hello. this service and forum is great! however, i haven't yet been able to find the info that pertains to my maybe special case.
i am a us-citizen living in japan. i am creating a iphone application that i will sell mainly in the usa, but also internationally. i will start off as just a sole proprietor, but want to file a doing-business-as. also, i might convert to an llc in the very near future. i will have no employees.
since i dont live in the usa, where can i do a DBA? any state? same with the LLC? is there a particular state that makes either or both very easy to do online? i am hoping to start operating within 1-2 weeks, so online convenience is the best. i cannot appear in person... is that even possible?
looking forward to any insight and advice. thanks!!
Generally speaking, if you apply directly to any state for an LLC or other formal filing, you will need an address in that state. There are some companies that specialize in helping people through this legal maze. I use Harvard Business Services, and have been very happy with their knowledge and response time. If I were you, I would contact them and see what is, and what is not, required under your particular circumstances.
MaryAnnBusiness Plan MasterStart and Finance Your Business Now
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You actually 'can' do an L.L.C. while in Japan; however, you need a registered agent in that specific state. Most services like LegalZoom provide the option to have them set as the registered agent and will forward over all issues to you directly. You can go to any states secretary of state website to figure out how to register an LLC in that specific state.
ChristineL | Former Moderator |
9/23/2009 - 3:45 pm
Hi rpsd,
Have you checked out our Starting A Business Guide? It has useful information about registering, choosing a legal structure, taxes, licenses and permits.
Since you have questions about whether to do an LLC or not, I suggest your look into our Business Incorporation page. We also wrote an article about LLC v. S-corp, so feel free to check that out too.
Here are the DBA requirements for each state, so you can take a look.
Feel free to ask more questions!
Just a thought - do you have a legal residence in the U.S. for tax reporting and other purposes? Like you, my son lives abroad, in Scotland. He established his U.S. residence at my address and I have a signed power of attorney to handle any affairs that might need to be handled in the U.S. We also set up a U.S. bank account that he and I and his wife have access to. That way, if and when any funds come in I can deposit them then he can transfer them via on-line banking or ATM to his Scottish account. We did this as a safe guard 'just in case.' It has turned out to be a wise move because his wife is now working for her former employer as an independent contractor. She is paid in U.S. dollars sent to me for deposit.
thanks so much for the answers! i am now in the process of registering an LLC (in wyoming!). excited! thanks for helping out with this difficult, and a bit uncommon, question!
Fireplace-Guy had the perfect answer to your question.
So, yes you can register an LLC or a Sole Proprietorship in ANY state of your choosing. The requirement of registering a business entity, in any form (LLC or Sole Prop), is that you will have to appoint a registered agent, with an address.
In this case you cannot appoint yourself as the registered agent, as you are non-resident in the country. If you are residing in the U.S.A., you may even register yourself as the registered agent.
Organizations which provide incorporation and registration services will also provide the services of a registered agent for an annual fee.
All the best with your business venture.
hello,
yes i read the guide, but it does not answer my question. my main question again is this - i am a us citizen living in japan. i have no state residency. how do i do DBA or register an LLC? can i pick any state?
need to know as soon as possible. thank you so much for your help!
br,
.paul
BusPlanMaster | Window Shopper | 9/19/2009 - 12:43 pm
NicoleD | Former Moderator | 9/30/2009 - 1:47 pm
Fireplace-Guy | Creator | 9/27/2009 - 12:18 pm
ChristineL | Former Moderator | 9/23/2009 - 3:45 pm
BizResearcher | Window Shopper | 9/30/2009 - 12:13 pm
rpsd | Performer | 9/30/2009 - 11:44 am
gjosephus | Contributor | 9/30/2009 - 11:42 am
rpsd | Performer | 9/25/2009 - 11:47 am
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