James baker

James baker International Tax Advisor for us abroad and Non-Us residents

03/06/2026

l've been using Ally Bank for a long time.
There are great online banks like SoFi and Ally that have no fees, great apps, no minimums, and financial tools.
Traditionally, big banks like Bank of America or Chase are better if you need access to capital, financing, funding, or better credit cards.
But for regular people, there are much better online banks.
What I tell my clients coming from outside the U.S.:
These bigger banks are sometimes easier to open accounts with if you have a U.S. address.
But they're not always the best option.
If you need help opening business accounts or personal accounts as a non-resident, that's what we do.
Comment TAX and l'd love to help you out with this.
Bank of America is not a bad option, but it's definitely not the best option.

03/05/2026

If you're an online business owner, you might want to hear this because I'm going to tell you the difference between opening a US LLC and a US corporation. There are significant distinctions between the two, and generally, the more popular option is the LLC, for good reasons:

Tax Flexibility: An LLC can be taxed as a corporation, an S corporation, or a pass-through entity. This flexibility allows you to choose the best tax structure for your business needs.

Simpler Compliance: LLCs have fewer rules and requirements to stay compliant. They don't need to keep minutes, issue shares, or authorize shares, making the administrative burden much lighter.

Less Paperwork: With an LLC, there's less paperwork overall. This includes both the initial setup and ongoing maintenance.

Corporations, on the other hand, have more legal documents to set up, require issuing and authorizing shares, and generally involve more fees. They are also subject to their own taxes and cannot pass through taxation to the owners like an LLC can. With an LLC, the owner pays the taxes, which can offer better incentives and flexibility for different investments.

This flexibility is crucial as it allows your CPA or accountant to make strategic tax elections at the end of the year, potentially helping you pay less in taxes, which is always the goal. If you need help deciding between an LLC and a corporation, DM us. I'd love to help you out!

03/05/2026

As an international tax advisor, I work with clients worldwide on setting up US companies: but a US LLC isn't always the best fit. Here's when it might not make sense for you:

Local business in a high tax country: If you're in Spain with a shoe store or providing local services, opening a US LLC probably won't offer much benefit. Your tax base is still in your home country, and you're already paying local taxes.

Exceptions: If you're paying a family member or partner
in a low or no-tax country (like Dubai) for services, you could reduce your tax base by using a US LLC to funnel payments. This strategy could lower taxes in high-tax countries like Spain, the UK, or France.

But, if you're running a local business like construction in France, a US LLC likely won't make sense for you.

Need help figuring out if a US LLC can work for your situation? Schedule a free call with me or my team: we're here to help!

03/04/2026

If you have an LLC with zero income, make sure you're still filing a tax return.

You want those deductions for startup costs, CPA expenses, website domain names, and other business expenses.

Here's what most people get wrong about LLC filing requirements:

Single-member LLC (US person): File Schedule C with Form 1040

S Corporation election: File Form 1120S

C Corporation: File Form 1120

Multi-member LLC: File Form 1065

Foreign-owned LLC: File Form 5472 (REQUIRED regardless of income)

There are different returns required depending on:
Ownership structure
Elections you've made Your residency status

The key point: If you have business expenses and want to claim them now or use them in the future, you need to file some kind of tax return.

Don't leave money on the table by assuming zero income means zero filing.

Those startup costs and business expenses add up and can save you thousands later.

Comment "TAX" if you need help determining which forms your business structure requires.

03/04/2026

Thinking about starting a U.S. LLC from abroad? Here's the truth you need to know
Yes, you can open a U.S. LLC, get a U.S. bank account, and pay no U.S. income taxes as a non-resident (if structured correctly). BUT there's a big problem I see all the time: a bad business address.
° Without a proper business address, you'll struggle to:
Open bank accounts
Set up on platforms like Amazon or Shopify
Access tools critical for running your business
Having an LLC isn't enough if you can't get the right documentation to back it up. And without a functional bank account? Your LLC is basically useless.
With the right setup, you can sell to U.S. clients and grow your business: while avoiding unnecessary taxes.
Ready to get started the right way? DM me, and let's make your business dreams happen!

03/03/2026

For my American employees: Don't go tax exempt.🚫

If you have a W2 job in the U.S., you have to pay the taxes anyway. All that money is reported to the IRS. There's terrible advice online about this. Don't follow it.⚠️

Now, if you're non U.S. watching this thinking "that's a low tax rate," it depends where you compare it to.🌎

Here's what people forget:✅

You can live somewhere else. Work remotely. Move to a place with better tax rates. You're not stuck.💡

I personally think I pay too much taxes too. I agree with her.😅

But you know who doesn't pay too much? My clients.🎯

They're international entrepreneurs operating online businesses,
living in places with no income tax, legally paying 0%.✅

If she could pay 0% by moving and working remotely, I could help her with that.💰

Comment TAX if you want to learn how to structure your business to legally reduce your tax to zero.

income

03/03/2026

Tax treaties exist so you don't pay income tax twice, yet most entrepreneurs ignore them:💰

What treaties do:
✅Reduce withholding tax rates💸
✅Eliminate double taxation🌎
✅Provide foreign tax credits📋

The problem:
Entrepreneurs pay full taxes in both countries because they don't know how to use treaties.😬

Real example:
Client paid 30% US withholding PLUS home country taxes.
After applying treaty benefits, US withholding dropped to 0%.🎯

Thousands back in his pocket. Legally.💡

The catch:
You must claim treaty benefits proactively. They don't happen automatically.📄

Stop leaving money on the table.💪

Comment "TAX" to identify which treaty benefits apply to your situation.

03/02/2026

Your LLC is broken and you know it.

Bank rejections. Missing forms. Missed deadlines. IRS notices you're ignoring.😰

Here's the brutal reality check: it won't fix itself.💔

These 7 steps saved my clients from complete IRS destruction:

1️⃣Admit you have no idea what you're doing

Stop pretending you understand Form 5472. Your LLC is bleeding penalties because you're faking knowledge you don't have.🚫

2️⃣Fire everyone who's been guessing

The formation company that ghosted you after taking your money. Your friend's accountant. The YouTube guru. All of them. Gone.🔥

3️⃣File even when you're terrified and confused

Waiting for "perfect understanding" costs $25,000 per year in late penalties. File now, understand later.⏰

4️⃣Build compliance into your calendar like it's a paid
client

Your daily habits created this disaster. New daily habits will fix it. Schedule it or it won't happen.📅

5️⃣Stop researching and start hiring

Six months of YouTube videos = zero progress. One
specialist CPA = problem solved in 30 days.💡

The truth? Your broken LLC stays broken until you stop doing what got you here.💸

Comment TAX if you're ready to actually fix this instead of hoping it goes away.

03/02/2026

"Just Google some banks and try" vs.
"Here are the 3 banks that actually approve non-residents, with your complete application package ready":🎯

One approach wastes months. The other gets approvals.💡

"Just Google it" leads to:
❌Applying to 10+ wrong banks🏦
❌Months of rejections and frustration😤
❌Damaged credit inquiries📉
❌Zero actual banking access🚫

Targeted strategy delivers:
✅Pre-vetted non-resident-friendly banks🎯
✅Complete documentation packag📋
✅Higher approval rates on first attempt✅
✅Working bank accounts in weeks🏦

International entrepreneurs don't need generic advice.

They need specific guidance: which banks, what documents, how to present the application.💼

The difference between success and frustration is expertise, not effort.😬

Stop guessing. Start with someone who already knows which banks say yes.💪

Comment "TAX" for guidance on non-resident-friendly banks and proper application strategies.

03/01/2026

Is Delaware the best state for your LLC?
For most non-resident entrepreneurs, it's actually one of the worst choices:🚫

Delaware makes sense IF:
✅You're raising millions in venture capital
✅You need complex legal structures
✅You're going public

For non-residents, Delaware problems:
💸$300 franchise tax every year (other states don't
charge this)
📋On top of formation and registered agent fees
🏦Some banks won't work with Delaware LLCs (address
doesn't show on state filings)

If you're running an online business, that's wasted money for zero benefit.😬

Better options:
Wyoming and New Mexico have low annual fees, no state income tax on LLCs, and same liability protection.🎯

New Mexico charges sales tax if you use an address there, so Wyoming generally wins.✅

Plus, Wyoming has simpler reporting requirements. Less paperwork, less compliance risk.💡

Ask yourself:
Are you forming to impress investors who demand Delaware? Or to keep things simple and affordable?🤔

If it's the second, Delaware isn't your best option. Don't follow the crowd. Choose what fits YOUR business.💪

Comment "TAX" for my full breakdown on which state makes the most sense for your LLC.



CNBC Fox Business Forbes

02/28/2026

If you're a non-resident who applied for an
ITIN or paid someone to do it for you, this matters.⚠️

An ITIN is like a U.S. social security number for non-residents. It's used for banking, credit cards, and filing taxes in the U.S.🆔

The problem is HOW you're requesting it.😰

I constantly see it filled out using W7 exceptions that state this person is subject to U.S. income taxes.📋

Yes, that might be the fastest way to get the ITIN, but it creates a record saying you earn income subject to U.S. taxation.💸

Most non-residents I work with do NOT want that.🚫

They run their business outside the U.S. and are legally not subject to U.S. income taxes. That's the whole point.✅

That's why when we apply for ITINs, we attach proper nonresident tax returns that match how the client actually operates. No shortcuts. No contradictions.🎯

If you already have an ITIN, don't panic. It doesn't mean you owe taxes.💡

But you should understand what was filed in your name.📄

Comment TAX to schedule a call and we'll review what's on file for you.



Entrepreneur Fox Business Forbes

02/28/2026

Does an LLC offer legal protection abroad?
The short answer: YES!
An LLC provides legal protection whether you're in the U.S. or overseas. Here's why
Separate Legal Entity
Your LLC is its own entity, so as long as you keep business funds separate from your personal finances (separate bank accounts are a must!), the company is liable, not you personally. If the company gets sued, your personal assets are safe.
Enhanced Protections in Certain States
LLCs set up in states like Delaware and Wyoming offer even more security with charging order protections, making it harder for creditors to come after your assets.
Remember, as long as there's no fraud or illegal activity, your LLC can provide excellent protection no matter where you're located.
Need help setting up your LLC or opening a U.S. bank account? We assist clients worldwide, let us help you get started!



CNBC Forbes Fox Business

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