Notes for Founders
Guides and explainers on forming a US company, staying compliant, and running the business side of your business.
- How Much Does It Cost to Form an LLC in 2026? — LLC formation costs $35–$500 in state filing fees in 2026, plus recurring costs like registered agent service and annual reports. Full 50-state fee table inside.
- How to Form an LLC in Wyoming in 2026 (Step-by-Step Guide) — Form a Wyoming LLC in five steps: name your LLC, appoint a registered agent, file Articles of Organization ($100), create an operating agreement, and get an EIN.
- How to Form an LLC in Delaware in 2026 (Step-by-Step Guide) — Form a Delaware LLC in five steps: name your LLC, appoint a registered agent, file the Certificate of Formation ($110), create an operating agreement, and get an EIN.
- Wyoming vs. Delaware LLC: Which State Is Better in 2026? — Wyoming wins on cost ($60/yr vs $300/yr) and privacy; Delaware wins for startups raising venture capital. Side-by-side comparison table and decision guide.
- LLC Operating Agreement: Free Template & Complete Guide (2026) — A free LLC operating agreement template you can copy, plus a clause-by-clause guide: ownership, capital, profit splits, management, transfers, and dissolution.
- How to Get an EIN for Your LLC in 2026 (Free, Step by Step) — Get an EIN for your LLC free from the IRS: online with an SSN, or by fax/mail with Form SS-4 without one. Step-by-step instructions for US and non-US founders.
- What Does a Registered Agent Actually Do? — Every LLC and corporation is legally required to have a registered agent. Here is what they do, why states require them, and how to choose one.
- Wyoming LLC Benefits: Why Founders Choose Wyoming in 2026 — Wyoming LLC advantages: no state income tax, no franchise tax, $60 annual report, members kept off public filings, and the strongest charging-order protection.
- Wyoming LLC Registered Agent: Requirements & How to Choose One (2026) — Every Wyoming LLC must have a registered agent with a physical Wyoming street address. What the agent does, what it costs, and how to choose or change one.
- Best LLC Formation Services in 2026: Honest Pricing Comparison — Comparing LLC formation services in 2026 — Lovie, Northwest, ZenBusiness, LegalZoom, Bizee, Stripe Atlas — on real total cost, registered agent pricing, and what's actually included.
- How to Form a Delaware C-Corp in 2026 (Step-by-Step Guide) — Form a Delaware C-Corp in six steps: name, registered agent, Certificate of Incorporation, bylaws and board, stock issuance, and EIN. Fees, share structure, and franchise tax explained.
- Wyoming LLC for Non-Residents: Complete 2026 Guide — Non-US residents can form a Wyoming LLC with no SSN, no US address, and no visa. The full stack: formation, EIN by fax, US bank account, Stripe, and US tax obligations.
- Wyoming vs. Nevada vs. Delaware LLC: Which Is Best in 2026? — Three-way comparison of the big formation states: Wyoming wins on cost and privacy, Delaware on investor infrastructure, and Nevada rarely justifies its $425 entry cost.
- Delaware LLC Franchise Tax in 2026: How Much & When to Pay — Every Delaware LLC owes a flat $300 franchise tax, due June 1 each year — regardless of income or activity. Deadlines, penalties ($200 + 1.5%/month), and how to pay.
- LLC vs. C-Corp in 2026: Which Is Right for Your Business? — LLCs offer pass-through taxation and light formalities; C-Corps offer stock, investors, and QSBS. Comparison table, tax math, and a three-question decision framework.
- How to Dissolve an LLC in Delaware or Wyoming (2026 Guide) — Properly closing an LLC takes more than walking away: wind up debts, file final taxes, then file a Certificate of Cancellation ($200, Delaware) or Articles of Dissolution ($60, Wyoming).