How to form an LLC in Texas from abroad
Set up your company in the second-largest market in the US. No travel, no SSN. Sell-U handles everything.
Why Texas for your LLC?
- 0% state income tax: you only deal with the federal level.
- The second-largest market in the US, with a strong Latino presence.
- No fixed-fee Annual Report: just the Franchise Tax (usually $0 if your sales are modest).
- Ideal for e-commerce, logistics and businesses with US customers.
Why Texas?
Texas pairs a massive market with 0% state income tax and low recurring costs. There is no fixed-fee Annual Report: only the Franchise Tax, which is $0 for most small founders. If you sell to US customers and want a solid brand, Texas is a great home base.
0% state income tax
Texas does not tax income at the state level. Your LLC only deals with federal taxes; as a single-member non-resident with no physical activity in the US there is usually no federal payment, but you still must file Form 5472 + pro forma 1120 with the IRS every year.
A huge market
Texas is the second-largest economy in the US. Access to customers, suppliers, logistics and a very large Latino community, ideal for e-commerce and services.
Franchise Tax is almost always $0
There is no fixed-fee annual report. Franchise Tax is only due if your gross revenue exceeds about $2.47M a year; below that threshold you pay $0 (you just file the informational report).
How to open your Texas LLC: step by step
You can do the whole process on your own. Steps 2 and 4 are where foreign founders get stuck the most: that is where Sell-U takes over for you.
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01
Choose your LLC name
It must end in "LLC" or "L.L.C." and be unique in Texas. Check availability on the Texas Secretary of State portal.
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02
Appoint a Registered Agent in Texas
A person or company with a physical address in Texas that receives legal mail. It can’t be you if you live outside the US.
Sell-U handles it -
03
File the Articles of Organization
The document that forms your LLC with the Texas Secretary of State. Filing fee $300. Approval in 2–3 business days (online).
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04
Get your EIN from the IRS
The Employer Identification Number is the US equivalent of the RFC in Mexico or the NIT in Colombia. Without an SSN you must file Form SS-4 by fax or mail. It takes 4–8 weeks if you do it yourself.
Sell-U handles it -
05
Draft your Operating Agreement
It defines how your LLC runs: members, ownership percentages, decisions, distributions. It is not filed with the state, but banks and partners almost always ask for it.
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06
Open your bank account and start operating
With your active LLC and your EIN you can apply to fintechs like Mercury, Relay or Wise Business. The process is 100% remote. Keep in mind that approval depends on each financial institution and is not guaranteed. Sell-U can guide you through it.
What you’ll pay for your LLC next year.
No hidden fees. These are the real yearly costs of keeping your LLC in Texas.
| Item | Details | Amount USD | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Agent | Mandatory annual service for LLCs without a physical office in Texas. Cost varies by provider. | $50 – $300 | $50 – $300 |
| Franchise Tax + Public Information Report | Mandatory annual report filed with the Texas Comptroller. Most founders owe no tax (if gross revenue is under about $2.47M), but the informational report must still be filed. | $0 (under threshold) | Annual |
| Taxes and tax compliance | Tax filings and informational returns with the IRS, depending on structure and activity. | From $150 | Annual |
| Sales Tax Texas | Texas charges 6.25% state + up to 2% local. For non-residents with no physical nexus (warehouse, employee) and no significant economic nexus in Texas, it generally does not apply. Each case should be reviewed with a CPA. | 6.25% + local | It depends |
Sell-U includes the EIN and Operating Agreement in your formation package. You only pay the mandatory annual renewals.
Why Texas is tax-friendly.
Three numbers that matter when choosing a state. Texas LLCs are pass-through by default.
Texas does not tax income at the state level.
Your LLC only deals with federal taxes. As a single-member non-resident with no physical activity in the US there is usually no federal payment, but you still must file Form 5472 + pro forma 1120 with the IRS every year.
Applies if you have physical or economic nexus in Texas.
If you have no physical presence in Texas and stay under the economic threshold for sales to Texas customers, it generally does not apply. With a warehouse, an employee or sales over the threshold, you must register. Review it with a CPA.
$0 Franchise Tax for most founders.
Texas charges no Franchise Tax if your gross revenue is under about $2.47M a year. You still have to file the Public Information Report every May 15.
This is not tax advice. Each case depends on your residency and income. We work with partner CPAs who know the Latin American founder case.
What’s due every year (and the penalties if you forget).
Forming the LLC is just the beginning. These are the dates you need on your calendar.
| Obligation | Due date | Cost | Penalty for non-compliance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franchise Tax + Public Information Report | May 15 | $0 (under threshold) | $50 penalty + loss of good standing; possible administrative dissolution. |
| Registered Agent renewal | Your LLC anniversary | $125 | Loss of legal status |
| Federal taxes | April 15 | Depends on structure | $25,000 base IRS penalty for not filing Form 5472 |
| Sales Tax (if applicable) | Monthly or quarterly | Variable | Only applies with physical or economic nexus in Texas |
Forget the dates. Sell-U tracks them for you.
Annual Report, Registered Agent and tax reminders. We alert you 60 days before every deadline.
What matters, straight up.
Don’t see your question? Message us and a specialist will reply in under 24 hours, in English or Spanish.
Do I need an SSN or to live in the US to open my Texas LLC?
No. You can form your Texas LLC from any country in Latin America or Spain, with no SSN, no ITIN and no travel. You only need a Registered Agent with a physical address in Texas (Sell-U provides it), your passport and a mailing address.
How long until my LLC is up and running?
The Certificate of Formation is approved online in 2–3 business days. The EIN for founders without an SSN takes an extra 4–8 weeks if you file by fax or mail. With Sell-U the full process (LLC + EIN) usually wraps up in 4–6 weeks.
Will I have to pay the Texas Franchise Tax?
Only if your gross revenue exceeds about $2.47M a year. Below that threshold you pay $0, although you must file the Public Information Report every May 15. It is one of the big advantages of Texas over other states.
Can I open a bank account for my LLC without traveling to the US?
Yes. Digital banks like Mercury, Relay and Wise Business accept founders without an SSN as long as you have an active LLC, an EIN and a passport. The process is 100% remote, although approval depends on each institution.
Why Texas and not Florida or Wyoming?
Texas is ideal if you want a huge market and a brand with weight, with no fixed-fee annual report. Florida makes more sense if your customers or team are in Latin America and you want the Miami hub. Wyoming is the cheapest option for holding companies and maximum privacy.
Your Texas LLC, ready to operate.
Tell us about your business. A specialist will reach out in under 24 hours with a tailored plan and fixed pricing.
- LLC + EIN + Registered Agent, all included
- No SSN. No travel. 100% remote.
- Support in Spanish or English, Latin American hours
- Secure payment in USD, no hidden fees
Start your Texas LLC
Takes less than 2 minutes.