeign ownersNo local director; registered agent in Delaware requiredFully remote; EIN for foreign owners can take 2 to 6 weeks
TaxLLC is pass-through; C-Corp 21% federal. No DE tax on out-of-state activityDividend withholding: 30% (reduced by treaty, 15% UK individual)VAT/GST: No sales tax in DE
BankingMercury, Relay, Wise work remotely once EIN is issued; traditional banks want a US visit
Foreign-owned single-member LLCs must file Form 5472 plus pro forma 1120 every year; $25,000 penalty for missing it.
Questions
- How much does it cost to set up a company in Delaware, USA?
- The legal minimum for the first year is £475, counting only what the law requires and doing every filing yourself. A typical first year, with an accountant, costs about £1,455. The government fee is £85 ($110 Certificate of Formation). Share capital is not included.
- How much does it cost per year to run a company in Delaware, USA?
- The legal minimum after the first year is £350 a year. Running costs including optional and practically needed services range from £350 to 1,540. Audit: None.
- Do I need a local director in Delaware, USA?
- No. No local director; registered agent in Delaware required.
- Can a non-resident form a company in Delaware, USA remotely?
- Yes. Fully remote; EIN for foreign owners can take 2 to 6 weeks.
- What is the corporation tax rate in Delaware, USA?
- LLC is pass-through; C-Corp 21% federal. No DE tax on out-of-state activity. Dividend withholding: 30% (reduced by treaty, 15% UK individual). VAT/GST: No sales tax in DE.
- How long does it take to form a company in Delaware, USA?
- 1 to 3 days (EIN extra).
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