Taxes are complicated, especially for foreigners doing business in the U.S. We’ve got your back.
Because Optic does not prepare tax returns or bookkeeping, our guidance is independent and focused entirely on helping you make informed decisions.
As the owner of a startup, you need to ensure your startup tax filing is completed correctly each year, regardless of whether you sold anything (or not) or made any money (or even lost some!).
U.S. business taxes can be complex, particularly for founders operating across borders. Understanding the rules early helps avoid costly mistakes and makes it easier to work effectively with tax professionals. Optic provides educational consulting designed to help founders understand U.S. tax and structural frameworks so they can make informed decisions as their businesses grow.
Whether you are launching a new company, expanding internationally, or managing an existing structure, a clear understanding of tax obligations reduces risk and prevents unexpected compliance issues.
C-Corporation
(C-Corp)
A corporate structure where the company and its owners, the shareholders, enjoy separate tax identities. This setup is ideal for entrepreneurs who want to attract investors, secure funding, and possibly launch an initial public offering (IPO) down the line.
Foreign-Owned
U.S. Subsidiary
U.S. entities that are wholly or partly owned by a foreign entity and are required to file in the USA. Compliance includes Forms 5471, 926, GILTI, 8938, and FBAR filings.
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
A business entity that blends a partnership’s tax efficiency with a corporation’s liability protection. It grants tax advantages, flexible management, and simple paperwork to its owners.
Foreign-Owned
U.S. Companies
U.S. entities that are wholly or partly owned by a foreign person require additional filings with the IRS reporting the foreign owners. We work with founders to make sure the correct filings are submitted for your LLC’s or Corporations.
Better Optics for Smarter Business Improve Your Company’s Optics
Expertise in Foreign Founders
Optic focuses extensively on the tax and compliance challenges faced by companies with foreign ownership. We help founders understand U.S. tax frameworks, reporting requirements, and structural considerations so they can avoid costly mistakes and plan with confidence. Our experience across many international structures allows us to identify issues early and explain the practical implications in clear terms.
Independent Third-Party Guidance
You work directly with a dedicated Optic consultant who learns your structure and goals and helps you translate complex rules into clear decisions. The purpose isn’t to replace your tax preparer, it’s to give you informed, founder-friendly clarity so you can ask better questions, understand tradeoffs, and avoid preventable surprises.
No Nickel and Diming
Because Optic provides educational consulting only, our work is scoped around answering your questions and helping you understand the frameworks that apply to your situation. There’s no incentive to “sell” extra forms or filings. If something is outside scope, we’ll tell you clearly—and point you to what to ask your preparer to do next.
A Second Set of Eyes
Cross-border compliance is an area where founders often benefit from an independent review. Optic consultations provide a neutral, third-party perspective. This helps you sanity-check assumptions, identify potential risk areas, and confirm that your structure and reporting approach align with your growth plans and ownership profile.
Precision In Every Detail
International and startup tax rules can be technical and high-stakes. Optic helps founders understand the details that matter: definitions, thresholds, elections, and reporting logic. This way decisions are made with clarity, not guesswork. The goal is better business optics: cleaner structure, fewer surprises, and smoother coordination with the professionals who prepare and file your returns.
Your time is valuable, so we keep things easy and straightforward
Our consultation process is designed to give you clear answers quickly, without unnecessary steps or ongoing commitments.
Start by booking a consultation through our website so we can understand your business structure and the questions you want answered. Before the call, you can share any relevant background information or documents so we can focus on what matters most.
During the consultation, your Optic advisor will walk through your situation, explain the rules that apply, and highlight practical considerations for compliance and planning. The goal is to help you understand your options and make informed decisions, not to sell you additional services.
After the consultation, you’ll leave with a clearer understanding of your tax framework and the next steps to coordinate with your tax preparer or accounting team.