At Bookmate, we focus on helping founders stay compliant with U.S. tax laws—especially those who live outside the U.S. but operate U.S. businesses. While we handle a wide range of tax filings, bookkeeping, and advisory services, there are a few areas we intentionally do not offer.
This guide will walk you through the services we don’t provide and share trustworthy alternatives so you can confidently manage every part of your business setup and compliance.
Each of these tools and partners complements what Bookmate does best: making U.S. taxes easier for global founders.
Incorporation Services
Bookmate does not assist with the incorporation of U.S. companies. This includes forming an LLC or C Corporation, filing incorporation documents with a state, securing a registered agent, or obtaining an EIN. These are all part of a legal process that must be completed before any federal tax filings can be done.
What Incorporation Actually Means:
Incorporation is the legal process of creating a U.S. business entity that is recognized by a specific state—most commonly Delaware or Wyoming. It’s more than just submitting a form. To properly incorporate a business in the U.S., you are required by law to:
- Choose a state of incorporation (e.g. Delaware, Wyoming, Florida)
- File Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization with the state
- Appoint a registered agent located in that state who can receive official mail and legal notices
- Maintain a U.S.-based mailing address to receive IRS and state letters (PO boxes and virtual mailrooms are common)
- Obtain an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS, which is needed to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file taxes
These steps must be completed before you can engage in business activities, sign contracts under your company name, or begin working with Bookmate.
Where Bookmate Starts:
We step in after your company is legally formed. Once your LLC or C Corporation has been properly incorporated and your EIN has been issued, Bookmate can help you:
- File your required federal tax forms (such as 5472, 1120, 1065,etc)
- Maintain accurate bookkeeping
- Stay compliant with IRS filing deadlines
- Understand how U.S. tax law applies to your business as a foreign or remote founder
We do not handle the legal setup or registration of your entity. That must be done before we can begin working with you.
Where to Go for Incorporation:
- Firstbase.io – A trusted partner for international founders. They manage incorporation, EIN applications, registered agent services, and offer a helpful compliance dashboard.
- Doola – Great for non-residents and digital entrepreneurs
- Bizee (formerly Incfile) – Affordable and fast service
- Zen Business – Known for strong customer support and clear pricing
- LegalZoom – A traditional option with extensive legal service offerings
All of these companies provide registered agent services and can help you secure an EIN—both of which are required before Bookmate can handle your federal tax filings.
State Filings
Bookmate does not handle state-level compliance filings. This includes annual or biennial reports, franchise tax filings, and business license renewals. These are separate from your federal tax obligations and are required even if your business has no income or activity.
Why State Filings Matter:
When you form a U.S. company, you create a legal entity governed by the state where it is registered. Each state has its own rules for maintaining that entity. Common requirements include:
- Annual or biennial reports to confirm business details
- Franchise taxes or gross receipts taxes
- State or local license renewals
Missing these filings can result in penalties, late fees, or administrative dissolution of your company. It can also affect your company’s ability to open bank accounts, raise capital, or remain in good standing.
Where to Go Instead:
Most incorporation services, such as Firstbase, Doola, or Bizee, include compliance tools that help you manage these filings. They often offer reminders and filing support as part of their service plans.
You can also check with your registered agent provider. Many offer dashboards or alerts that track state deadlines and provide options to file on your behalf.
Before working with Bookmate, make sure your state filings are up to date. We handle federal tax filings and bookkeeping, but state compliance must be addressed separately.
Dissolution Services
If you plan to close your U.S. company, Bookmate does not manage formal business dissolutions. This includes notifying the state, canceling business licenses, or informing the IRS that your company is no longer operating.
Why This Matters:
If you do not dissolve your business properly:
- The IRS may still expect annual tax filings
- States can continue to charge franchise taxes and late fees
- You may face compliance issues if you try to start a new entity
Where to Go Instead:
Trusted Dissolution Services:
- Starcycle.ai - The up and coming player, reach out to us for a dedicated introduction to the team
- ClickDissolve.com – Offers streamlined business dissolution with automated filings for various states.
- SimpleClosure – Specializes in closing U.S. entities, including Delaware and Wyoming companies.
Both services make it easy to officially shut down your company without leaving open liabilities behind.
How This Fits Into Bookmate’s Services
Bookmate focuses on supporting founders once their company is established. After you’ve incorporated, we help you:
- File federal tax forms such as 1120, 1065, 5472, and 1040-NR
- Stay compliant with IRS deadlines and document requirements
- Maintain accurate bookkeeping and financial records
- Navigate international tax scenarios involving non-U.S. shareholders, cross-border income, or digital products
- Understand the ongoing compliance obligations that apply to your specific entity and business model
We’re proud to work with hundreds of founders across more than 100 countries, but we believe in doing only what we do best, and referring you elsewhere when it makes sense.
Putting It All Together
Bookmate is here to be your long-term partner in tax and compliance, but every founder journey begins with the right setup. If you’re just starting your company or need to dissolve it, there are excellent services available that can handle those steps for you.
We only recommend platforms we trust and that our clients have had success with. Whether you’re incorporating, filing with your state, or shutting down, these companies provide reliable support that complements what Bookmate offers.
If you have questions about which service to use or how to coordinate these tasks with your tax filings, we’re happy to advise.
Start with incorporation, then let Bookmate take care of your filings. Book a free consultation to discuss your next step: https://calendly.com/d/cwq3-kv4-k93/bookmate-consultation-blog. Visit our website to learn more: trybookmate.co.
Each tax situation is unique. Talk to Bookmate for personalized guidance.
