How to open an LLC
from Argentina? 2025 Guide

Why open a U.S. LLC from Argentina?

For Argentine entrepreneurs, opening an LLC in the United States is not simply a matter of international expansion: it is a strategic necessity. The monetary instability of the peso, currency controls and limited access to the official dollar make owning a U.S. company one of the smartest financial decisions you can make today.

An LLC (Limited Liability Company) lets you get paid in dollars directly into a U.S. bank account, operate with Stripe, PayPal and other international platforms, and build a business structure with global credibility. The LLC also gives you limited liability protection: your personal assets are kept separate from the company's debts.

Documents required for Argentines

The good news is that the process is fully remote and does not require traveling to the United States. The documents you will need are minimal:

• Valid passport: this is the main identification document. It must be valid for at least 6 more months.
• Argentine CUIT or DNI: needed for certain banking procedures and for your tax return in Argentina.
• Mailing address: it can be your address in Argentina; it is used for the LLC's records.
• Email address and phone number: for communications and verifications by banking platforms.

Once the LLC is formed, you will need the EIN (Employer Identification Number), which is your company's tax ID with the IRS. Start Companies handles this process for you. You can read more in our article What is the EIN and why do you need it?

Taxes for Argentine residents with a U.S. LLC

This is the point that confuses Argentine entrepreneurs the most, and it is important to understand it well before you start operating.

U.S. taxes: what a non-resident LLC pays

A single-member LLC is a "disregarded entity" for the IRS: income and expenses flow directly to your personal tax return. If you are an Argentine resident with no physical presence in the U.S., and your services are performed outside U.S. territory, you generally do not pay U.S. federal income tax.

However, you do have reporting obligations: you must file Form 5472 together with a pro forma Form 1120 if the LLC had reportable transactions with foreign related parties. The penalty for not filing is $25,000 USD, which is why we recommend consulting a CPA. Read more in our article on taxes for non-resident LLCs.

Taxes in Argentina

As an Argentine tax resident, you are required to report your worldwide income to AFIP (Administración Federal de Ingresos Públicos, Argentina's federal tax authority). Income generated through your U.S. LLC must be reported in Argentina. The treatment depends on whether the income is considered foreign-source or whether there is a permanent establishment.

We strongly recommend getting advice from an accountant in Argentina who knows the rules on foreign-source income (Law 27.430).

Step-by-step process: how to open your LLC from Argentina

1. Choose the state: New Mexico for minimum costs, Wyoming for maximum privacy and protection.
2. Choose your LLC's name: it must end with "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company". Check availability in the state registry.
3. Hire a formation service: Start Companies handles the entire process from start to finish, including the mandatory registered agent.
4. Get your EIN: we file for it with the IRS on your behalf (a separate process that takes 2 to 6 weeks by mail for non-residents).
5. Open your bank account: with the LLC active and your EIN in hand, apply to Mercury, Relay or Lili.
6. Set up your payment tools: Stripe, PayPal Business, Wise Business — all accept non-resident LLCs.
7. Start operating: issue invoices from your LLC, get paid in dollars and manage everything remotely.