If you’re a Spanish entrepreneur looking to expand your reach into the U.S. market, forming a Wyoming LLC may seem like a smart first step—and it often is. Wyoming’s low costs, simple compliance rules, and favorable tax environment have made it a top choice for founders around the world, including many in Spain.
But once your U.S. LLC is formed, a big question arises: Do I need to file taxes in the United States if I live in Spain and own a Wyoming LLC?
The short answer is yes. In nearly all cases, Spanish citizens who form a U.S. LLC are subject to ongoing tax filing requirements—both at the federal level and within the state of Wyoming.
Even if your LLC didn’t generate any income, these obligations generally still apply. In this guide, we’ll walk through the key requirements, deadlines, and options available for keeping your U.S. business compliant.
Can a Spanish Citizen Legally Own a U.S. LLC?
Yes, Spanish nationals are fully allowed to form and own LLCs in the U.S. There are no citizenship, residency, or visa requirements to set up a Wyoming LLC. You don’t need a U.S. address or to ever travel to the United States to form or manage your company.
This is part of what makes Wyoming such a popular choice for founders abroad. The state:
- Has no state income tax
- Offers strong privacy and anonymity protections
- Requires only one member (owner) to form
- Allows online formation through platforms like Firstbase or Doola
Once the LLC is registered with the state and you have selected a Wyoming registered agent, you’ll also need to apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. This is your business tax ID, and it’s required for banking, payments, and tax filing.
What U.S. Tax Obligations Apply If I Live in Spain?
Just forming a Wyoming LLC triggers reporting responsibilities—even if your company earns no income. The U.S. tax system tracks foreign-owned entities for compliance and transparency, and as a result, you’ll need to stay on top of two main categories of tax compliance:
- Federal Tax Filing Requirements (IRS)
- State-Level Annual Requirements in Wyoming
Federal Filing Responsibilities: IRS Rules for Spanish Founders
The forms you file depend on the ownership structure of your Wyoming LLC.
Single-Member LLCs
If you are the only owner of the LLC, the IRS classifies your business as a disregarded entity. That means the business doesn’t pay its own income tax, but it does need to file special forms each year:
- Form 5472, which discloses that your company is foreign-owned and lists any reportable transactions between you and your LLC (such as funding it with your own money)
- Pro forma Form 1120, a simplified version of the U.S. corporate tax return that accompanies the 5472
Even if your company made no money, the IRS still expects these forms to be filed. They are due by April 15 each year and must be filed on time to avoid heavy penalties. Failure to file Form 5472 can result in a $25,000 penalty per year.
Multi-Member LLCs
If your Wyoming LLC has more than one owner, such as a business partner, it is considered a partnership for U.S. tax purposes. This means:
- You must file Form 1065, which reports income or losses
- You must provide each partner with a Schedule K-1, which outlines their share of profits and losses
If the company earned income connected to the U.S.—called effectively connected income (ECI)—then each foreign partner also needs to file a Form 1040-NR (U.S. Nonresident Tax Return).
The only exception to filing these forms is if your multi-member LLC had absolutely no financial activity for the year—no income, no expenses, no transactions of any kind. This is a rare scenario and should be confirmed by a qualified tax advisor.
Wyoming State Tax Requirements for LLCs
Although Wyoming is tax-friendly, it does have one required annual filing for all LLCs:
- The Wyoming Annual Report, which is due every year during the anniversary month of your LLC’s formation
- Minimum fee: $60 per year
You must file this report through the Wyoming Secretary of State’s website. If your company owns property in Wyoming, the fee may be higher.
Unlike your federal filings, Wyoming does not allow for filing extensions. Missing your state filing can result in your company being administratively dissolved.
The good news? If your company has no physical presence or operations in Wyoming, you do not owe any state income tax—because there isn’t one.
What If My LLC Has No Income?
This is one of the most common questions we receive from Spanish founders: If my LLC didn’t make any money, do I still need to file taxes?
The answer is almost always yes.
For single-member LLCs, you are still required to file Form 5472 and pro forma Form 1120 every year—even if you had zero revenue. The IRS is more concerned with transparency and ownership than income.
For multi-member LLCs, you must file unless you had absolutely no financial activity. That means no expenses, no Stripe or PayPal setup, and no payments of any kind. If there was even one transaction, you’ll need to file.
Do I Need an EIN to Operate?
Yes. The EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your LLC’s tax ID and is necessary to:
- Open a U.S. business bank account
- Apply for Stripe or PayPal
- File federal tax forms
- Work with a U.S. accountant or bookkeeper
You can apply for an EIN yourself by submitting IRS Form SS-4. If you don’t have a U.S. Social Security Number, that’s okay—it can still be done by fax. Alternatively, services like Bookmate can help apply for the EIN on your behalf.
Do I Have to File Taxes in Spain Too?
Yes, likely. Spain taxes its residents on their worldwide income, which means any money distributed to you from your Wyoming LLC may need to be reported to the Agencia Tributaria (Spanish Tax Agency).
Spain and the U.S. have a tax treaty, which helps avoid double taxation in many cases. But reporting requirements still exist.
We recommend working with a Spain-based accountant to coordinate your local filings. Bookmate handles only your U.S. tax obligations, but we’re happy to collaborate with your local advisor as needed.
How Bookmate Helps Spanish Founders
At Bookmate, we specialize in helping non-U.S. residents like you file the correct U.S. tax forms each year. Whether your business is simple or complex, we make tax filing easy, remote, and paperless.
Our services include:
- Form 5472 + pro forma 1120 for single-member LLCs
- Form 1065 + Schedule K-1s for multi-member LLCs
- Form 1040-NR if needed for foreign owners with U.S. income
- Filing extensions when necessary
- Responding to IRS letters or notices
We’ve worked with dozens of Spanish founders and digital entrepreneurs who want peace of mind while scaling their U.S. company.
What It’s Like to Work With Bookmate
Step 1: Free Consultation Schedule a Zoom call with one of our tax specialists to go over your company and needs.
Step 2: Engagement and Invoice We’ll send over a service agreement and simple invoice. No subscriptions or hidden fees.
Step 3: Secure Onboarding You’ll fill out an online form with your EIN, ownership details, and other essentials.
Step 4: Form Preparation Our licensed CPAs will prepare your tax forms, double-check everything, and share them with you for approval.
Step 5: Filing and Follow-Up We submit your returns and stay available to respond to any IRS notices if they come up.
No paperwork. No mailing. Just accurate, reliable tax filing for your U.S. business.
Need Help Filing Taxes for Your Wyoming LLC From Spain?
We’d love to help. At Bookmate, we specialize in helping Spanish founders stay compliant with U.S. tax laws while growing their Wyoming LLCs. Whether you’re just starting out or catching up on missed filings, we’re ready to guide you.
📅 Book a free consultation or visit trybookmate.co to learn more.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Please consult a Spanish tax advisor for obligations in Spain.
