Corporate Structures for Foreign Investors in US Real Estate

More and more non-resident investors are choosing to purchase US real estate through corporate entities rather than in their individual names. This strategy can offer a range of benefits—both in terms of liability protection and long-term tax efficiency.

At Howell International Tax, we help foreign investors evaluate and implement the most suitable entity structure based on their investment goals, risk tolerance, and estate planning considerations.

Why Use a Corporate Entity to Own US Property?

Choosing to invest through an entity such as an LLC or LLP can provide several advantages:

• ✅ Limited Liability Protection
  Safeguard personal assets in a highly litigious US legal environment
• ✅ Simple & Cost-Effective Setup
  Most entity types are affordable to establish and maintain annually
• ✅ Tax Flexibility
  Income may still be taxed at individual tax rates, depending on structure and elections made
• ✅ Generational Estate Planning
  Ownership interests can be transferred or extended to children or heirs with greater ease

Entity Types Commonly Used by Foreign Investors

We work with a wide variety of US and foreign entity types, including:

• Limited Liability Company (LLC)
• Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
• U.S. Corporation – C-Corp and S-Corp
• Foreign Corporation

The optimal structure depends on several factors including the country of residence, tax treaty status, the number of investors involved, income expectations, and long-term plans for the property.

Our Corporate Services Include:

At Howell International Tax, we offer full-service support to foreign investors forming and managing US entities:

• 🛠️ Formation of US Entities
  We coordinate directly with the Florida Department of State to set up LLCs, corporations, and partnerships
• 📍 Registered Agent Services
  Acting as your local Registered Agent—a legal requirement for all entities doing business in Florida
• 🧾 Tax Compliance & Filing Guidance
  Federal, State, and County tax obligations can vary; we help you stay fully compliant
• 🔢 EIN & ITIN Application Support
  We obtain Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) for entities and ITINs for non-resident LLC/LLP members
• 🧮 Entity-Specific Tax Return Preparation
  We prepare and file the correct tax returns based on your business type and income classification

Start Smart – Structure Your Investment Wisely

Choosing the right ownership structure from the beginning can have a significant impact on your tax outcomes and legal protection. Let our team guide you through the options and help you build a compliant, efficient framework for your US property investments.

📞 Contact Simon Howell
Phone: +1 407 508 0986
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