[Recommended] Amazon U.S. Strategy
Get clarity on which state, entity, your U.S. tax strategy, steps to update or create a new Amazon account, banking, Shopify Payments, and other key components to save you time and money on your U.S. expansion.
Before forming a US LLC, starting with a solid strategy is crucial to avoid unnecessary expenses and potential changes down the line. We’ve seen too many LLCs set up without proper planning, lacking substance, and having incorrect tax strategies.
We believe in tailored solutions, not a one-size-fits-all approach. First, let’s clarify your strategy to ensure everything is set up correctly.
Our CEO, Main Street Certified Tax Advisor, and e-commerce expert, Scott Letourneau, make strategy calls. Learn more here.
State Filing Fees
State filing fees vary based upon the state and type of entity. A Wyoming LLC is $100, and a Nevada LLC is $425.
Mail Scanning and Forwarding
Our U.S. virtual address service is the most complete in the industry. We are a CRMA with a non-resident suite number out of Nevada. Based on your overall Amazon strategy, our address may or may not show up on filing documents.
We understand the importance of your U.S. business address for account verification, banking, Shopify payments, and U.S. taxation concerns.
Regarding any critical mail you may receive, from your 6-digit Amazon code to your EIN to trademark filings, our team is the best to scan, rename, and alert you.
We are the only mail service providers who are experts on action steps and the best resources on handling tax and IRS notices.
U.S. Bank Account (if required)
You may be working with Wise, a free account, and if you need a separate, fully functioning U.S. bank account to set up Stripe or Shopify Payments, we can help. Some “online banks-technology companies” such as Mercury, require a U.S. tax person, which is NOT a single-member LLC disregarded. Too many are committing fraud on the W-9.
Resale/Exemption Certificate
A resale certificate proves that you are a legitimate retailer or purchaser and are buying products to resell or use as parts of products you plan to resell.
To use a resale certificate, in many states, you need to register to collect sales tax in at least one U.S. state. Our team will register your new company in a state and obtain your resales/exemption certificate.
Dun & Bradstreet Number
The D-U-N-S Number is used to establish your company’s D&B® file. It is requested but not required to sell on Walmart.
A Second EIN (if required)
If you form an LLC and the member (owner) will be your foreign entity, we will need to apply for an EIN for the foreign entity.
This is required to file the U.S. return in connection with the tax treaty with your country. Most common is the 1120F, along with form 8833.
If this is your situation, the SS4 application for the U.S. entity will require your signature as the responsible party. The IRS no longer allows you to use your foreign entity EIN to apply for the U.S. EIN. That changed in 2020.
We can move forward and apply via fax for the EIN on your U.S. LLC. The EIN for your foreign entity we call over the phone (when we get through to the IRS).
Trade Name/DBA
If you are using or planning to use a trade name separately from your new entity name, we will file a DBA (doing business as) in the state of formation.
Amazon Brand Registry Example:
When you set up your Amazon account, you will have your brand name and sold-by name. Your seller name is easy to change on your Amazon account.
The brand name leads to the brand store page and is linked to registered and trademarked brands. The brand name does not match your entity name.
Nationwide Trademark Search & Filing
A trademark is a protected word, phrase, symbol, or design that identifies your business and distinguishes it from other businesses. This is important for Amazon’s brand registry and overall brand protection. It is not required but recommended.
Utility Bill Consultation
We know what steps on the tax interview and what type of LLC formation will trigger a utility bill requirement, as well as the steps to fix it, including the best Amazon appeal company options. This extra verification may come into play by design, depending upon your Seller Profile Page strategy.
ITIN
An ITIN will come into play if a 1040NR U.S. tax return is required by filing form W-7, along with 8833. In this situation, the fee is part of filing your U.S. personal tax returns.
If you need an ITIN after your U.S. entity formation, the most common is to provide you with more options with your U.S. formation when you open a Stripe account or Paypal account.
An ITIN can also be the start of building personal credit in the U.S., a key component for business credit. This process takes time.
Certificate of Insurance (COI)
If you received your 30-day notice from Amazon, our process is to form your LLC correctly and refer you to our recommended U.S. insurance provider.
Our services include the steps of what to change and not to change on Amazon to get your COI approved by Amazon.
The key is to match the LLC structure to your insurance and Amazon account goals. Most will have no insurance protection, but Amazon’s system can approve it.
We have a 100% success rate when you follow our steps.
Corporate Coaching
We provide continuous strategy support during your LLC filing, covering all key areas—Amazon account setup, tax interviews, utility bill requirements, Shopify Payments operational presence, and banking strategy.
With our corporate coaching, you can email us your strategy questions anytime. Our team, backed by over 150 strategic email macros and direct support from the CEO, ensures you take the proper steps to move forward confidently.
E-Commerce Bookkeeping & Tax Returns
We’re part of a U.S. tax and legal mastermind group with over 300 professionals and one of the largest e-commerce networks, ensuring the best solutions tailored to your needs.
Amazon Account Verification Services
As an Amazon Agency Partner, we offer services such as directing you to Amazon to set up your account and working with you on ads and branding after we set up your LLC.
We also partner with professionals who can escalate your Amazon account verification through the right channels through our partners.
Our U.S. LLC packages include our comprehensive Amazon New Account Guide & Tax Interview Guide to help you avoid verification issues.
Strategy Call
You can schedule a paid strategy call with our CEO and Main Street Certified Tax Advisor, Scott Letourneau. The time frame is 2-4 business days.
U.S. Entity Formation Process
After you pay, you will receive our web form with our U.S. entity training video.
Once you submit your web form with all your entity details, our team will review it and send you a final confirmation email to reply to before we file your new U.S. entity.
Our team will prepare the articles and SS4, and our CEO will review them before filing. Once the articles are filed, you will also have the SS4 form to sign so we may fax it to the IRS.
Your EIN letter (CP 575) will come within 3-4 weeks after your articles are filed and your EIN is faxed to the IRS. This will impact your banking, perhaps U.S. insurance, setting up your Amazon account, and other key strategies.
On your strategy call with Scott, he will review the time frame that fits your situation.
Payment
You will be sent a customized payment link the same day and you may pay by credit card, PayPal, or wire transfer.
The Completion of our U.S. Entity Form
Our U.S. LLC web form is the most comprehensive and advanced in the industry. It is designed to walk you through every step of your LLC formation, and clear video instructions are included.
Got questions? Just send us a support ticket, and our team will respond quickly.
U.S. Entity Web Form Review and Approval
During business days, your submission will be processed within 24 hours. You’ll receive either a clarification request or a final approval email for verification, both requiring your prompt reply.
Rest assured, we never file your submission as-is.
Our goal is to ensure everything aligns with the strategy you discussed with Scott, so you’re set up for success.
Articles Filed to the State
Time varies upon the state chosen, and Nevada and Wyoming (which are most popular) are filed within 24 online.
EIN Service
There are two factors, we email the SS4 to complete and email back to our team, you will receive it the same day of the filing, and once you return it, we will fax it the same day to the IRS.
The IRS time frame is about 9-12 business days. The EIN confirmation letter, CP 575, is mailed to our address within about two to three weeks after the EIN is obtained.
[Update] Our new banking partner does not require the IRS letter upfront; the EIN can be pending.
Record Book Documents
You will have all your documents, including your operating agreement, membership certificates, minutes and resolutions, stock ledger statement, and instructions in the cloud within 48 hours of filing your articles.
U.S. Banking
You can easily update your account with your new LLC details if you already use an online payment platform.
Some of our packages include banking support, or you can upgrade to receive help setting up an account with a neo-bank.
Remember, traditional banks often require in-person visits and additional verification for the signer’s office and residential address.
To open your account, banks will need your EIN letter from the IRS and other required business and personal documents. We’ll guide you through the process to ensure everything is in order.
If you already use an online payment platform, you can easily update your account with your new LLC details. Some of our packages include banking support, or you can upgrade to receive help setting up an account with a neo-bank.
Remember that traditional banks often require in-person visits and additional verification for the signer’s office and residential address.
To open your account, banks will need your EIN letter from the IRS and other required business and personal documents. We’ll guide you through the process to ensure everything is in order.
Additional Services
- Amazon Account Setup and Support: If you qualify, this service will provide you with a direct Amazon representative to set up your account and help with branding, advertising, and your overall account health.
- Trademark Filing: This varies based on whether the entity’s name will be trademarked or a separate brand name.
- Amazon Certificate of Insurance: After completing your insurance application online, this process will take 3-4 business days. It includes receiving a quote and making a payment.
- Stripe Account: A Stripe account first requires an ITIN, a separate service, and may take 6-8 weeks to obtain from the IRS.
- Resale Certificate: After entity formation, this may take 3-5 business days after you submit our sales tax application.
- Sales Tax Registrations: This applies to Shopify, and if you are selling on your website, over time, you will cross economic nexus thresholds in each state. Our complete sales tax registration process is based upon completing our sales tax application payment of any state fees, which states we need to mail with no SSN, whether or not they mail the PINs, codes, or permits so that we may complete your tax accounts.
- Accounting Set-Up: Depends upon the time frame you are ready to implement.
- U.S. Tax Returns: Due dates for the following year and support options will be provided.
- Strategic Consulting: If you need support with additional strategy questions, from how much to capitalize on your new entity to tax questions, our strategic consulting with unlimited strategy support emails will be ideal for you.
Time Frame Summary
After your discovery call, your entity formation may be, on average, 2-3 business days, and your EIN is currently 9-12 business days. For a certificate of insurance, the EIN is not typically required upfront, which helps protect your Amazon account faster.
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