United States (LLC) vs Singapore
United States (LLC) has the lower headline tax (0%), and United States (LLC) is cheaper to set up (from $300). Only Singapore can give you a residence visa through your company.Which is better depends on where you live and where your customers are.
| USUnited States (LLC) | SGSingapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Entity | Single-member LLC (foreign-owned, disregarded entity) | Private limited company (Pte Ltd) |
| Corporate tax | 0% federal on non-US-source income (pass-through) | 17% headline, ~8.5% effective on first S$200k for new startups |
| Setup cost from | $300 | $2,500 |
| Setup time | 1–5 business days | 1–3 business days |
| Minimum capital | None | S$1 |
| Local director | Not required | Required |
| Remote formation | Yes | Yes |
| Residency visa | No | Possible |
| Banking | Easy | Moderate |
| Best for | Online businesses, SaaS, e-commerce and freelancers selling worldwide who want USD banking and Stripe. | Serious Asia-focused businesses, tech startups raising capital and holding structures that need a top-tier reputation. |
Choose United States (LLC) if
Online businesses, SaaS, e-commerce and freelancers selling worldwide who want USD banking and Stripe.
- Formed 100% online in a few days — no US visit required
- Easy fintech banking (Mercury, Relay, Wise) and Stripe/PayPal access
- No BOI report needed for US-formed LLCs since 2025/26
Choose Singapore if
Serious Asia-focused businesses, tech startups raising capital and holding structures that need a top-tier reputation.
- Incorporation often completed within one day, fully online
- World-class reputation, banking and treaty network
- Startup tax exemption on the first S$200,000 of profit for three years