GetSmartPromo
Compare jurisdictions
US LLC (Delaware) · via Firstbase.io·🇦🇷Founder profile

Delaware LLC via Firstbase — Argentine SaaS Founders

VerifiedJul 2026
EligibilityEligible
Setup timeline14–24days
Year-1 total$399.00

Delaware LLC is the near-default US structure for Argentine SaaS founders who plan US or crossover VC rounds. YC-track founders convert Delaware LLC to Delaware C-Corp cleanly. Bootstrapped founders should still prefer Wyoming at $290/year less.

US tax: LLC pays $0 federal tax when non-ETBUS with no effectively connected income. Form 5472 + pro-forma 1120 mandatory yearly under IRC §6038A; $25,000 penalty. Delaware franchise tax is a flat $300 plus $50 report.

Argentina side: Bienes Personales taxes foreign LLC equity at 0.5-2.25% tiered brackets; Impuesto a las Ganancias taxes distributions received up to 35% progressive.

§ 01Cost of ownership

Model the full outlay, not just the setup fee

Renewal costs sneak up on non-resident founders. Compare year-1 filing against a 3-year total to see the real bill.
Currency · USD (live FX)
2-year cost of ownership
$499.00
$20.79/month amortized·USD @ live FX
Time horizon
Line items
Amount
  • SetupFirstbase.io setup
    $399.00
  • PromoPromo · SMARTPROMO50
    $50.00
  • AnnualYear 2 renewal
    $150.00
Total$499.00
§ 02Tax residency · Argentine SaaS Founders

What the tax authority sees

US federal / local status

A Delaware LLC held by an Argentine resident pays no US federal tax when non-ETBUS with no effectively connected income; Form 5472 (IRC §6038A) mandatory yearly plus Delaware franchise tax $300.

Home-country rule

BCRA capital controls; USD hedging via US LLC common practice

Editorial verdict

Delaware is the standard when raising from US or Argentine crossover VC; Wyoming is $290/year cheaper for pure bootstrap.

Key compliance risks
  • 01Form 5472 penalty $25,000 per year (IRC §6038A)
  • 02Bienes Personales on foreign LLC equity — 0.5-2.25% tiered brackets
  • 03BCRA capital controls constrain funding at official-rate
  • 04Impuesto a las Ganancias on distributions received in Argentina up to 35%
§ 03Setup timeline

From filing to funded bank account

Setup timeline
14–24days total, 3 phases
Milestone check
Filing · Tax ID · Banking
d0
d6
d12
d18
d24
01FilingFirstbase.io submits formation docs
d0–d8
02Tax ID / EINIRS EIN issuance
d7–d18
03BankingBusiness account approved & funded
d14–d24
§ 04Head-to-head

US LLC (Delaware) vs Estonia OÜ (e-Residency)

US LLC (Delaware)
LLC
Estonia OÜ (e-Residency)
Entity
LLC
Setup cost
$140.00
$205.20
Annual
$300.00
$129.60
Local director
Remote OK
Remote OK
Physical presence
Remote OK
Remote OK
Tax regime
Franchise tax $300/yr; federal only on US-source income
20% only on distributed profit; 0% on retained earnings
§ 05Questions founders actually ask

FAQ

Latin American VCs increasingly accept Delaware LLC or C-Corp; some prefer C-Corp directly for governance. If you plan a Series A round from Kaszek, Monashees, or crossover US funds, structure early as a Delaware C-Corp to avoid mid-round conversion friction.

Next step

Start filing with Firstbase.io · save $50.00

Formation typically completes in 2–3 weeks. Use the promo below, then click through to begin the checklist directly on the platform.

Promo code
Claim on Firstbase.io