Start a US company from Iraq

Yes. US law doesn't require an LLC's owners to be US citizens or residents, and formation and the EIN happen remotely. The Iraqi questions are how work you do here is taxed, and who will bank the company.

Not broadly. OFAC's overview of its Iraq-related sanctions says there are no broad-based sanctions against Iraq; they name people and entities. Banks still apply extra checks, and the FATF lists Iraq among jurisdictions under increased monitoring, as of 19 June 2026.

It can be. All income derived from Iraq is taxed here, whoever receives it. A foreign company doing business in Iraq registers with the General Commission for Taxes and pays 15%. Whether your work counts is for your tax adviser.

It isn't settled. PwC's summary says residents are taxed on worldwide income, and also that residents' income from abroad is taxable when it comes from funds held in Iraq. Ask your adviser which applies.

After four continuous months here, or six months in all during the fiscal year. Personal income is taxed at 3% to 15%.

Fewer than most guides suggest. Mercury and Relay don't serve people living in Iraq, and Wise gives them no USD account details. Ask each provider before you order, and send complete documents.

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 Iraqi filings are separate. Wyoming's license tax can be more than its $60 minimum.

A Wyoming LLC suits an owner-run business selling to US customers, once a bank will open for 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.

No. Iraq is on Mercury's list of countries it doesn't serve, and the list goes by where you live, not your passport.

For Stripe itself, usually yes, because Stripe doesn't list Iraq. But a US Stripe account needs a US bank account, and Mercury won't open for you. Find the bank before you count on Stripe.

Generally not. Pay for work you do in Iraq 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–Iraq 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 Iraqi filings 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.