Question 1

What is an anonymous LLC?

Accepted Answer

An anonymous LLC is a limited liability company formed in a state that does not require public listing of members or managers on Articles of Organization or annual filings. Wyoming, New Mexico, Delaware, and Nevada all permit this. The registered agent appears on public records; the owners do not.

Question 2

Which states allow anonymous LLCs in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Four US states allow truly anonymous LLCs where members and managers do not appear on public records: Wyoming, New Mexico, Delaware, and Nevada. A small set of additional states allow partial anonymity via manager-managed LLC structures.

Question 3

Does an anonymous LLC still have to file BOI?

Accepted Answer

As of the March 21, 2025 FinCEN interim final rule, domestic reporting companies are exempt from BOI reporting. Foreign reporting companies remain obligated. Non-resident-owned US LLCs are domestic reporting companies and currently exempt. See our BOI status tracker for current status.

Question 4

How long does forming an anonymous LLC take?

Accepted Answer

Anonymousllc.co typically completes formation in 5-10 days end to end: filing accepted within 1-3 business days, EIN issued within 5-7 days after filing approval, bank account applications submitted concurrently to 4-5 banks with approval averaging 8-10 days after EIN.

Question 5

How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

Anonymousllc.co pricing: Anonymous LLC $397 all-in (Wyoming-fulfilled). State-specific framing: Wyoming $297 + $100 state ($397 total), New Mexico $297 + $50 state ($347 total — cheapest), Delaware $297 + $110 state ($407 total), Nevada $297 + $425 state ($722 total). Every package includes formation, registered agent year 1, operating agreement, EIN, and applications to 4-5 US banks.

Question 6

Can a non-US resident form an anonymous LLC?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Non-US residents form anonymous LLCs in Wyoming and Delaware frequently through Anonymousllc.co. EIN does not require SSN — Anonymousllc.co handles EIN acquisition for non-residents as a standalone $99 service or bundled into formation. Banking is more complex but available through Mercury, Relay, Bluevine, and others.

Question 7

What does "anonymous" actually protect against?

Accepted Answer

Anonymity for an LLC means owners do not appear on the public state filing records. Anonymity does not extend to federal AML/KYC disclosure to the bank, IRS tax filings, court subpoena response, or BOI reporting where required.

Question 8

What happens at the bank — is the LLC anonymous there too?

Accepted Answer

No. Banks must collect beneficial owner information at account opening under the Bank Secrecy Act and Customer Identification Program rules. Your name, address, and SSN/ITIN will be on file with the bank. The bank does not publish this, but it is not state-records anonymous.

Question 9

What is the difference between Wyoming and New Mexico anonymous LLC?

Accepted Answer

Wyoming is the flagship: strongest charging order protection (single-member), no state income tax, well-established banking relationships, $397 total. New Mexico is the cheapest: $347 total, $50 state fee, no annual report, no annual fee. Banking is harder with NM LLCs. Wyoming is better for most use cases; NM for budget-first buyers.

Question 10

What does Anonymousllc.co charge vs other formation services?

Accepted Answer

Anonymousllc.co charges $347-$722 total depending on state, or $397 all-in under the Anonymous LLC framing. This includes everything: state filing, registered agent year 1, operating agreement, EIN, and 4-5 bank applications. EIN-only is $99, ITIN $299, BOI filing $150, registered agent standalone $100/year. Most competitors charge formation only, then upsell registered agent, EIN, and banking separately.

Question 11

Do you offer EIN, ITIN, BOI, or registered agent services separately?

Accepted Answer

Yes. EIN acquisition $99, ITIN application $299, BOI initial filing $150, and standalone registered agent $100/year. All are separately purchasable from formation. The EIN service is the same workflow whether you're a US resident or non-resident.

Question 12

Is an anonymous LLC legal?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Anonymous LLC formation is fully legal in Wyoming, New Mexico, Delaware, and Nevada. These four states intentionally do not require public listing of members or managers on Articles of Organization. The structure has been used by US and non-US founders for decades; nothing about it implies tax evasion or unlawful concealment. Federal AML/KYC obligations to banks and the IRS still apply.

Question 13

Is Anonymousllc.co a law firm?

Accepted Answer

No. Anonymousllc.co is a formation and compliance service operated by Topslice LLC. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice. For complex asset protection, multi-state structuring, or litigation-driven planning, we recommend pairing our formation service with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.

Question 14

Why is Wyoming the most popular state for anonymous LLCs?

Accepted Answer

Wyoming combines four advantages no other state matches: no public member/manager listing on the Articles of Organization, single-member charging order protection under Wyo. Stat. § 17-29-503(a), no state income tax, and one of the lowest annual report fees in the country ($60). Wyoming has also pioneered LLC law in the US since 1977 and has a deep ecosystem of registered agents, banks, and case law.

Question 15

How much does a Wyoming anonymous LLC cost in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Wyoming state filing fee is $100. Annual report is $60/year. Anonymousllc.co charges $297 + $100 state ($397 total), which bundles the state fee, registered agent year one, operating agreement, EIN, and applications to 4-5 banks. The same Wyoming filing is also sold under the Anonymous LLC framing at $397 all-in.

Question 16

Do I need to live in Wyoming to form a Wyoming LLC?

Accepted Answer

No. Wyoming allows any person anywhere in the world to form a Wyoming LLC. The only physical-presence requirement is a registered agent with a Wyoming street address, which Anonymousllc.co provides through our registered agent partner. Founders form Wyoming LLCs from all 50 US states and from dozens of countries each year — Wyoming has built deliberate non-resident-friendly LLC statutes since 1977, and the registered-agent ecosystem is unusually deep. You will never need to visit Wyoming, set foot in Wyoming, or have any physical presence there. The only Wyoming touchpoint is the registered agent, who exists specifically to satisfy the state's presence requirement on your behalf.

Question 17

What is Wyoming charging order protection?

Accepted Answer

Wyoming Statute § 17-29-503(a) limits a judgment creditor of an LLC member to a charging order against distributions. The creditor cannot foreclose on the membership interest, force a sale of LLC assets, vote the member's interest, or compel a distribution. Wyoming extends this single-remedy rule to single-member LLCs, which is rare and the main reason Wyoming is preferred over many other states.

Question 18

Does a Wyoming LLC require an annual report?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Wyoming requires an annual report filed online with the Secretary of State. The fee is $60 minimum (license tax) for LLCs with under $300,000 in Wyoming-located assets. Anonymousllc.co's registered agent service includes annual report reminders.

Question 19

Can a Wyoming LLC operate in another state?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but it usually needs to register as a foreign LLC in any state where it conducts business. If you live in California and run your business from California, your Wyoming LLC almost certainly needs to register as a foreign LLC in California and pay California's $800 franchise tax. This is the most common compliance mistake non-resident-state founders make.

Question 20

Does Wyoming require members or managers on public records?

Accepted Answer

No. Wyoming Articles of Organization require only the LLC name, registered agent name and address, mailing address, and organizer signature. Members and managers do not appear on the formation document or the annual report. The registered agent is the only name on the public record.

Question 21

Is my Wyoming LLC anonymous if I get sued?

Accepted Answer

Anonymity protects against public-records searches and casual lookups by competitors, journalists, or counterparties. In litigation, a court can compel disclosure of beneficial owners through discovery. The LLC structure still provides liability separation, but Wyoming anonymity is a privacy layer, not a litigation shield.

Question 22

Why is New Mexico the cheapest anonymous LLC state?

Accepted Answer

New Mexico charges only $50 to file Articles of Organization, requires no annual report, and has no annual fee. Total New Mexico LLC cost through Anonymousllc.co is $347 ($297 + $50 state) — the cheapest anonymous LLC available in the US. Wyoming costs $397 total with a $60 annual report. Delaware costs $407 plus $300/year franchise tax.

Question 23

Does New Mexico require an annual report?

Accepted Answer

No. New Mexico is the only US anonymous LLC state without an annual report requirement. Once your LLC is filed, there are no annual filings to the Secretary of State and no annual fees. This makes it the lowest-maintenance anonymous LLC option available — over five years, New Mexico saves $290 in annual-report fees versus Wyoming, $1,200 versus Delaware's franchise tax, and $1,500+ versus Nevada's business license. The trade-off is on the banking side: US fintech banks see meaningfully more Wyoming LLCs in their pipeline than New Mexico LLCs, and a New Mexico filing occasionally triggers an extra documentation round during account opening. For passive-holding LLCs the cost saving is genuine; for actively-banking operating businesses the Wyoming premium often pays for itself in faster banking onboarding.

Question 24

What is the downside of New Mexico vs Wyoming?

Accepted Answer

Banking is harder. US banks have less familiarity with New Mexico LLCs and sometimes treat NM-address LLCs as higher-friction during onboarding. Charging order protection is weaker for single-member LLCs in New Mexico than in Wyoming. For pure asset protection, Wyoming or Nevada is stronger. For lowest-cost privacy with light asset protection needs, New Mexico is the right pick.

Question 25

Does New Mexico allow anonymous LLCs?

Accepted Answer

Yes. New Mexico's Articles of Organization do not require listing of members or managers, only the registered agent. This is the same anonymity mechanism as Wyoming. Members and managers do not appear on any public-facing New Mexico Secretary of State record.

Question 26

Can a non-US resident form a New Mexico LLC?

Accepted Answer

Yes. New Mexico allows non-US residents to form LLCs with no residency or citizenship requirement. The only requirement is a New Mexico registered agent, which Anonymousllc.co provides. Non-resident NM LLC banking is harder than Wyoming or Delaware, however.

Question 27

What is the total cost of a New Mexico LLC through Anonymousllc.co?

Accepted Answer

$347 total — $297 Anonymousllc.co fee + $50 state filing fee. No annual report. No annual fee. Includes filing, registered agent year 1, operating agreement, EIN, and applications to 4-5 banks. Year 2 cost is just our $100 registered agent renewal.

Question 28

Why do startups choose Delaware over Wyoming?

Accepted Answer

Delaware has the Court of Chancery — a 200-year-old non-jury business court with judges who specialize in corporate law. Most US venture capital firms require Delaware structure (typically Delaware C-Corp, but Delaware LLCs are also accepted for early-stage). Delaware case law is the deepest in the US. For founders raising or expecting to raise VC, Delaware is the standard.

Question 29

How much does a Delaware anonymous LLC cost?

Accepted Answer

Delaware state filing fee is $110. Anonymousllc.co charges $297 + $110 state ($407 total). Delaware also has a $300 annual franchise tax (due June 1 every year) which is separate from formation cost. Total first-year cost is $407 + $300 = $707; subsequent years $300 plus our $100 registered agent renewal.

Question 30

Does Delaware require members on public records?

Accepted Answer

No. Delaware LLC Certificates of Formation require only the LLC name and the registered agent. Members and managers are not listed on the public Certificate of Formation and not listed on the annual franchise tax filing. Delaware LLCs are anonymous on state records.

Question 31

What is the Delaware franchise tax?

Accepted Answer

Delaware LLCs pay a flat $300 annual franchise tax to the Delaware Division of Corporations, due June 1 each year. This is independent of LLC revenue or member count. (Delaware C-Corps pay a different franchise tax based on shares or assumed par value — much higher.) Late filing triggers a $200 penalty plus 1.5% monthly interest.

Question 32

When should I pick Delaware over Wyoming for an anonymous LLC?

Accepted Answer

Pick Delaware if (a) you plan to raise from US VCs, (b) you expect significant inter-state litigation and value the Court of Chancery, (c) your counsel specifically prefers Delaware, or (d) you intend to convert to a Delaware C-Corp later. Pick Wyoming if you want the strongest charging order protection and lowest annual cost.

Question 33

Can a non-US resident form a Delaware LLC?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Delaware has no residency or citizenship requirement. Non-US residents form Delaware LLCs through Anonymousllc.co frequently. Banking for non-resident Delaware LLC owners through Mercury, Relay, and similar fintech banks is well-supported.

Question 34

Why is Nevada known for asset protection?

Accepted Answer

Nevada Revised Statutes § 86.401 provides charging order protection as the exclusive remedy for judgment creditors against LLC members, including single-member LLCs. Nevada law explicitly disallows judicial foreclosure on LLC membership interests. Combined with no state income tax and no information-sharing agreement with the IRS, Nevada has a strong reputation among asset-protection planners.

Question 35

How much does a Nevada anonymous LLC cost?

Accepted Answer

Nevada state fees total $425: $75 Articles of Organization filing + $150 Initial List of Managers/Members + $200 State Business License. Anonymousllc.co charges $297 + $425 state = $722 total. This is the most expensive of the four anonymous states because of Nevada's high state fees, not because of our markup.

Question 36

What is the Nevada annual business license fee?

Accepted Answer

Nevada LLCs pay $200 annually for the State Business License renewal plus $150 for the Annual List. That is $350/year recurring, which is the highest annual cost of any anonymous LLC state. Wyoming is $60. New Mexico is $0. Delaware is $300.

Question 37

Is a Nevada LLC anonymous?

Accepted Answer

Partially. Nevada's Articles of Organization do not require listing of members. However, the Initial List of Managers/Members filed at formation does list managers (or members if member-managed) and is a public record. To maintain anonymity, the LLC must be manager-managed with a nominee or trust as the manager — which Anonymousllc.co can structure on request.

Question 38

When should I pick Nevada over Wyoming?

Accepted Answer

Pick Nevada only when (a) you have specific Nevada-licensed legal counsel directing the structure, (b) you want belt-and-suspenders asset protection beyond what Wyoming provides, or (c) you have Nevada nexus already. For most founders, Wyoming provides equivalent asset protection at less than half the annual cost.

Question 39

Does Nevada have state income tax?

Accepted Answer

No. Nevada has no state corporate income tax, no state personal income tax, and no state franchise tax. The cost burden is in the annual business license and list filing, not in income-based taxation. Nevada funds itself substantially through casino revenue, sales tax, and business-license fees — the LLC annual cost reflects that revenue model rather than any genuine increase in compliance complexity. For high-revenue LLCs, the zero state income tax is meaningful; for small operators, the $350 in mandatory annual fees often exceeds what the state-income-tax saving would have been at lower revenue levels, which is why Wyoming (also zero state income tax, $60 annual report) is the cheaper functional equivalent for most use cases.

Question 40

What is an EIN?

Accepted Answer

EIN stands for Employer Identification Number — a 9-digit federal tax ID assigned by the IRS to a business entity. It functions like an SSN for the LLC. EINs are required to open US business bank accounts, file federal tax returns, hire employees, and contract with US-based vendors. Every LLC needs one.

Question 41

Do I need an SSN to get an EIN?

Accepted Answer

No. The IRS issues EINs to non-US residents without requiring an SSN or ITIN. The application is filed on IRS Form SS-4. For non-residents, the form is submitted by fax or mail with the 'responsible party' identified by foreign passport. Online EIN application requires an SSN/ITIN and is therefore US-resident only. Anonymousllc.co handles the non-resident workflow.

Question 42

How long does an EIN take?

Accepted Answer

US residents (applying online): same day. Non-residents (fax-filed SS-4): 5-14 business days typically. Anonymousllc.co bundles EIN into every formation package and runs the application concurrently with state filing, so EIN is issued ~7 days after LLC approval on average.

Question 43

How much does an EIN cost?

Accepted Answer

The IRS does not charge for issuing an EIN. Anonymousllc.co's EIN acquisition service is $99 standalone or bundled (no separate charge) into every formation package. We file the SS-4, follow up with IRS, and deliver the EIN approval letter (CP 575). $99 covers the time and process management; the IRS portion is free.

Question 44

Can my EIN be canceled or revoked?

Accepted Answer

An EIN itself is not cancellable in the way a state filing is — the IRS retains the number indefinitely. However, the IRS can mark the EIN as 'inactive' on its records if no tax returns are filed. To formally close the IRS account, you write the IRS a letter requesting closure. The number is never reassigned.

Question 45

Do I need a US address to get an EIN?

Accepted Answer

No. Non-resident EIN applications use the LLC's state-of-formation registered agent address plus the founder's foreign mailing address. Anonymousllc.co's registered agent service provides the US address required on the SS-4. The IRS will mail the EIN approval letter (CP 575) to that US address; we forward it to you.

Question 46

Is the EIN issued in my name or the LLC's name?

Accepted Answer

The EIN is issued to the LLC. Your name appears on the SS-4 only as the 'responsible party' — the person controlling the entity. The responsible party is a separate concept from public-records ownership; it is required by the IRS for tax-administration purposes but is not published on any public IRS or state record.

Question 47

What is an ITIN?

Accepted Answer

ITIN stands for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number — a 9-digit personal tax ID issued by the IRS to individuals who are required to file US tax returns but are not eligible for an SSN. ITINs are typically needed by non-US-resident LLC owners to file personal Form 1040-NR returns, get a US tax refund, or verify identity with PayPal, Stripe, and certain banks.

Question 48

Do I need an ITIN to run an anonymous LLC?

Accepted Answer

No, not for the LLC itself — the LLC uses its EIN, not the owner's ITIN. You need an ITIN if (a) you personally have US-source income requiring a 1040-NR filing, (b) you want to claim a tax-treaty benefit, (c) PayPal/Stripe specifically requires it for personal identity verification (rare), or (d) you want to open a personal US bank account. For pure LLC operations through Mercury/Relay, an ITIN is usually not required.

Question 49

How long does an ITIN take?

Accepted Answer

Standard IRS turnaround is 8-12 weeks from receipt of Form W-7 with supporting documents. Faster processing is possible through a Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA) but the IRS-side wait remains the bottleneck. Plan ITIN around tax-filing deadlines, not LLC formation deadlines.

Question 50

How much does an ITIN cost?

Accepted Answer

Anonymousllc.co's ITIN application service is $299. This covers Form W-7 preparation, document review, certified passport copy guidance, and IRS submission. The IRS does not charge for ITIN issuance; the $299 covers our preparation and management of the 8-12 week process.

Question 51

What documents do I need for an ITIN?

Accepted Answer

The primary document is a certified copy of your foreign passport (certified by the issuing authority, by a US embassy, or by a Certified Acceptance Agent). Form W-7 plus a tax-return attachment is required as the formal reason for applying. Anonymousllc.co guides you through the certified-copy step country-by-country.

Question 52

Will my anonymous LLC be anonymous at the bank?

Accepted Answer

No. US banks must collect beneficial owner information at account opening under the Bank Secrecy Act and FinCEN's Customer Identification Program rules. Your name, address, ID document, and SSN/ITIN/passport are on file with the bank. The bank does not publish this. Anonymity protects against state-records searches, not against AML/KYC reporting inside the financial system.

Question 53

Which banks work best for anonymous LLCs?

Accepted Answer

Mercury and Relay are the most reliable approvals for non-resident-owned LLCs. Bluevine works for US-resident operators. Anonymousllc.co applies to 4-5 banks for every formation to maximize approval probability — we don't bet on one bank, we diversify. Approval rates vary by founder country, business model, and documentation quality.

Question 54

Can a non-resident open a US business bank account?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with the right banks. Mercury accepts non-resident-owned LLCs from most countries. Relay is similar but slightly more conservative. Documentation required: EIN approval letter (CP 575), formation documents, operating agreement, founder ID (passport accepted), and proof of address. Some countries face heightened review (Pakistan, Nigeria, parts of MENA) — Anonymousllc.co tracks current approval patterns.

Question 55

Do I have to fly to the US to open the bank account?

Accepted Answer

No. Mercury, Relay, and Bluevine all open accounts fully remotely. You complete the application online, upload documents, and verify identity via video or document upload. Anonymousllc.co handles the application logistics. Some traditional banks (Chase, Bank of America) require in-person — we do not recommend those for non-residents.

Question 56

What if Mercury rejects my application?

Accepted Answer

Because Anonymousllc.co applies to 4-5 banks concurrently, a Mercury rejection is rarely terminal. Relay, Bluevine, and our backup partners pick up the rejected applications. We provide a banking-outcomes review after all responses are in. If all banks reject (rare — under 5% of cases), we work with you on documentation improvements or alternative routes.

Question 57

Can I deposit checks into a Mercury or Relay account?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Mercury supports mobile check deposit via the iOS/Android app. Relay supports check deposit via mail-in for amounts above certain thresholds. ACH and wire transfers are the primary fund-flow methods for both. Neither bank supports cash deposit, which is uncommon for online-first businesses.

Question 58

What is BOI reporting?

Accepted Answer

BOI (Beneficial Ownership Information) reporting is the disclosure required under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) to FinCEN, identifying beneficial owners of certain US business entities. The report is filed via boiefiling.fincen.gov and is non-public — accessible only to authorized law enforcement and financial institutions with consent.

Question 59

Does my anonymous LLC have to file BOI in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Under the March 21, 2025 FinCEN interim final rule, domestic reporting companies are exempt from BOI reporting. Foreign reporting companies (entities formed outside the US that have registered to do business in a US state) remain obligated. Non-resident-owned US LLCs formed in Wyoming/NM/DE/NV are domestic reporting companies and currently exempt. See our /boi/status-tracker/ page for the current authoritative status.

Question 60

Does BOI reporting compromise anonymity?

Accepted Answer

BOI is filed to FinCEN only. FinCEN data is non-public and not searchable by journalists, civil litigants, or competitors. The only routes to BOI disclosure are (a) a specific law-enforcement request with statutory authority, (b) a financial institution with explicit BO consent for CDD purposes, or (c) certain federal regulators. BOI does not appear on the public state record or in any commercially-available database.

Question 61

What happens if I do not file BOI when I am required to?

Accepted Answer

Civil penalty up to $591/day (inflation-adjusted, originally $500/day under the CTA) and criminal penalty up to $10,000 and/or 2 years imprisonment for willful violation. Under the current March 2025 IFR, domestic reporting companies face no penalty because the obligation has been removed. Foreign reporting companies remain at risk and must file.

Question 62

Does Anonymousllc.co handle BOI filings?

Accepted Answer

Yes. BOI Initial Filing is $150 per entity. This covers FinCEN portal submission, beneficial-owner intake, ID-document upload, and confirmation. Updates and corrections (within the 30-day update window) are included for the first filing year. See our BOI status tracker page first to confirm whether your entity is currently obligated.

Question 63

What is charging order protection?

Accepted Answer

A charging order is a court order directing distributions from an LLC to a judgment creditor of a member. In a charging-order-only state (Wyoming, Nevada), the charging order is the creditor's exclusive remedy — they cannot foreclose on the membership interest, force a sale, vote the interest, or compel distributions. The LLC continues to operate normally; the creditor waits for distributions that the manager controls.

Question 64

Does charging order protection work for single-member LLCs?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the state. Wyoming explicitly extends charging-order-only treatment to single-member LLCs (Wyo. Stat. § 17-29-503(a)). Nevada does the same. Delaware's protection for single-member LLCs is weaker — courts have allowed foreclosure in some cases. New Mexico's protection for single-member LLCs is also weaker. For asset protection with a single-member LLC, Wyoming and Nevada are the strongest choices.

Anonymous LLC FAQ

Table of contents

General Anonymous LLC

Wyoming

New Mexico

Delaware

Nevada

EIN

ITIN

Banking

BOI / CTA Reporting

Asset Protection

Tax

Registered Agent

Operating Agreement

Process & Timeline

Pricing & Payments

Transitions & Takeovers

LLC Naming

Eligibility & Unusual Founders

Cryptocurrency

Real Estate

Trademarks & IP

Estate Planning

Business Continuity

State-Comparison Nuance

Tax Classification (S-Corp / C-Corp)

Banking Partner Deep Cuts

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