Doing Business in the United States: Trade, Tax, and Strategic Entry Points for 2025

 

By Maria G., Strategic Consultant
Published: May 2025

The United States remains the world’s largest economy and one of the most dynamic destinations for foreign direct investment (FDI), driven by innovation, regulatory predictability, and deep capital markets. In 2025, the U.S. continues to lead in global competitiveness, with foreign investors focusing on both national-scale opportunities and strategic state-level entry points.

The U.S. offers unparalleled access to a consumer market of over 330 million people, with trade agreements, robust IP protection, and one of the most transparent judicial systems in the world. Through programs like SelectUSA, international companies receive guidance on investment incentives, sector-specific programs, and cross-state regulatory frameworks. For details, visit: www.selectusa.gov

When planning U.S. market entry, choosing the right state can significantly impact operational costs, tax exposure, and access to logistics or talent. Among the most strategic regions:

  • Texas: No corporate income tax at the state level, pro-business regulation, and major logistics hubs in Houston and Dallas. Ideal for energy, tech, and manufacturing.

  • Florida: A key trade gateway to Latin America, with special economic zones, no personal income tax, and robust financial services in Miami.

  • New York: A global center for finance, law, and innovation. Though taxes are higher, New York offers unmatched access to capital, international institutions, and elite talent.

  • California: The largest state economy in the U.S., home to the global tech ecosystem in Silicon Valley and biotech innovation in San Diego. Regulatory complexity is balanced by market scale and opportunity.

  • Georgia (Atlanta): Emerging as a logistics and fintech hub, Georgia offers one of the best infrastructures in the South and competitive tax credits for businesses and investors.

The U.S. tax landscape is defined by a federal corporate tax rate of 21%, with additional state-level taxes that vary significantly. Foreign companies benefit from a vast treaty network, strong legal protection, and access to specialized zones like Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) that offer customs relief and duty deferral.

Company formation is straightforward, and foreign entities can establish LLCs, C-Corporations, or branches, often within 48–72 hours. Depending on the state, non-residents may benefit from favorable holding structures and limited disclosure regimes.

U.S. compliance, particularly in sectors like finance, real estate, and import/export, is strict—but clear. Investors must consider FATCA, anti-money laundering requirements, and proper legal representation when navigating cross-border asset flows.

In 2025, the United States remains a powerhouse for international business. With the right strategic guidance, foreign investors can access not only a massive internal market, but also the global leverage that comes with a U.S. footprint.

The United States has long attracted global high-net-worth individuals (HNWI) and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWI) not only for its lifestyle and security, but for its sophisticated wealth planning tools, legal protections, and investment flexibility. In 2025, the U.S. remains a leading destination for private clients looking to preserve, grow, and discreetly structure global wealth.

Unlike traditional offshore centers, the U.S. offers robust legal protections, estate planning certainty, and a degree of confidentiality under state-based trust law. It is now considered by many to be a new “onshore haven” for compliant, tax-efficient, and strategically managed private wealth.

Several states stand out for their appeal to UHNWI:

  • Florida: Long favored by international families for its tax efficiency, climate, and financial infrastructure. With no state income or estate tax, Miami has become a global capital for Latin American wealth and private banking.

  • California: Despite its high taxes, it remains a magnet for tech billionaires, entertainment moguls, and innovators. Family offices and alternative asset funds thrive in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

  • New York: The U.S. center for legacy wealth, family offices, and global finance. NYC offers top-tier services in trust management, philanthropy strategy, and cross-border planning.

  • Texas: With zero personal income tax, a business-friendly environment, and a growing luxury real estate market, Texas cities like Austin, Dallas, and Houston are increasingly drawing UHNWI families and executives relocating from higher-tax states.

  • Wyoming, South Dakota, and Nevada: Known for their elite trust legislation, low regulation, and asset protection frameworks, these states have emerged as top-tier destinations for domestic and international trusts, dynasty planning, and family foundations.

U.S. trust structures allow for multi-generational asset protection, income deferral, and strategic gifting, all while complying with U.S. tax law and FATCA. Wealthy families also benefit from access to private placement life insurance (PPLI), direct investments, and non-reportable holding structures in certain configurations.

Residency for tax purposes can be optimized through treaty planning, partial year residency, and the use of special visas for investors (e.g., EB-5 or E-2), especially for non-domiciled clients seeking controlled U.S. exposure.

Luxury real estate, philanthropy, and elite education remain lifestyle drivers for families choosing the U.S. as a secondary base or long-term hub. With tailored advisory, UHNWI can successfully navigate both state and federal frameworks while aligning with legacy, succession, and global strategy goals.

The United States as a Private Wealth Hub: Where UHNWI Thrive in 2025

Strategic Bridge to and from the U.S.: How We Help Businesses and UHNWI Navigate U.S. and International Expansion

The United States is not just a market—it is a platform. At Taxhells, we support international companies and Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individuals (UHNWI) in building bridges to and from the U.S. with precision, discretion, and legal intelligence. Whether you’re entering the American market for the first time or seeking to expand your U.S.-based business into global jurisdictions, our firm provides full-spectrum support that blends legal compliance with strategic foresight.

For international investors entering the U.S., we offer:

  • Tailored market entry strategies, including the selection of optimal states based on regulatory, tax, and industry-specific conditions.

  • U.S. company formation and structuring, from LLCs and C-corps to trust-backed holding vehicles for asset protection and inheritance planning.

  • Cross-border tax optimization, using our deep understanding of double taxation treaties, inbound investment rules, and FATCA/CRS compliance.

  • Regulatory and compliance onboarding, including KYC/AML programs, E-2/EB-5 visa pathways, and coordination with U.S. legal counsel.

  • Private client services for UHNWI, with trust and estate planning aligned with U.S. and home country law.

For U.S. companies and UHNWI seeking international diversification or expansion, our value is even more unique. Drawing on our first-hand experience in over a dozen key jurisdictions, we design and implement outbound strategies that are compliant, efficient, and geopolitically sound.

We help:

  • U.S.-based companies expand to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, with turnkey incorporation and structuring services in Spain, Portugal, Morocco, the UAE, Switzerland, and Malta.

  • Private clients open compliant banking and investment accounts abroad, using discreet introductions and legal due diligence through licensed partners.

  • Family offices set up international trusts and private foundations, especially in Switzerland and Malta, for legacy, philanthropy, and succession goals.

  • U.S. exporters and importers navigate customs, VAT systems, and trade compliance regimes, especially in the EU and MENA.

  • HNWI obtain alternative residencies or tax domiciles, when relocation or dual residency strategies are required.

We don’t just consult—we structure, introduce, and shield. Our firm operates at the intersection of legal, fiscal, and strategic intelligence, ensuring that our clients—whether multinational corporations or discreet families—act with clarity, purpose, and competitive advantage.

Our team is based in Geneva and works across Spain, Switzerland, the UAE, North Africa, and select jurisdictions in Europe and the Americas. We understand the complexity of regulated cross-border activity—and we know how to neutralize the friction, legally and reputationally.

If you’re looking to expand into the U.S., or if you’re already in the U.S. and looking to build abroad, we are your confidential partner in global alignment.