Start a US company from Ecuador

Yes. US law doesn't require an LLC's owners to be US citizens or residents, and formation, the EIN and the bank applications all happen remotely. The Ecuadorian questions are the CFC rules, the remittance tax and where the work is done.

Not for free. Ecuador's remittance tax takes 5% of money transferred abroad, including from foreign bank accounts, and the 5% rate came back on 1 April 2024. Using the same currency saves the exchange, not the tax.

It can. Ecuador goes by incorporation, but a foreign company with a place or fixed centre here, where it develops its activities, has a permanent establishment. Corporate tax is generally 25%.

They can. Since 1 January 2024, a foreign company with an Ecuadorian-resident owner of 25% or more, taxed below 15%, is a CFC, and some of its income goes on your return. An LLC that pays no US tax of its own would be below 15%.

As part of your income. Residents are taxed on income generated abroad too, at progressive rates up to 37% in 2026, with a credit for tax paid abroad.

Since January 2024, some people without previous Ecuadorian tax residence pay tax only on Ecuadorian-source income, for five years. Whether you qualify is for your tax adviser.

Launch starts at $351.40: $249 for the plan plus $102.40 for the Wyoming filing. The plan and Wyoming's minimum yearly charge then total $309 a year. Your tax adviser's fees, US return preparation and Ecuadorian filings are separate. Wyoming's license tax can be more than its $60 minimum.

A Wyoming LLC suits an owner-run business that needs Stripe or sells to US customers, once you know how the CFC rules treat it. A Delaware C-Corp suits raising from US investors. Nonresident aliens can't hold shares in an S-corporation.

Yes. Without an SSN or ITIN, the application goes on Form SS-4 instead of the IRS's online tool. We prepare it after the company is formed, and the IRS issues the number.

Each stage has its own clock. Wyoming's published turnaround is same day once a complete filing is accepted. Our ordinary EIN estimate is six to eight weeks after the application, or two to three weeks with the $199 expedited option. Banks, payment providers and Stripe each set their own review times. These are estimates, not promises.

Usually you can apply. Ecuador isn't on Mercury's list of countries it doesn't serve, and the list goes by where you live. Mercury still reviews each company and can decline.

Not for USD account details. Ecuador isn't on Wise's list of places where people can hold money, so Wise gives none to founders living here. Mercury is the one to check first.

For Stripe itself, usually yes. Stripe doesn't list Ecuador among the countries it supports. A US LLC with an EIN and a US bank account can apply for a US Stripe account, and Stripe can decline.

Generally not. Pay for work you do in Ecuador is generally not US-source income, so a US company with no US office or staff often owes no US income tax on it. A single-owner LLC still files Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 when it has reportable transactions with you.

No. There's no US–Ecuador income tax treaty in force. US-source dividends, interest and royalties paid to you are withheld at 30% unless a US exemption applies.

On Launch and Operate, we add deadlines and reminders; you or your accountant file the federal returns. Managed annual state compliance is an optional $149 service fee a year, with the state's charge separate. Your Ecuadorian returns are for you and your tax adviser.

US-created companies are exempt under FinCEN's current BOI rule, effective 14 August 2026. A company formed outside the US and registered to do business there is a different case. Banks still collect ownership details for their own checks.