Forming a Wyoming LLC for German Indie Developers
German indie developers can incorporate a Wyoming LLC to manage US-based operations and access US banking services. This structure requires careful coordination with German tax obligations regarding foreign entity disclosure.
The process involves state formation, obtaining an EIN, and opening a Mercury business account. Compliance with US federal reporting requirements is mandatory for all foreign-owned single-member LLCs.
Model the full outlay, not just the setup fee
- SetupMercury (banking-only) setup$0.00
- AnnualYear 2 renewal$0.00
What the tax authority sees
Wyoming LLCs are treated as pass-through entities for US federal tax purposes, meaning income is generally not subject to US federal tax unless the entity is engaged in a trade or business in the US (ETBUS).
AO §138 Anzeigepflicht (foreign entity disclosure); CFC rules
Use Wyoming for privacy and low fees, but ensure you maintain strict documentation to comply with German AO §138 disclosure requirements.
- 01Form 5472 and 1120 penalty of $25,000 for non-filing
- 02German CFC (Außensteuergesetz) rules may apply to retained earnings
- 03Mandatory AO §138 reporting to German tax authorities
- 04Potential for German tax residency if management is based in Germany
From filing to funded bank account
US LLC (Wyoming) vs Estonia OÜ (e-Residency)
FAQ
Start filing with Mercury (banking-only)
Formation typically completes in 2–3 weeks. Use the promo below, then click through to begin the checklist directly on the platform.