Description

Smart Tax Decisions: The Five Decisions that Define your U.S. Tax Exposure

Tax is one of those things U.S.-bound founders think they can figure out later. They're wrong.

The decisions you make early, which entity type to choose, how you structure founder presence in the U.S., where and how you hire, have tax consequences that are hard to unwind. And the U.S. system adds complexity that European founders often don't expect: federal taxes are just the beginning. State-level taxes, nexus rules, payroll obligations, and ongoing compliance requirements create a web that catches many founders off guard.

This Founders' Hub Masterclass session cuts through the complexity and gives you the five decisions that define your U.S. tax exposure, so you can make them intentionally, not accidentally.

Topics Covered

• Choosing the Right U.S. Structure The tax implications of each entity option - LLC, C-Corp, Branch, Partnership, and foreign corporation - and what the Germany-to-U.S. "Flip" means for your tax position.

• Founder & Executive Presence Creates Tax Exposure What triggers personal tax filing requirements in the U.S., how decisions about where you manage the business from can create permanent establishment risk, and what founders often don't realize until it's too late.

• Hiring in the U.S. Triggers Obligations Employment taxes, payroll setup, worker classification (employee vs. contractor), and state registration requirements - what you need in place before you hire your first U.S. team member.

• Ongoing Compliance: It's Not a One-Time Setup Annual U.S. federal filing requirements, information return penalties for foreign-owned entities, and why "we'll sort it next year" is a costly mindset.

• State-Level Taxes & Hidden Multi-State Exposure How sales tax nexus, franchise taxes, and multi-state filing requirements can surprise founders who think they're only operating in California.

Speaker 

Monja Bastan
International Tax Advisor, Aprio | U.S. Expansion Tax Strategy for European Companies

Registration & Pricing

This Masterclass is part of the GABA Founders’ Hub Masterclass Series — practical, focused sessions delivered by experienced practitioners, not theorists.

Participants may register per session or for the full course.

If you are interested in becoming a Founders' Hub Member, please reach out to foundershub@gaba-network.org.

GABA Registration and Refund Policy