How to Start an LLC in Nevada

Learn how to form an LLC in Nevada

It’s easy to form an LLC in Nevada online yourself. Just follow these steps:

  1. Name Your LLC
  2. Choose a Registered Agent
  3. File the NV Articles of Organization
  4. Create an LLC Operating Agreement
  5. Get an EIN
  6. File a BOI Report

Or, use a professional service:

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Starting an LLC in Nevada is Easy

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You can get a Nevada LLC online by registering the Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. The cost to create an LLC in Nevada is $425.

Follow our How to Start an LLC in Nevada guide below to get started.

For more information on how to form an LLC in any state, visit our How to Start an LLC guide.

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Step 1: Create a Name For Your Nevada LLC

Before you register your Nevada LLC, you’ll need to come up with a name. Your business name needs to be catchy for branding purposes and legitimate for legal purposes.

Naming Your LLC

First, brainstorm some possibilities. Use our LLC name generator to get the ideas flowing.

Next, make sure your name meets Nevada guidelines:

  • it contains the words limited liability company, limited company, or LLC or L.L.C.
  • it doesn’t contain words like financial, bank, engineer, accountant, university, or architect.
  • it’s distinguishable from any other entity (corporation, partnership, etc.) or DBA name registered in Nevada.
  • full list of Nevada naming guidelines

Next, do a Nevada LLC name search with the Secretary of State to find out if your name is available in Nevada.

If your business name is available and meets guidelines, you’ll be able to register it when you file your Nevada Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State.

Is the URL available? Before you commit 100% to a name, check to see if there’s a good web domain available.

We recommend buying your domain right away because even if launching a business website isn’t on your radar right now, it will be soon.

Domain Name Search

Using a Nevada Fictitious Firm Name (DBA)

A Nevada DBA (doing business as), also known as a ficticious firm name, is any registered name that a business operates under that isn’t its legal business name. A ficticious firm name can be used by any type of business, including a sole proprietorship, partnership, or limited liability company (LLC).

Learn how to get a DBA in our Nevada DBA guide.

Step 2: Appoint a Nevada Registered Agent

When you file your Articles of Organization, you’ll need to list a registered agent. A registered agent’s job is to accept legal documents like service of process and tax notices for your LLC. 

Your registered agent can be a person or a registered agent service. You can act as your own registered agent, but many business owners choose to use a registered agent service.

Here are a few things to think about before you decide to act as your own registered agent:

  • You’ll need to be available during normal (9 am – 5 pm) business hours at the address you provide
  • If you run your business from home, you’ll have to make your personal address public
  • You could be served with a lawsuit in front of your family or coworkers

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Northwest offers a free year of registered agent services when you form your Nevada LLC ($29 plus state fees) with them.

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Step 3: File the Nevada LLC Articles of Organization

It’s time to officially form your LLC by filing your Articles of Organization with the Nevada Secretary of State.

You can file online with the Secretary of State SilverFlume portal or fill out a hard copy of the Nevada Articles of Organization form and submit it via mail, fax, email, or in-person delivery. 

The application package for an LLC in Nevada contains the Articles of Organization form, the Initial List and Business License form. The total filing fee for a new Nevada LLC is $425. 

Recommended: Now is a good time to decide if your LLC will be member-managed vs manager-managed.

You’ll need to know the following information to complete each “Article”:

  1. Entity Name and Type
  2. Registered Agent Name and Registered Office Address
  3. Dissolution Date
  4. Governing Authority Type
  5. Names and Addresses of Managers or Managing Members
  6. Names and Addresses of Organizers
  7. Certificate of Acceptance of Appointment of Registered Agent

For more detailed help with completing the form, visit our Nevada Articles of Organization guide.

Submit Your Articles of Organization:

Submit by mail or in person with payment (payable to the Secretary of State) to:

Secretary of State New Filings Division
202 North Carson Street
Carson City, NV 89701

You can also submit by fax to (775) 684-5725 or by email to newfilings@sos.nv.gov.

How long does it take to get a Nevada LLC approved? LLC processing can take about two business days online or up to two weeks by mail.

Step 4: Create a Nevada LLC Operating Agreement

Creating a Nevada LLC operating agreement is the only way to legally lock down your LLC’s management and ownership structure. Having an operating agreement in place will give you something to return to if a dispute or lawsuit arises. 

Even single-member LLCs benefit from having an operating agreement.

Your operating agreement should outline the following:

  • Each member’s responsibilities
  • How new members will be admitted
  • How existing members may transfer or terminate their membership
  • How profits and dividends will be distributed

You can add as many provisions as you want, as long as they don’t conflict with Nevada business law. Take a look at our What is an Operating Agreement guide to learn more.

Download a template or create a custom Free Operating Agreement using our tool.

Step 5: Get an EIN For Your Nevada LLC

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is like a Social Security number (SSN) for your company. The IRS and the state of Nevada will use this number to track your business activity.

Your EIN will come in handy when it’s time to:

  • Open a business bank account
  • File Federal and State taxes
  • Hire employees

The best way to get an EIN for your LLC in Nevada is by using the free online application on the IRS website.

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Step 6: File a Beneficial Ownership Information Report

When forming a Nevada LLC, one of the important steps is to complete the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

This report — also known as the FinCEN BOI report — is designed to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and other illicit activities by requiring LLCs to disclose information about their beneficial owners.

This is free to file through the FinCEN website

New LLCs must complete this filing within 90 days of formation. Existing LLCs must file before January 1, 2025. 

Failure to complete this filing requirement will result in a $500 per day fine.

Steps After Forming an LLC in Nevada

After forming your Nevada LLC, it’s important to:

Open A Business Bank Account

A business bank account helps separate personal expenses and company expenses, which is required to maintain your Nevada LLC’s corporate veil. A corporate veil protects your personal assets from creditors in potential lawsuits against your LLC or Business.

Learn more by reading this guide to Banking for Entrepreneurs. For a multi-member LLC, you’ll also want to set up capital accounts for LLC members. We also recommend checking out our review of the best business bank accounts.

Get A Business Credit Card

A business credit card will help separate personal and business expenses while building your company’s credit history. A strong credit history will be useful for raising capital in the form of venture capital, angel investment, or small business loans.

Set Up Business Accounting

Hiring a business accountant is one of the best ways to ensure you’re taking advantage of LLC tax benefits; possibly saving you and your business thousands of dollars per year.

When forming an LLC in Nevada, it’s a good idea to start a relationship with a business accountant as soon as you start your business to help set your company up for success.

Get Business Insurance

Business insurance helps manage risk. The most common forms of business insurance are general liability, professional liability, and workers’ compensation.

Find out the real cost of getting insurance for your business. Get a free quote or call 855-965-3168.

Keep Your Company Compliant

Research Nevada Business Licenses and Permits

To operate an LLC in Nevada, you will need to comply with federal, state, and local government regulations such as health permits, building permits, and signage permits. 

Business licensing and permit requirements vary from state to state. To get started, visit our How to Get a Business License in Nevada guide. To help facilitate this process, you can also utilize a business license service.

The majority of Nevada LLCs will need to register for an annual state business license with the Secretary of State. This registration happens at the time of LLC formation and must be renewed each year alongside the LLC’s annual list for $200.

File Your Nevada LLC Annual List

Nevada LLCs must submit an annual list of managers and/or members to the Secretary of State each year. The annual list costs $150 (for a combined annual filing fee of $350) and can be filed online with Nevada SilverFlume or by mail using the annual list form.

Understand Nevada State Tax Requirements

Nevada businesses selling a physical product are generally required to register for a seller’s permit with the Nevada Department of Taxation. Visit our Nevada Sales Tax guide to learn more about seller’s permits and Nevada sales tax.

If your LLC has employees in Nevada, you will also need to register for unemployment insurance tax through the Nevada Unemployment Insurance Portal and employee withholding tax through the Nevada Tax Center website.

Additionally, Nevada has two business taxes that apply to certain LLCs in the state: the Modified Business Tax, which applies to businesses paying at least $50,000 in wages each quarter, and the Commerce Tax, which applies to businesses with a gross annual revenue of more than $4 million.

Understand Your Nevada LLC’s Federal Tax Requirements

Most Nevada LLCs will need to report their income to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) each year using Form 1065: Partnership Return (multi-member LLCs) or Form 1040 – Schedule C (single-member LLCs).

How you pay yourself will affect your federal taxes. Visit our guide to learn more about how to pay yourself from your LLC.

Know Your Nevada LLC’s Federal Tax Election Options

Pass-through taxation entails a business’s profits passing through to the LLC member’s individual tax returns. Like a sole proprietorship, an LLC is taxed as a pass-through entity, also known as a disregarded entity. 

Once this process is completed and after any tax-deductible expenses are taken out, the LLC members pay self-employment taxes and income tax on their portion of the business income. 

Alternatively, Nevada LLCs can choose to elect to be taxed as an S corporation (S corp) or C corporation (C corp). If S corporation tax status is elected, LLC members can be taxed as employees of the business, potentially reducing tax burden.

More LLC Resources

  • Nevada Foreign LLCs: Forming a foreign LLC allows your company to operate as one entity in multiple states. Download the Nevada foreign LLC form to get started.
  • Nevada Certificate of Good Standing: A certificate of good standing verifies that your LLC was legally formed. To order, follow our Nevada certificate of good standing guide.
  • Dissolving a Nevada LLC: If you are ready to dissolve your LLC, follow the steps in our Nevada LLC Dissolution Guide.
  • LLC Legal Forms: TRUiC offers a number of free LLC legal forms including operating agreements, LLC resolutions, and hiring documents.

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