US tax treatyYesVerified 2026-08-27
The UK has a US income tax treaty (IRS treaty list). Whether you can actually use it for LLC income is exactly where the classification catch below bites.
Source: IRS — United States income tax treaties A to Z
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US LLC from United Kingdom
Country dossier · 4 facts on file · audited 2026-08-27
Form FS-04 · Country dossier: GBUnited Kingdom · Not a government filing
UK founders do not need a US LLC for payments — Stripe supports UK companies directly. The draw is US clients, USD rails, and US marketplaces. Before you form one, know the UK-side catch: HMRC's default view of a US LLC is the opposite of the IRS's, and that mismatch can cost real money.
Stripe (domestic)Fully supportedVerified 2026-08-27
The UK is on Stripe's fully supported list — a UK limited company takes Stripe payments directly. If payments are your only motive, you do not need a US entity.
Source: Stripe — global availability page
HMRC classification"Opaque" — mismatch riskVerified 2026-08-27
HMRC's entity-classification list treats the US LLC as opaque — company-like, with members taxed on distributions — while the US taxes a default LLC as a pass-through. The mismatch can produce double taxation or lost credit for US tax paid. UK-resident founders should price in advice before choosing an LLC over a C-corp.
Source: HMRC International Manual INTM180030 — entity classification list
US fintech bankingOpenSourced 2026-08-27
The UK is not on Mercury's prohibited-countries list, and Wise (UK-headquartered) fully supports UK residents. Banking is the easy step from the UK.
Source: Mercury prohibited-countries policy (corroborated); Wise eligibility
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Questions from the United Kingdom desk
Filed under: GB · not legal or tax advice
Can UK founders own a US LLC?
Yes. Forming and owning a US LLC requires no US citizenship, residency, visa, or visit — you file online from United Kingdom and appoint a registered agent in your chosen state. The wizard walks the exact steps for non-US founders.
Does United Kingdom have a tax treaty with the United States?
The UK has a US income tax treaty (IRS treaty list). Whether you can actually use it for LLC income is exactly where the classification catch below bites.
What does a US LLC cost from United Kingdom?
State fees differ by hundreds of dollars across the 51 US jurisdictions and change often — so we never quote them in prose. The True Cost Calculator shows every state's filing fee, recurring fees, and a 3-year total, each figure dated and checked against the state's official schedule.
Does a US LLC change my taxes in United Kingdom?
No US entity removes your home-country obligations: you remain a United Kingdom tax resident, and local rules on foreign companies apply on top of the US side. Treat the dossier above as a map of what to ask a licensed adviser in United Kingdom — not as advice.