How to Start an LLC in Nevada

Written by Benjamin Miller – Attorney, updated on

Nevada is one of the more popular states for forming an LLC. Not only is it often selected by business owners in the securities and financial industry, but small businesses benefit a lot too from a tax-friendly treatment.

There are no corporate taxes, personal income taxes, or franchise taxes.

Since starting an LLC in Nevada is so popular, you have plenty of supporting resources. Nevada Secretary of State (SOS) website provides much guidance and even templates for documents such as an operating agreement.

Even though registering a business entity and doing business in Nevada is simple, you still need to do some prep work.

Table of contents


Step 1: Choose a name for your LLC

Nevada LLC formation begins with choosing a name for your business structure. Once you get some ideas, you need to check if your option is available to register as a legal business name.

For a foreign LLC (i.e., one already incorporated outside the state of Nevada that wants to do business in Nevada), you may have a business name in mind already. However, you’ll still need to check name availability.

Remember: Just because the name is available in one state, it doesn’t mean it’s available in every state. To find out if the name is already in use in the state of Nevada, you can conduct a business name search on the Secretary of State’s website.

nevada business search

Note: Your name must be distinguishable from other Nevada business entities.

Additionally, your LLC business name must include Limited Liability Company or another abbreviation indicative of your status, e.g., LLC or Ltd. Nevada also has some additional guidelines for some industries and rules for business names worth checking.

Name reservations

While preparing the formation documents for your Nevada LLC, you can reserve your business name. A name reservation keeps other businesses from using the name for 90 days. The standard filing fee is $25. Or $50 for expedited service.

Fictitious name

A fictitious name, also called DBA (doing business as), lets you conduct business under a brand name different from your business entity.

For example, you can register a company named “Electrics General LLC” but then operate as “Jason’s Electro Repairs.” DBA registrations in Nevada are handled by county clerks (not the Secretary of State). Costs vary from one city to another. But overall, expect to pay $20-$25 per name.

Step 2: Appoint a registered agent

All Nevada LLCs need to appoint a registered agent.

The registered agent must have a Nevada physical street address where service of process documents can be delivered.

The registered agent’s address will also be the registered office for your LLC. It means that the address details will be listed publicly.

For the above reason, some LLCs choose to hire a registered agent service to maintain privacy. Registered agent service is also useful if you don’t have anyone present on-site during business hours to handle legal documents or don’t have a physical location at all, as many online businesses and foreign LLCs do.

The cost of a Nevada registered agent service is around $100 per year. There are many services to choose from due to the popularity of incorporating in this state.

You’re not legally barred from being your own registered agent in Nevada so long you’re a resident in the state with a physical address.

Step 3: Draft and submit the LLC articles of organization

Filing a Nevada LLC articles of organization is a key step to start an LLC in Nevada or register your business from another state.

Nevada’s Secretary of State created an online portal called SilverFlume for handling all corporate filings.

SilverFlume homepage
SilverFlume homepage. Source: SilverFlume.

Using SilverFlume, you can submit your articles of organization online, and the system will walk you through the process. You can also submit by paper to one of the appropriate addresses listed on the articles of organization form, depending on whether you do regular service or expedited.

The fee structure for articles of organization in Nevada includes:

  • $75 state filing fee
  • $150 initial listing fee
  • $200 business license fee

Total: $425

The Secretary of State’s office for Nevada posts a rough estimate on the processing dates for various filings, including new business registrations.

As of lately, they have a backlog of 15-20 days for processing paper forms. To expedite your filing, you can pay a $125 state fee for 24-hour service.

If you file through the online SilverFlume portal, most applications are processed within a day at no extra cost.

Information needed

You’ll need to include the following information on articles of organization.

  • LLC name
  • The initial list of managers
  • Whether the LLC is member-managed or manager-managed
  • Each organizers’ name, address, and signature
  • A list of any other members that will govern your LLC’s internal affairs, which may need to be in your LLC’s operating agreement as well
  • Your LLC’s registered agent’s name, address, and signature

Certified copies

You can request an extra copy of your articles of organization for an additional $30.

Remember: Nevada law requires that a copy of your LLC’s articles of organization be kept at the registered agent’s office. And so, it’s good to get a certified copy during the registration stage.

Step 4: Get an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS

Your LLC may need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for federal tax purposes. It’s used to identify your LLC on tax returns and is required by federal tax law if you have an employee.

Your Nevada LLC can apply for an EIN from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for free online, fax, or by paper. The IRS also offers a phone option for international applicants.

getting EIN for LLC

If you request EIN online, it’s issued immediately.

Step 5: Create an LLC operating agreement

Having an operating agreement is not mandatory. But it’s a good idea to have one to protect the interests of the LLC members and other parties.

Per Nevada laws, your operating agreement can specify:

  • The rights and obligations of current LLC members.
  • The rights and obligations of other persons that are not members (such as the addition of new members, other persons with interest in the LLC, or a transfer of interest).
  • Management and governing principles of your LLC.

The Nevada Secretary of State offers a free online tool for generating an operating agreement template and customizing your LLC details.

Nevada LLC Digital Operating Agreement
Nevada LLC Digital Operating Agreement. Source: SilverFlume.

Even though Nevada law doesn’t require the operating agreement, it’s worth creating one for multi-member LLCs.

Final steps

Always open a separate business bank account for your Nevada business.

Doing so allows you to have business credit cards and payment processing tools. But more importantly, keep business funds separate from personal ones, which makes tax time easier.

The fees will vary based on the bank you use, and most international and national banks offer business bank accounts so long as you meet the minimum deposit requirements.

Some of the types of accounts, just like personal ones, have extra value-added features such as discounted insurance rates, sign-up bonuses, and more.

Personal Income and Sales Tax Rates:

Nevada does not have an individual state income tax which is certainly an advantage. Nevada does have a sales tax which for 2023 is 4.6%. There may be an additional sales tax combined depending on the particular county.

Summary of Filing Fees:

  1. Name reservation: $25. Or $50 for expedited service.
  2. Filing Fees:
    • $75 state filing fee;
    • $150 initial listing fee;
    • $200 business license fee.
    • Expediting fee: $125 for 25 hr. service.
Advertisement

LLC Formation Service

LLC Formation: $39 + state fees
Pricing:
Turnaround Time:
Help & Support:
Customer Satisfaction:
Ease of use:

Best LLC Service 2023

  • Formed 1,000,000+ LLCs
  • $39 formation includes registered agent service
  • Fast formation & same day filing
  • Exceptional customer reviews
Last updated: Sep 2023

Article by:

Benjamin Miller

Attorney

Benjamin Miller is a corporate, tax and estate planning attorney with a focus on international taxation and estate planning for multi-jurisdictional families and large corporations. Benjamin received his Juris Doctor from Florida International University College of Law and his LL.M. in Taxation from Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Small business tips straight to your inbox

Already running a small business? Get free tips to your inbox.

We respect your privacy. We're GDPR compliant.