Most common business entity in United States
The LLC (state-level) is the standard choice for most small- to mid-size businesses in United States. Like a US LLC, it provides limited liability protection separated from the owners' personal assets. Costs shown are Wyoming baseline. CTA BOI mandatory federally.
The full menu of United States business structures
| Structure | Liability | Tax | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLC (state-level) | Limited | 21% corporate | Most operating businesses |
| Sole proprietor / self-employed | Unlimited personal | Personal income tax rates | Freelancers, one-person services |
| Partnership | Joint and several | Pass-through to partners | Professional services (law, accounting) |
| Branch of foreign company | Parent company liability | 21% on United States-source profits | Foreign companies entering United States market |
| Public limited company | Limited | Same as LLC (state-level) but stricter | Companies preparing for listing |
Which one should you pick?
- Freelance or one-person service in United States? Self-employed structure if simple, LLC (state-level) if you want liability protection.
- Software / e-commerce / agency? LLC (state-level) — standard, scalable.
- Operating an existing foreign company in United States? Branch (simpler) or subsidiary LLC (state-level) (more substance).
- Planning to raise venture capital? Confirm investors accept United States entities. Many require a US Delaware C-Corp flip — see US company formation.
- Holding company for IP or other companies? LLC (state-level) with minimal substance requirements.
The LLC (state-level) in one paragraph
LLC (state-level) is United States's primary limited liability vehicle. Minimum paid-up capital: $0. Headline corporate tax: 21%. Pass-through default for LLCs; members pay personal tax. C-Corp election = 21% federal.. Banking accessibility: 10/10. Privacy: 7/10 (UBO non-public). Remote formation: yes. Processing time: 1 business day.
For US comparison, see United States vs USA. For non-resident formation specifics, see forming a United States company as a non-resident.