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How do I form an LLC anonymously?

Personal Finance & Money Asked on April 22, 2021

I just read this article and want a second opinion: https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/starting-up-which-state-to-file-your-llc-in

I’m considering starting an LLC because I earn about $400 a month from Patreon; I’m making a game. The thing about this game is it’s NSFW, so I want to stay anonymous. I don’t want anybody to be able to Google my name and discover I’m making a NSFW game.

It seems to me that if I remain a sole proprietor, this is easy: I just report my income to the IRS but not how I earned it (at least, that’s what I’ve been doing so far. I hope I’m not wrong about that.).

I read in that article that Nevada allows you to stay more anonymous than Delaware, but Wyoming allows even more anonymity. I’m not sure which one will be appropriate for me. Though I don’t think it’s likely for me to ever establish a board and have stocks, so if I didn’t have the ability to ask here, I would go with Nevada.

To tell you the truth, I don’t even know if I need Nevada’s anonymity benefits in the first place: Can I just create an LLC associated with my name but give no indication it’s related to NSFW content? I.e. call it "Anodyne Technologies LLC" (a totally benign name) and there’s no way to know that it’s related to a NSFW game?

2 Answers

To tell you the truth, I don't even know if I need Nevada's anonymity benefits in the first place

Of COURSE you do NOT need a Nevada/etc LLC.

It's a ridiculous idea - huge overkill.

With the millions of apps on app stores, this is a completely commonplace problem...

Instead of having your name "John Smith" under the app, you just want a company name "General Software"

To achieve that, simply start an LLC (simply in YOUR state) - exactly what happens in every single case on the apps stores, Patreon, and similar.

It's that easy.

Can I just create an LLC associated with my name but give no indication it's related to NSFW content? I.e. call it "Anodyne Technologies LLC" (a totally benign name) and there's no way to know that it's related to a NSFW game?

Yes, of course, obviously.

With the millions of apps on app stores, this is a completely commonplace problem.

(Hint - don't use a bizarre word like "Anodyne" that will draw attention. Just name it "Western Software" or such.)

Answered by Fattie on April 22, 2021

Yes,Wyoming LLCs work great for that purpose. Wyoming will not disclose your officers or owners to anyone but police etc. you can call the LLC anything you like that is not misleading or taken.

You will need a “Registered Agent” in Wyoming. Cost is about $200/year. They have one job: receiving legal notices.

Further, in any state you do business in, you will need to register as a foreign LLC. You will also need a registered agent in that state.

As far as taxes, a single member LLC with the default pass through tax treatment is treated as a “disregarded entity” so nothing about your taxes changes.

Answered by Harper - Reinstate Monica on April 22, 2021

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