What are the main ways to get paid?
| Route | How it works | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| SWIFT wire to the US account | The client's bank sends a wire to your bank's SWIFT code | Sending, intermediary and receiving fees; the client's bank may convert at a poor rate |
| Local receiving account | A provider gives the LLC account details in, for example, euros or pounds; the client pays as a local transfer | Conversion margins when moving to dollars; check whether the provider is a bank |
| Card or wallet payment | The client pays by card through Stripe, PayPal or similar | Processing and cross-border fees; payout timing |
| US ACH or wire from a US-based client | Domestic transfer | Lowest cost |
Which currency should you invoice in?
Invoicing in US dollars moves the currency risk to the client but may put some off. Invoicing in their currency can win business, but you bear the exchange rate and conversion cost. Either way, state on the invoice who pays bank charges, so that intermediary deductions do not leave you short.
For regular clients, agree the currency, the payment route and who bears fees in the contract, so each invoice is paid the same way.
How do you set it up?
Get complete receiving details
Account name exactly as the LLC's legal name, account number, routing or SWIFT code, and the bank's address.
Decide on currencies
Which you will invoice in and where each will be received.
Screen new customers
Against OFAC sanctions lists, especially in higher-risk countries.
Send clear invoices
With the LLC's name, the payment details and the purpose of the payment.
Record each payment correctly
The gross amount, the fees, and the dollar value on the date received.
What compliance points apply?
- Sanctions. US companies generally cannot deal with people or entities on OFAC's sanctions lists. See paying foreign contractors.
- Bank questions. Banks may ask about the source and purpose of incoming international payments. Answer promptly with invoices and contracts. See why banks freeze LLC accounts.
- FBAR. A US LLC is a US person for FBAR purposes, even if disregarded for income tax. If its financial accounts outside the US total more than $10,000 at any time in the year, it files FinCEN Form 114, due April 15 with an automatic extension to October 15.
How the FBAR compares with Form 8938 is covered in FBAR vs Form 8938.
How should international receipts be recorded?
Record each receipt at its US dollar value on the date received, with any bank or conversion fees as a separate expense, so income is not understated. If you hold balances in other currencies, record them in their own accounts and convert at the rate on each transaction date. Differences between the rate when you invoiced and the rate when you were paid are foreign exchange gains or losses. See bookkeeping basics.
See multi-currency bookkeeping for the entries.
Does where the money comes from change the tax?
Not by itself. For a foreign-owned LLC, US tax depends on whether the income is effectively connected with a US business, not on where the customer is. Record all receipts at their dollar value for Form 5472 and your own return. See effectively connected income.
Getting paid from abroad?
We set up how your LLC receives payments, record currency correctly in your books, and handle FBAR filing if it applies.
Questions people ask
How can my US LLC receive payments from abroad?
By SWIFT wire into the US account, through local receiving accounts in other currencies, or by card and wallet processors.
Why did I receive less than the invoice amount?
Sending, intermediary or receiving banks may have deducted fees, or the payment was converted at a poor rate.
Does my US LLC need to file an FBAR?
If its accounts outside the US total more than $10,000 at any time in the year, yes, even if it is disregarded for income tax.
Should I invoice foreign clients in US dollars?
It moves the currency risk to the client. Invoicing in their currency may help sales but leaves you with the conversion cost.
Sources
Every fee, date and rule on this page was taken from these official and primary sources.
- FinCEN: Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR)
- US Department of the Treasury: OFAC sanctions list search
- IRS: Instructions for Form 5472 (Rev. December 2024)
Rules and fees change. If you are reading this long after October 1, 2026, confirm the figures with the source before you rely on them.
Related guides
More in Banking and payments
This guide is general information. It is not tax or legal advice for your situation.