Doola
US LLC Formation
LLC Formation, Bookkeeping, Business Taxes, and E-Commerce Analytics. All in one platform, one point of contact, zero stress.
CourseFree
LLC & US Tax Basics for OnlyFans Creators & Agencies
A clear guide to understanding LLC, Corporation structures and U.S. tax essentials for OnlyFans creators and agencies. Learn how to protect your income, reduce taxes, and stay compliant.
Free. You only need a member account to watch.
- Video
- 1 h 56 min
- Lessons
- 32
- Taught in
- English
- Subtitles
- English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish
- Price
- Free
Overview
About this course
This course walks OnlyFans agency owners and creators through setting up and running a US company, in 32 short lessons recorded with Riley, a business formation specialist at Doola, and hosted by Arthur from Fanbase Accelerator.
It starts with the three options (LLC, C-Corp and the S-Corp tax election) and explains why a pass-through LLC in Wyoming or Delaware is the usual answer for non-US agencies: no federal tax when there is no effectively connected income (ECI), 0% state tax, but a US tax return to file every year. You then follow the incorporation process step by step: state filing, operating agreement, registered agent, the EIN and why it takes four to six weeks for non-residents, the ITIN, and opening a Mercury account, with a demo of the Doola dashboard.
Dedicated modules cover non-residents (banking options from Wise to Chase, the best long-term setup, a French creator using a Delaware LLC) and US residents (federal tax brackets, when a C-Corp beats an LLC, payroll versus owner distributions, deductible and non-deductible expenses, a Miami creator case study). The course ends with W-9 and W-8BEN forms, payout best practices and Doola's two plans.
Outcomes
What you will learn
- Choose between an LLC, a C-Corp and an S-Corp election for an OnlyFans agency or creator, including the case of US creators earning over roughly $150,000 to $200,000 a year
- Explain pass-through taxation and ECI, and why a non-resident's US LLC files a US return but pays no US tax on OnlyFans management income
- Pick a state for the company (Wyoming or Delaware for non-residents, your home state if you live in the US) and understand state taxes and annual fees
- Follow the formation timeline from state filing to EIN to a working US business bank account, and know why the first quarter adds about two weeks
- Build a banking stack that fits your revenue: wallets like Wise, online banks like Mercury or Revolut Business, and a physical bank such as Chase opened with an ITIN
- Separate business and personal money, pay yourself through payroll or owner distributions, and tell deductible expenses from non-deductible ones
- Keep the company in good standing with bookkeeping, annual state reports, IRS filings and the right W-9 or W-8BEN form, so OnlyFans payouts are not blocked
Audience
Who it is for
- Non-US OnlyFans agency owners who want a US company to receive USD payouts and access US banking
- US-based creators and agencies who still take OnlyFans income on a personal account and want to separate and deduct business expenses
- Beginners in US company structures: no prior knowledge of the IRS, EIN or LLCs is assumed
Syllabus
Course content
9 modules · 32 lessons · 1 h 56 min
- 03LLC (Limited Liability Company) Video lesson7:25The LLC in detail: no shares, board or annual meetings, liability protection and pass-through taxation, with the IRS treating it as a disregarded entity. Arthur warns that LLC ownership splits are not real equity, and Riley explains the operating agreement and why a separate partner contract can be wise.
- 04C-Corp Video lesson6:41How a C-Corp differs from an LLC: it is a separate taxpayer paying a flat 21% on net profit, salaries paid to owners are usually taxed again at home, and shares make it the right vehicle for raising outside capital. Riley also explains why US creators earning over about $150,000 may prefer it.
- 05S-CorpVideo lesson1:10The S-Corp is not a company type but a tax election an LLC or corporation can make with the IRS, blending business and personal US taxes. Because every owner must be a US citizen and tax resident, Riley explains it is not an option for non-Americans and rarely a good fit for agencies.
- 06Why LLC is generally a great fit for creators & agencies?Video lesson1:28A short recap of why the LLC is the practical default for both US and non-US creators and agencies: a simple structure without shares or a board, pass-through taxation, liability protection, access to US banks, cards and fintech, and the ability to receive OnlyFans payouts in USD directly into the company.
- 07Federal taxes (IRS) vs State taxes (Delaware, Wyoming, California…)Video lesson11:04How federal (IRS) and state taxes apply to LLCs and C-Corps. Riley explains pass-through income for US and non-US owners, owning the LLC through a home-country company, effectively connected income (ECI), contractors versus US employees, and why Delaware and Wyoming (0% state tax) beat California (8.84% plus an $800 fee).
- 08Best states to incorporate (Delaware, Wyoming, Florida…)?Video lesson4:38Choosing the state of formation. Non-residents can pick any state and are advised to choose Wyoming or Delaware, both at 0% state tax, while US residents form in the state where they operate. Florida is used as a comparison (5.5% corporate tax on LLC profit, 0% personal income tax), along with filing and annual fees.
- 09Importance of compliance & bookkeeping (even for non-residents)Video lesson2:02Why every US company must file accurate taxes with the IRS each year even when it owes nothing, and why compliance starts with the first bank transaction. Riley covers the annual state reports and fees ($62 in Wyoming, $300 in Delaware) and how clean bookkeeping protects OnlyFans payouts and bank accounts.
- 10What Doola does (LLC formation, Bookkeeping, Tax fillings, Bank setup)Video lesson6:41An overview of Doola's services: company formation with operating agreement, EIN and registered agent address, bookkeeping software linked to over 13,000 US banks plus PayPal and Stripe, a licensed CPA filing federal and state returns, and CPA calls. Riley then compares the Total Compliance and Business in a Box plans.
- 11Step-by-step process (timeline: from filing to bank account)Video lesson3:24The formation timeline: three to five business days for the state filing, then the EIN (one day with a Social Security number, four to five weeks for non-residents via faxed paperwork and IRS calls), then one to three days for an online business bank account. Expect two extra weeks from January to April.
- 12The difference between Doola and a random freelancer on Fiverr?Video lesson4:07Why Riley advises against piecing a company together through Fiverr or Upwork freelancers: Doola states it has formed about 15,000 companies in five years, mostly for non-residents. Arthur explains that unattended or unclosed LLCs can bring fines of several thousand dollars, and Riley explains free dissolution and the state shutdown fees.
- 13EIN explained (for business banking & IRS)Video lesson4:04What the EIN is: the US tax identification number issued to the company, not to a person, required to open any US business bank account and used for every annual tax filing, even without employees. Riley explains why US citizens get it in hours while non-residents wait four to five weeks.
- 14ITIN explained (for personal taxes, physical banking)Video lesson1:49The ITIN is a personal US tax number for non-citizens, the equivalent of a Social Security number. It is not needed to form the LLC or open an online business account, but Riley recommends it for long-term stability because physical banks such as Chase, Wells Fargo or Bank of America require it.
- 15Dashboard Demo: How to manage your LLC (Accounting, Tax Filling, State fees)Video lesson7:31A walkthrough of the Doola dashboard: applying to Mercury in about 24 hours, linking bank accounts, cards, PayPal and Stripe into a transaction log, tagging revenue and expenses, real-time charts of revenue and net income, optional ad platform tracking, and emailing or booking calls with the CPA. The two plans close the lesson.
- 16Doola: Simplified Pricing Made For YouVideo lesson2:42Doola's two plans compared. Total Compliance covers formation, EIN, banking help, bookkeeping software and CPA filings, while Business in a Box adds a dedicated human bookkeeper and a monthly payment option. Arthur estimates a Wyoming LLC at about $1,800 to $1,900 a year with the network discount, state fees covered by promo codes.
- 17Why non-US creators/agencies benefit most from a US LLC?Video lesson3:53Why non-US creators and agencies gain the most from a US LLC: a US business bank account receiving USD, trust from US banks and platforms, built-in liability protection and access to US payment tools. Arthur and Riley conclude that a Wyoming or Delaware LLC fits about 99% of non-US agencies.
- 18No US tax if no ECI (Effectively Connected Income)Video lesson0:41A short reminder of the core rule for non-residents: a US LLC with no effectively connected income pays no US tax on its net profit, but it must still declare every transaction and file a US return each year. Wyoming or Delaware remains the recommended structure for OnlyFans agencies.
- 19Still need to do proper bookkeeping & file IRS returnsVideo lesson1:17Why bookkeeping and annual IRS returns are mandatory even when no US tax is due: skipped filings can lead to fines, a shut-down company or frozen payouts. Riley explains how linked bank accounts and a dedicated bookkeeper keep records accurate from the first day and keep the company in good standing.
- 20Banking optionsVideo lesson9:20Banking options for a US LLC: wallets like Wise, online banks like Mercury, Revolut, Brex, Novo and Payoneer, and physical banks requiring an ITIN and a visit. Arthur shares his own setup and warns that wallets close high-volume OnlyFans accounts within months. Both recommend a physical Chase account once revenue grows.
- 21Best long-term setupVideo lesson1:50Arthur's recommended long-term setup for non-US founders: a Wyoming or Delaware LLC with its EIN, the Total Compliance plan, a personal ITIN to open a physical US bank account, plus Mercury or Revolut for daily operations. He argues this stable base gives access to US credit cards and makes banks elsewhere easier.
- 22Case study: French creator using Delaware LLCVideo lesson3:42Case study of a French creator with a Delaware LLC: a Mercury account connected to OnlyFans for USD payouts (with 51% ownership and a request to OnlyFans support), then transfers to a French company. Riley explains the double tax treaty and the Form 5472, which reports net profit, not individual transactions.
- 23Why US creators & agencies should also use an LLCVideo lesson2:18Why US creators and US-owned agencies should also use an LLC: credibility with banks and platforms like OnlyFans, deductible business expenses and legal tax optimisation. Riley insists on opening the business account under the company's EIN rather than a Social Security number, since commingling personal and business money breaks the protection.
- 24Federal + State tax explainedVideo lesson3:12How personal taxes work for US residents: state income tax on top of the IRS federal brackets, around 22 to 24% below about $200,000 and a jump of roughly 8 points above. Riley explains when an LLC is enough and when a C-Corp taxed at 21% makes more sense.
- 25Payroll vs distributionsVideo lesson3:15The two ways a US owner pays themselves from an LLC: a regular salary through payroll with federal and state taxes withheld, or owner distributions taken at any time without withholding. A $10,000 example shows the total tax is the same, paid either along the way or later when filing.
- 26Deductible expenses (shoots, marketing, management fees)Video lesson2:36What a creator or agency can deduct as ordinary and necessary expenses: phone, computer, camera and lighting, editing software, home office, internet, business travel, OnlyFans platform fees and commissions. Riley also lists what the IRS does not accept, such as cosmetic treatments, gym, clothing, makeup or plastic surgery.
- 27Banking strategies (physical + online)Video lesson2:10Banking strategy for US residents: open a physical business account at Chase or Bank of America in about 20 minutes, pair it with an online bank like Mercury for transfers and currency conversion, and spread funds to limit freeze risk. The account must sit under the company's EIN to keep deductions.
- 28Case study: US agency managing US creatorsVideo lesson2:33Case study of a creator living in Miami: a Florida LLC, an EIN within a week, a Bank of America business account receiving OnlyFans earnings, then salary or distributions, deductible expenses and agency commissions paid from the company. Arthur notes how many creators still receive payouts on personal accounts.
- 29Forms & compliance: W-9 (US), W-8BEN (non-US)Video lesson1:03The two US tax forms to have in place when getting paid as a creator or agency: the W-9 for US residents and the W-8BEN for non-US residents. Riley explains they apply whether you are paying yourself or being paid, and that Doola helps fill them in.
- 30Best practices for payouts (bank info, LLC in good standing)Video lesson1:35A payout checklist: keep the LLC active and in good standing with the state and the IRS, give OnlyFans correct banking details, keep bank paperwork up to date and file taxes on time. Riley explains IRS penalties can reach $25,000, with fines of several thousand dollars more common.
- 31ConclusionVideo lesson2:31Closing remarks: how to contact Riley by email or book a free call, the network discount on both Doola plans, and the option to migrate an existing US company to Doola. Arthur reminds viewers that Doola handles company taxes only, so personal taxes need a separate accountant.
- 32Doola: How much does it cost?Video lesson2:42Pricing recap of Doola's Total Compliance and Business in a Box plans: identical coverage except for a dedicated human bookkeeper, and a monthly payment option on the higher plan. Arthur recommends Total Compliance with a Wyoming LLC and quotes Wyoming ($103) and Delaware ($160) state fees, covered with the network promo codes.
Taught by
Your instructor
Riley
Business Formation Specialist at Doola
Riley Johnson is a Business Formation Specialist at Doola, a Y Combinator-backed company that forms US LLCs and corporations, mostly for non-US owners, and handles their bookkeeping and tax filings. He has worked on US LLCs and corporations for almost seven years and guides founders through formation, tax filings and accounting. He has worked with Arthur's network for about two years, setting up five or six of Arthur's companies and around 20 more for agencies and creators. Calendly: https://calendly.com/riley-doola1/15min-call-with-riley-at-doola Email: riley@doola.com
More about Riley
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
According to Riley, no: an LLC is a pass-through entity, and an online business like OnlyFans management has no effectively connected income (ECI) in the US, so the LLC pays $0 to the IRS. It must still file a detailed US tax return every year, and the net profit is reported to your home country, where you are taxed.
For non-residents the course recommends Wyoming or Delaware, both with 0% state tax. California is shown as the opposite case (8.84% of net profit plus an $800 yearly fee). If you live and operate in the US, you generally form the company in your own state, for example Florida if you work from Miami.
About four to six weeks from start to finish, and six to eight weeks between January and April. The state filing takes three to five business days, the EIN takes four to five weeks for non-residents because the paperwork is faxed to the IRS, and a Mercury account then opens in one to three business days.
Not for an online bank: Mercury only needs the LLC paperwork, the EIN and a passport. An ITIN, a personal tax number, is needed for physical banks like Chase or Bank of America and for US credit cards. Riley and Arthur suggest a trip to open a physical account once the agency moves meaningful monthly revenue.
Riley explains that a C-Corp pays a flat 21% on net profit, while LLC profit lands on the owner's personal return, where the rate jumps above roughly $200,000 of income. For US creators expected to earn well above that level, he suggests looking at a C-Corp and booking a call for a personalised setup.
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