The IRS continues to encourage taxpayers to use “direct deposit” for refunds and refunds should generally be deposited into an account owned by the taxpayer, because it is faster, safer, and more reliable than receiving paper checks. Taxpayers who expect refunds or need to make U.S. tax-related payments can benefit from having access to U.S. banking details. The account must support U.S. routing and account numbers for ACH deposits.

For Americans living in Spain, opening a traditional U.S. bank account can be difficult without a U.S. address or in-person visit. Fortunately, there are practical alternatives that provide U.S. banking details online.

In this article aimed at U.S. expats in Spain, we would focus on Wise for individuals and either Mercury or Revolut Business for LLC owners, as these are currently among the most practical online solutions without requiring travel to the United States.

1. Wise is one of the easiest solutions for individual taxpayers living abroad.

After opening a Wise account and activating USD account details, users receive a U.S. routing & account number, the ability to receive ACH transfers and U.S. wire transfers, with a multi-currency functionality for converting USD to EUR at competitive exchange rates

To open a Wise Account you need to visit www.wise.com, create a personal account, complete identity verification, add a USD balance, request USD account details and once approved, access your U.S. routing and account number through the Wise app or website.

The IRS accepts direct deposit to U.S. financial accounts by using the routing number and account number entered on your tax return. Since Wise provides U.S. account details capable of receiving ACH deposits, many expats use Wise to receive federal tax refunds.

With a Wise account you will have a fully online application, it is available to Spanish residents You do not need to maintain a traditional U.S. bank relationship. Easy conversion from USD to EUR.

Wise is a financial technology company rather than a traditional U.S. bank. Users should review current eligibility and service terms before relying on it as their primary banking solution.

This isn’t a bank account, but you can receive money in the same way by sharing the details with friends, family, clients or companies, so that they can send you money. 

They can pay you domestically from their bank in the US, or internationally by Swift. Once you receive the money, it’ll be credited to your USD.

Note, the name for your ‘main account’ in Wise can vary based on your location. To find the exact terminology used in your region, please check the product directly.

• Mercury, has become one of the most popular banking solutions for entrepreneurs operating a U.S. LLC from Spain. It is designed specifically for startups, online businesses, consultants, software companies, and e-commerce sellers who need U.S. banking capabilities without visiting a physical branch.

Mercury allows eligible businesses to access to U.S. checking and savings accounts, ACH payment capabilities, domestic and international wire transfers, virtual and physical debit cards, multi-user access for teams and accountants, integrations with accounting and payment platforms

Mercury works with FDIC-insured partner banks, providing customers with U.S. banking infrastructure through a fully digital platform.

To open a Mercury Account, you need to visit www.mercury.com, create a business account application, provide details about your LLC or corporation, upload identification documents for the owners, submit supporting company documentation and complete the verification process. Once approved, access your U.S. account and routing numbers online.

The entire process is typically completed remotely, making it particularly attractive for non-resident business owners.

Many U.S. LLC owners living abroad use Mercury because it offers a genuine U.S. business banking experience, no need to travel to the United States, easy access to ACH payments from U.S. clients, compatibility with Stripe, PayPal, Amazon, and other payment processors and modern online banking tools designed for digital businesses

Mercury is ideal for single-member LLC owners, consultants serving U.S. clients, E-commerce businesses, Amazon FBA sellers, SaaS companies and digital nomads and entrepreneurs living in Spain

Mercury has fully online application process, U.S. account and routing numbers, receive payments from U.S. customers through ACH, send domestic and international wires, has a user-friendly online platform and no need for a Social Security Number in many cases.

Mercury evaluates each application individually and may request additional documentation regarding the business, owners, and activities. Approval is not guaranteed, and eligibility requirements can change over time.

For foreign-owned U.S. LLCs, Mercury can simplify U.S. tax compliance by providing domestic banking details for IRS payments, tax-related transactions, and receiving funds from U.S. customers. Combined with electronic filing and direct payment methods, a U.S.-based business account can help streamline operations and reduce international banking complications.

• Revolut Business for entrepreneurs operating a U.S. LLC from Spain, Revolut Business can be a practical solution.

Eligible business customers can obtain USD account details, ACH routing number, wire routing number, international payment capabilities and multi-currency accounts for global business operations.

To open a Revolut Business account, you need to visit business.revolut.com, select a business account, enter company information, upload proof of identity and business documentation and complete the verification process. Once approved, access USD account details through the platform.

Revolut Business is particularly attractive for single-member LLC owners living in Spain, E-commerce businesses, consultants and freelancers with U.S. clients and companies needing USD banking details without opening a traditional U.S. bank account.

You will have fully digital onboarding, USD local account details, the ability to send and receive ACH payments, the integration with international business operations and, of course, a multi-currency management from a single platform.

Revolut Business eligibility depends on the jurisdiction of the company and the residence of the beneficial owners. Applicants should confirm current requirements before applying.

Summary

For Americans living in Spain:

• Wise is often the simplest solution for personal IRS refunds.
• Mercury is an excellent option for LLC owners seeking a dedicated U.S. business banking relationship.
• Revolut Business remains a strong alternative for companies that need both U.S. banking details and multi-currency management.

For many location-independent entrepreneurs, Mercury has become the preferred choice because it combines the convenience of online onboarding with the functionality expected from a modern U.S. business bank account

As the IRS increasingly promotes direct deposit and electronic payments, having access to U.S. account details can significantly simplify tax compliance, speed up refunds, and eliminate delays associated with international paper checks.

Disclaimer: Banking products, availability, and eligibility requirements change periodically. Always confirm current terms and conditions directly with Wise and Revolut before opening an account or providing banking details to the IRS.

Antonio Rodriguez

CEO – US Tax Consultants

+34 915 194 392