Free tools for founders forming a company abroad
Every calculator, checker and finder on Heirson, sorted by the job you're doing rather than by page. Each one says what question it answers, whose data it runs on, and whether what you type ever leaves your screen.
tools never send what you type anywhere. The other two ask an official EU or GLEIF service through our server, and nothing is logged.
Which tool do I need?
Pick what you're doing, then the closest question.
Your question
No tool matches that. Try a shorter word, or a form number like 5472.
Choosing a country
Where should the company live, and what will it cost to keep?
Start here if you have a business idea and no jurisdiction yet. These compare places on tax, privacy, speed and the full multi-year bill.
- T01Jurisdiction finder
Which places suit what I mostly do, and what do they cost in year one?
DataHeirson's country research and pricesYour inputRuns in your browser - T02Jurisdiction comparison
Which of two offshore places wins on tax, privacy, speed, audits and three-year cost?
Data9 places, 10 measures, from Heirson's country pagesYour inputRuns in your browser - T03Offshore company cost calculator
What does a company in one of nine places cost over one to five years, against the market median?
DataHeirson study of 53 packages (Nov 2026) plus government feesYour inputRuns in your browser - T04Second-year bill dates
If I form this month, when do the next bills land?
DataRegistry fee calendars summarised on the pageYour inputRuns in your browser - T05Best US state picker
Which of the five LLC states fits my priority, at what price?
DataHeirson prices and state feesYour inputRuns in your browser - T06US LLC cost over time
What does each state cost over one to ten years, with or without Form 5472 help?
DataHeirson prices and state feesYour inputRuns in your browser - T07Wyoming or Delaware
Which state, after four questions, and what is the gap year by year?
DataHeirson prices plus state feesYour inputRuns in your browser - T08Nevada vs Wyoming over ten years
How far apart do the two bills drift, and when is Nevada worth it?
DataHeirson prices; NRS 363CYour inputRuns in your browser - T09BVI or Cayman
Which of the two fits, after five questions, and what does each cost over time?
DataHeirson prices including government feesYour inputRuns in your browser - T10UAE vs Hong Kong tax
On my profit and revenue, what would each place tax?
DataUAE Corporate Tax law and Small Business Relief; Hong Kong two-tier profits taxYour inputRuns in your browser - T11C corp or LLC: one dollar of profit
Where does each dollar go in a C corp versus an LLC, paid out or kept?
Your inputRuns in your browser - T12Holding company shortlist
Which holding jurisdictions fit, from three questions, with prices?
DataHeirson's 16-jurisdiction comparisonYour inputRuns in your browser - T13Tax-free country finder
Which no-income-tax country could I move to on my budget and region?
DataResidence route thresholds reported for 2026Your inputRuns in your browser - T14No Stripe at home: the way in
If my country is not on the list, which company gets me access, at what price?
DataHeirson pricesYour inputRuns in your browser - T15US LLC from India: route check
Does a US LLC work under Indian overseas investment rules, and what goes to my CA?
DataOverseas Investment Rules 2022, Schedule IIIYour inputRuns in your browser - T16Offshore trust laws compared
How do eight trust laws differ on creditor windows and proof?
DataEach place's trust statuteYour inputRuns in your browser - T17Tax havens table
Which of 41 places has which company tax, personal tax, CRS status and EU listing?
DataFilterable table on the pageYour inputRuns in your browser
Naming and forming
What do I call it, and what paperwork comes with it?
Name ideas with the right legal ending, the agreement your LLC runs on, and the documents a bank or a foreign authority will ask to see.
- T18Business name generator
Which names work for my idea, with the ending each registry requires?
DataBuilt-in word lists; 34 company typesYour inputRuns in your browser - T19Name availability check
Is my favourite name valid in that place, and what do I search in the register?
DataOfficial registers, through our search guidesYour inputRuns in your browser - T20Naming rules by jurisdiction
Which words are restricted where, and which ending is compulsory?
DataEach row links its statute or registryYour inputRuns in your browser - T21LLC operating agreement generator
What does a complete agreement look like for my Wyoming, Delaware, New Mexico, Florida or Nevada LLC?
DataClauses tied to each state's LLC ActYour inputRuns in your browser; the file is made on your device - T22Can I be my own registered agent?
From where I live and where the company is, can I act as the agent?
DataRegistered agent rules summarised on the pageYour inputRuns in your browser - T23Beneficial owner test
Through a holding, is my look-through share over 25%, and do registers name me?
DataFATF and EU beneficial ownership testsYour inputRuns in your browser - T24UBO registers by country
Who can see the owner register in 28 places?
DataEach row links its law or registryYour inputRuns in your browser - T25Apostille or legalisation checker
From one country to another, is an apostille enough for my document?
Your inputRuns in your browser - T26Apostille countries list
When did each of 149 parties and territories join, and who objects to whom?
Your inputRuns in your browser - T27Certificate of incumbency issuer
Who issues one in my jurisdiction, and what is the government fee?
DataRegistry fees where publishedYour inputRuns in your browser - T28Property LLC: whose rules apply
If the LLC and the property sit in different states, which state rules bite?
DataState statutes (FL, CA, AZ)Your inputRuns in your browser
Company name preview 31 pages
Type a name on any company page and see it with that place's legal ending, as it would sit on your certificate. Data: Ending rules from each registry. Runs in your browser.
Banking and payments
Where does the money go in, and will the payment arrive?
Account routes for an offshore or US company, the documents banks ask for, and the checks that stop a payment bouncing.
- T29IBAN checker
Is this IBAN valid, which part is the bank and the account, and where is the typo?
Your inputRuns in your browser - T30SWIFT and BIC decoder
Is this SWIFT code well formed, and does its country match the IBAN?
DataISO 9362Your inputRuns in your browser - T31IBAN calculator
What is the IBAN for this bank code and account number?
DataSWIFT IBAN Registry; national layoutsYour inputRuns in your browser - T32IBAN formats table
How long is an IBAN in each country, and is it in SEPA?
DataSWIFT IBAN RegistryYour inputRuns in your browser - T33Offshore account route finder
Where can a company from my jurisdiction, doing my business, open an account?
DataWhat banks and payment firms publish (Nov 2026)Your inputRuns in your browser - T34Bank document checklist
Which of the 12 usual documents do I already have?
DataTypical bank onboarding requestsYour inputRuns in your browser - T35US business account checklist
For my state and ownership, which documents does a US bank want?
DataBank onboarding requirements summarised on the pageYour inputRuns in your browser - T36US bank refusal risk
With my country and what the LLC sells, how likely is a refusal?
DataBank risk factors summarised on the pageYour inputRuns in your browser - T37Reverse charge calculator
On a B2B invoice to an EU customer, what VAT do they self-assess?
DataVAT Directive 2006/112/ECYour inputRuns in your browser - T38US sales tax nexus checker
Have my sales or orders crossed a state sales tax line?
DataEach state's revenue department, linked per rowYour inputRuns in your browser - T39Stripe countries list
Can a business in my country open Stripe directly?
Datastripe.com/global (13 Nov 2026)Your inputRuns in your browser - T40LRS and TCS calculator
Funding the LLC from India: how much TCS, and how much LRS room is left?
DataRBI LRS Master Direction; Income-tax Act 2025, s.394Your inputRuns in your browser
Bank account page for each country 24 pages
Every bank account page has its own tool: a route picker, a document pack builder or a fee or deposit estimator for that country. Data: What banks there publish. Runs in your browser.
Tax and forms
What do I file, when, and what will it cost me in tax?
US forms for owners abroad, residence and day counts, treaty rates and the yearly calendar for each jurisdiction we form in.
- T41US tax form finder
Which IRS forms do I file, sign or receive this year, and by when?
Your inputRuns in your browser - T42W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or W-9?
Which form do I give a US payer?
Your inputRuns in your browser - T43W-8BEN line by line
What goes on each line, for my country and income type?
DataForm W-8BEN (Rev. Oct 2021)Your inputRuns in your browser - T44Treaty rate by country
What rate and article apply to my dividends or royalties?
Your inputRuns in your browser - T45W-8BEN expiry date
Until when is the form I signed valid?
DataForm W-8BEN instructionsYour inputRuns in your browser - T46Active or passive NFFE
Does my company pass the 50% passive income and assets tests?
DataForm W-8BEN-E, Part XXVYour inputRuns in your browser - T47Do you need an ITIN?
After four questions, do I need an ITIN at all?
DataIRS ITIN pagesYour inputRuns in your browser - T48ITIN expiry check
Has my ITIN lapsed from three idle years?
DataInstructions for Form W-7Your inputRuns in your browser - T49W-7 reason finder
Which reason box, a to h, is mine?
DataInstructions for Form W-7 (Dec 2024)Your inputRuns in your browser - T50W-7 envelope builder
What goes in the envelope for my case?
DataInstructions for Form W-7 (Dec 2024)Your inputRuns in your browser - T51EIN route picker
Phone, fax or post: which way do I apply without an SSN?
DataInstructions for Form SS-4 (Dec 2025)Your inputRuns in your browser - T52EIN arrival date
If I send it today by this route, when does the EIN arrive?
DataIRS processing times for Form SS-4Your inputRuns in your browser - T53IRS call hours in your time
When are the IRS lines open where I live?
DataIRS telephone assistance pagesYour inputRuns in your browser - T54Do you file Form 5472?
With my ownership and this year, is a Form 5472 due?
DataTreas. Reg. 1.6038A-1 and 301.7701-2Your inputRuns in your browser - T55Is it reportable?
Does this payment between me and the LLC go on Form 5472, and where?
DataForm 5472 and its instructionsYour inputRuns in your browser - T56Form 5472 deadline and penalty
When is mine due, with or without an extension, and what would a miss cost?
Your inputRuns in your browser - T57Substantial presence test calculator
Do my US trips make me a US tax resident, and how many days are left?
Your inputRuns in your browser; trips stay saved on this device only - T58IRS days vs UK midnights
How does the same trip count for the IRS and for HMRC?
DataHMRC RDR3Your inputRuns in your browser - T59Do you owe US tax?
After four questions, does my LLC create US income tax for me?
DataRules set out on the pageYour inputRuns in your browser - T60US LLC yearly dates
From my state and formation month, what is due and when?
DataState and IRS due dates on the pageYour inputRuns in your browser - T61Where consulting income is taxed
With my US work days and clients, how much income is US source?
DataIRS Publication 519, Table 2-1Your inputRuns in your browser - T62YouTube withholding estimate
How much US tax will be held back from my channel earnings?
DataYouTube help; IRS Tax Treaty Table 1Your inputRuns in your browser - T63Trading safe harbor check
Does trading through my LLC stay outside a US trade or business?
DataIRC 864(b); IRS Publication 519Your inputRuns in your browser - T64US estate tax for non-residents
What estate tax could fall on my US assets above US$60,000?
DataIRS nonresident estate FAQ; Form 706-NA instructionsYour inputRuns in your browser - T65Dividend withholding by country
What will be withheld on my US dividends at my treaty rate?
DataIRS Tax Treaty Table 1Your inputRuns in your browser - T66US rent: 30% or net basis
On my rent and costs, which tax treatment costs less?
DataIRS Publications 519 and 527Your inputRuns in your browser - T67FIRPTA withholding estimator
If I sell, how much does the buyer withhold?
DataIRS FIRPTA withholding pagesYour inputRuns in your browser - T68Delaware franchise tax
With my authorised shares, what is the franchise tax against the US$400 LLC tax?
DataDelaware Division of CorporationsYour inputRuns in your browser - T69Follow one dividend
After each withholding and tax stop, how much of a dividend reaches me?
DataEU Parent-Subsidiary DirectiveYour inputRuns in your browser - T70Participation exemption check
Would my dividend pass the test in nine regimes?
DataEach regime law, linked in the tableYour inputRuns in your browser - T71CFC screen in 17 countries
Would my home country tax my company profits under its CFC rules?
DataEach row links its law or tax authorityYour inputRuns in your browser - T72Treaty tie-breaker
Resident in two countries: which one does the treaty pick?
DataOECD Model Convention, Article 4Your inputRuns in your browser - T73Treaty table, 28 company types
How many treaties does each jurisdiction have, and at what rates?
DataTax authority lists; OECD MLI listYour inputRuns in your browser - T74Will home still tax you?
If I move, does the country I leave keep taxing me?
DataExit and residence rules on the pageYour inputRuns in your browser - T75UAE tax residency certificate check
Do I or my company qualify, and what will the certificate cost?
DataUAE Federal Tax Authority rules and feesYour inputRuns in your browser - T76CRS status by country
Does this country exchange account data, and since when?
DataOECD AEOI commitments and exchangesYour inputRuns in your browser - T77CRS country codes
Which code goes on the form for this country?
DataISO 3166; OECD CRS XML guideYour inputRuns in your browser - T78TIN by country
What do I write in the tax number box for a company or person here?
DataOECD TIN sheets, 69 countriesYour inputRuns in your browser - T79Hong Kong TIN from a BR or HKID
Which part of my Hong Kong number is the TIN?
DataHK Inland Revenue Department; OECD sheetYour inputRuns in your browser - T80CARF start dates
When does my country start crypto account reporting?
DataOECD CARF commitments (14 Sep 2026)Your inputRuns in your browser - T81Who reports a trust
If I live in the US, the UK or elsewhere, who files what for a foreign trust?
DataCited per answer on the pageYour inputRuns in your browser - T82Wyoming license tax
On my Wyoming assets, is it US$60 or more?
DataW.S. 17-29-209Your inputRuns in your browser
Filing date calculator for each country 30 pages
Nearly every annual fees page works out your own filing and payment dates from your formation date, and many add a late penalty tool. Compare them all on annual fees by country. Data: Each registry's fee and filing rules. Runs in your browser.
Tax return deadline calculator 10 pages
Ten country tax pages count out the corporate return deadline from your year end. Data: each tax authority's filing rules. Runs in your browser.
Checking another company
Is the company in front of me real, live and who it says it is?
Before you invoice, sign or pay: the official lookups for VAT numbers and LEIs, the public registers, and the warning signs banks look for.
- T83EU VAT number check
Is my customer's EU VAT number live today, and under what name?
Your inputSends the number to Heirson's server, which asks VIES. Nothing is logged. - T84VAT number formats
Does this number even have the right shape for its country?
DataVIES FAQYour inputRuns in your browser - T85LEI lookup
What is this company's Legal Entity Identifier, and is it current?
Your inputSends the name or code to Heirson's server, which asks GLEIF. Nothing is logged. - T86Shell company red flags
Which of eight warning signs does a counterparty show, and what fixes each?
DataFATF and Egmont Group 2018 report; FinCEN guidanceYour inputRuns in your browser - T87EU list history
Has this jurisdiction ever been on the EU list, and when?
DataCouncil conclusions and Official Journal textsYour inputRuns in your browser - T88Incumbency or good standing?
For my purpose, which certificate should I ask a company for?
DataRegistry practice summarised on the pageYour inputRuns in your browser
Company search for each registry 30 pages
How to search each official register: what is free, what costs money and what the status words mean. All of them side by side: company search by country. Several pages add a status decoder or a name check. Data: Each official company register. Runs in your browser.
What happens to what you type
These tools are built to answer a question, not to collect a lead. None of them asks for an email, and none needs an account.
The pages load fonts and flags from public libraries, like any website. The tools themselves are plain code that runs on your device.
- 86 tools
- Work entirely in your browser. Names, IBANs, trip dates and amounts are never sent to Heirson or anyone else.
- VAT number check
- Sends the country and number to Heirson's server, which asks the European Commission's VIES service. Answers are cached briefly; the number isn't logged.
- LEI lookup
- Sends the name or code to Heirson's server, which asks the GLEIF API. Same rule: no logging of what you searched.
- Saved on your device
- The substantial presence test keeps your trips in this browser's storage so they're there next time. Clearing site data removes them.
- Your country
- Pages guess where you are to tailor examples, from our own server's country tag or your time zone. You can change it in the picker at any time.
Questions about the tools
Are Heirson's tools really free?
Yes. There's no trial, no paywall halfway through a result and no email gate. They sit next to the guides because founders asked the same questions before forming, and a tool answers them faster than a paragraph.
How current is the data behind each tool?
Each tool page names its source and the date it was read, such as the SWIFT IBAN Registry, the HCCH status table or IRS Tax Treaty Table 1. The VAT check and LEI lookup are live: they ask VIES and GLEIF at the moment you search.
Can I rely on a tool's answer for a tax decision?
Use it to understand where you stand and what to ask. The tax and form tools follow official rules and link them, but your own facts decide the outcome, so confirm anything you'll file with a tax adviser in your country.
Which tool should I start with if I haven't formed a company yet?
The jurisdiction finder, then the cost calculator for the two or three places it suggests. After that, the name generator shows what your company would be called there with the right legal ending.
When the numbers say yes, we form it with you.
Every price on the formation pages includes the government fees, and the bank account setup comes with it. Paid in crypto.