Company incorporation United States

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End-to-End Setup From Formation to Operational Readiness

For European and Asian groups entering the US, soft landing covers the full market entry lifecycle in one engagement. WVT handles entity formation, drafting of articles of incorporation and organisational documents, EIN and state-level tax registrations, registered agent appointment, and the local mailing address and mail forwarding setup. The same engagement establishes the operational infrastructure — bank account opening with US financial institutions, a Resident Director where required, and a governance framework that preserves parent-level control over key decisions across all four soft landing jurisdictions.

Our expertise

WVT advises multinational groups, private equity fund managers, and in-house legal and tax teams on soft landing services across the United States, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. The team handles inbound market entry, US holding companies within European structures, and the tax, corporate, and substance questions that arise when entities sit across jurisdictions in the same group.

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C-Corp, LLC, or Branch: Choosing the Right Vehicle

For a European parent, a US C-Corp is usually the correct vehicle. It preserves treaty access, isolates US tax exposure, and matches how US customers, employees, and investors expect to contract. LLCs suit a narrower set of cases — typically PE fund holding structures or joint ventures with US partners. WVT models the after-tax position under each alternative — including GILTI, Subpart F, BEAT, and treaty limitation-on-benefits tests — alongside capitalisation decisions and inbound ownership structure, so the entity is correctly designed before it is formed.

FAQ's

Should we incorporate our US subsidiary in Delaware or in the state where we operate?

Delaware offers predictable corporate law and an established court system, which matters for groups expecting investment rounds, M&A, or shareholder disputes. For a group with US employees or physical operations in a single state, incorporating directly in that state can reduce franchise taxes and registration obligations. WVT reviews the operational footprint, investor expectations, and exit planning before recommending a state.

How long does the full soft landing process take from incorporation to operational readiness?

Filing the certificate of formation takes one to three business days. EIN issuance follows within two weeks for foreign responsible parties, and bank account opening adds two to four weeks depending on the institution and verification requirements. WVT runs the soft landing on an accelerated fixed-fee timeline, sequencing entity formation, tax registrations, banking, and governance setup in parallel where possible.

Can a non-resident incorporate and own a US company without living in the US?

Non-residents can own US entities without any US residency or immigration status, and this is the standard position for international groups. A US address is required for the registered agent, not the shareholder. The practical constraint arises at the banking stage, where most US banks require in-person verification — a step WVT sequences alongside incorporation, with Resident Director and registered agent services provided where local presence is needed.

What are the tax consequences of a US subsidiary for a European parent company?

A US C-Corp is taxed separately from its parent at the US federal rate of 21%, plus applicable state tax. Dividends to a Dutch or Luxembourg parent may qualify for reduced withholding under the relevant treaty, subject to limitation-on-benefits rules. Capitalisation choices — debt versus equity — and intercompany transaction flows drive the long-term tax cost, and WVT models these before the entity is formed.

How does US soft landing fit with an existing Dutch, Luxembourg, or Swiss holding structure?

The US entity typically sits beneath the European holding company, with treaty planning determining the flow of dividends, royalties, and interest. Substance requirements at the holding level, transfer pricing documentation, and Pillar Two obligations need to be coordinated across jurisdictions. WVT delivers soft landing across the US, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands under a single engagement, which is where standalone US providers fall short.