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Comment by asynchronous | Hacker News Reader

This seems pretty cheap and straightforward compared to starting an LLC/LTD in America depending on the state.

Remember this the next time someone takes out the "it's so much easier to start a business in the US compared to Europe" nonsense. Yeah, there will be exceptions (cough Germany), but they're not the norm.

Similarly wrong, some people are under the impression that limited liability companies don't exist in Europe, and if you fail with your business, you personally become liable and unemployable and bankrupt.

For SMEs: banks, etc., just require personal guarantees so it doesn't matter that your company is limited, most financial risks pierce that veil through to being guaranteed, eg against your home.

The UK is the huge exception here. Only other place even remotely close in simplicity are the Baltics.

It's pretty similar in France (from experience), and from what I've heard, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden. In some other EU countries you can't do it online, but the process itself is pretty easy and you can hire intermediaries online to do it for you (e.g. Bulgaria).

At least in DE and NJ it takes about 15 mins and is all online. Costs do vary pretty widely by state though.

As well as minimum annual payments. In CA, if you declare $0, then they have minimum franchise tax. Other states do not

The USA has this weird dynamic where it thinks it is better at all the things where it is not.

That's part of the culture. They figured out long ago you don't need to be the best, you just have to say and believe it. Marketing baby!

I kind of admire the confidence and positivity it gives them. It has its benefits. But being on the receiving end of the ego and boisterousness kinda sucks

That was indeed the context I was providing

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