doola Answers
Direct, honest answers to the questions people actually ask about doola, the US business formation and compliance platform for non-US founders: what it costs, forming an LLC without an SSN, Form 5472 and taxes, US banking, which state to pick, and how it compares to Firstbase and Stripe Atlas. General information, not legal or tax advice.
Pricing & Plans
How much does doola cost?
doola has four plans: Starter LLC formation at $297/year, Bookkeeping at $300/year, Total Compliance at $1,999/year, and Business-in-a-Box at $2,999/year ($329/month). All are plus state filing fees ($100 Wyoming, $110 Delaware).
Is the doola Starter plan ($297) worth it?
For a non-US founder who wants formation handled hands-off, yes: $297 covers the LLC filing, a year of registered agent, an EIN (even without an SSN), a US business address, and banking introductions. Just know it does not include ongoing tax filing.
Do I need doola's Total Compliance plan ($1,999)?
If you are a non-US owner of a US LLC, very likely yes, because it includes the annual federal tax return (Form 5472) that foreign-owned LLCs must file, with a $25,000 penalty for missing it. US-based owners with simple needs can often start on the cheaper plans.
What are the state fees and extra costs beyond doola's price?
Add state filing fees (about $100 Wyoming, $110 Delaware) on top of doola's plan, plus annual state renewal fees and registered-agent renewal after year one. Over three years the all-in cost of a compliant foreign-owned LLC runs into the low thousands.
For Non-US Founders
Can I form a US LLC without an SSN using doola?
Yes. doola is purpose-built for non-US founders and obtains your EIN without a Social Security Number, which is the usual blocker. You do not need to be a US citizen or resident to own a US LLC.
Does doola work for non-US residents, and who is it best for?
Yes, non-US residents are doola's core audience. It is best for international founders and bootstrapped, profitable businesses (especially ecommerce) who want formation plus ongoing compliance handled in one place, rather than venture-track startups.
Can doola help a non-resident get a US business bank account?
doola does not open the account itself but introduces you to partners like Mercury, Relay, and Brex that it has relationships with to improve non-resident approval odds. Your EIN and US address (both included) are what make the application possible.
What is Form 5472, and does doola file it?
Form 5472 is a required IRS filing for any US LLC with a foreign owner, and missing it carries a $25,000 penalty. doola files it for you on its Total Compliance plan (as Form 5472 plus a pro-forma 1120), which is the main reason foreign founders choose that tier.
What You Get & How
What does doola actually do?
doola is an all-in-one platform to form and run a US business from anywhere: LLC or C-corp formation, EIN, registered agent, US address, banking introductions, bookkeeping, and business tax filing, with an in-house CPA team for the compliance side.
Which state should I form my LLC in: Wyoming, Delaware, or New Mexico?
For most bootstrapped and non-US founders, Wyoming is the popular default (low fees, privacy, no state income tax). Delaware suits companies planning to raise venture capital. New Mexico is the cheapest with strong privacy. doola supports all three.
Does doola do bookkeeping and taxes, or just formation?
Both. Beyond formation, doola offers bookkeeping (software plus human bookkeepers) and files your annual business tax return, with an in-house CPA team. Bookkeeping is a $300/year add-on; tax filing is included in the Total Compliance and Business-in-a-Box plans.
Comparisons & Trust
doola vs Firstbase: which is better for a non-US founder?
Both serve non-US founders with Wyoming, ITIN help, and Form 5472 filing. doola bundles fuller compliance (Total Compliance at $1,999) and leans toward bootstrapped ecommerce operators; Firstbase is cheaper on tax filing (~$899/year) and positions as an integrated operations platform. Choose by how much compliance you want bundled.
doola vs Stripe Atlas: which should I choose?
Stripe Atlas is built for venture-track startups (higher formation fee, immediate Stripe access, but no Wyoming, ITIN, or Form 5472 filing). doola is a compliance partner for bootstrapped and non-US operators (Wyoming, ITIN, and 5472 filing bundled). Pick Atlas to raise money, doola to run a lean compliant business.
Is doola legit, and is it worth it?
doola is a legitimate, established platform widely used by non-US founders, with an in-house CPA team and clear pricing. It is worth it when you value bundled, hands-off compliance (especially the Form 5472 filing) over the lowest possible price. Cost-focused founders can find cheaper piecemeal options.
Starting a US business? Let doola handle the formation.
doola forms your LLC or C-Corp, gets your EIN, and handles bookkeeping and compliance, even if you're outside the US. A simple way to go from idea to a registered, bank-ready company.
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