Why Some Developers Use a US Entity

A Limited Liability Company (LLC) in the United States offers several practical advantages for international developers: receiving payments from Google Play in USD is simpler, access to a wider range of international financial services is easier, and the business ecosystem is already very familiar to global technology platforms.

However, forming an LLC in the US carries its own legal obligations, including annual reports, tax requirements (depending on status), and legal responsibilities that must be met. It is important to fully understand these obligations before deciding to establish a US entity.

Primary Documents for a US Business Entity

To verify an LLC or US business entity in Play Console, the documents generally required include Articles of Organization or a Certificate of Formation issued by the Secretary of State of the state where the LLC is formed, an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS, and a DUNS number registered in the name of that US entity.

An EIN is the US federal tax identification number that functions similarly to a NPWP in Indonesia. It is required for opening a business bank account in the US and for various administrative purposes. An EIN can be obtained online through the IRS website.

  • Articles of Organization or Certificate of Formation from the Secretary of State
  • EIN from the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
  • DUNS number registered to the US entity
  • Active registered address in the US
  • Valid registered agent in the state where the LLC is registered
  • Evidence of active business existence

The EIN Process for Non-US Residents

Foreign nationals who form an LLC in the US can still apply for an EIN, although the process is slightly different. Without a Social Security Number (SSN), the EIN application must be submitted using Form SS-4, sent via fax or mail to the IRS rather than through the online application.

EIN processing time for non-residents can take four to six weeks. Ensure that the information entered on Form SS-4 is consistent with your LLC formation documents.

Maintaining US Entity Compliance

Having an LLC in the US is not a one-time registration. There are ongoing obligations that must be met: annual reports to the Secretary of State, registered agent fees, and tax requirements that may apply depending on business activity and ownership structure.

Neglecting these obligations can cause the LLC to become inactive (dissolved) in the state, meaning the formation documents are no longer valid. Documents from an inactive entity cannot be used for business verification.

Data Consistency Between Indonesian and US Entities

If you have both an Indonesian entity and a US entity, ensure there is clarity about which entity is being used for Play Console. Mixing documents from two different entities in a single verification process will cause confusion within the verification system.

The owner or authorized director must be able to demonstrate their connection to the registered entity. All registration processes must be conducted in the name of and with the full knowledge of the rightful business owner.