How to Start an LLC in Nevada

Why Create a Nevada LLC?

The State of Nevada offers several business incentives and grants and tax credits, provided your LLC meets certain criteria. For example, the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program offers funding to businesses located in economically distressed communities. In addition to the Nevada NMTC, Las Vegas has its own NMTC program for businesses located in a low-income community in the city.

For most people looking to start a business, the fastest and easiest way is to create a Nevada limited liability corporation (LLC), a type of business entity ideal for startups and small- to medium-sized businesses. It gives you the advantages and protections that larger corporations benefit from, but with simplified rules and regulations.

The benefits of starting a Nevada LLC:

• Protects your personal assets from your business liability and debts

• Easy tax filing and potential advantages for tax treatment

• Quick and simple filing, management, compliance, regulation and administration

• No state income tax

Learn more about the benefits of the LLC business structure.

In this guide, you’ll find information on naming your LLC, getting a Registered Agent, the fees you’ll need to pay, Nevada business taxes and much more. We also cover what you'll need to register and file your LLC and how you'll interact with the Nevada Secretary of State (SOS).

How to Form an LLC in Nevada Yourself in 6 Steps

1

Complete a Nevada LLC Search and Choose a Unique Business Name

You’ll need a distinctive and original name for your LLC that’s not used by any other business in the state, whether in Las Vegas or Reno. If you’re having trouble coming up with a name, try using Incfile’s Business Name Generator to brainstorm ideas. You'll need to follow a few naming rules, which you can read about in detail on the Nevada Business Names page.

For example, Nevada restricts the use of certain words, such as "engineer," "engineered" or "professional engineer,” in business names. If you want your limited liability company name to include any of those words, you'll first need approval from the Nevada State Board of Engineers.

Once you’ve chosen a name, you’ll need to make sure it’s available in Nevada. To find out whether another company is using your chosen business name, use our tool to do a business name search. You can also carry out a name search on Nevada SilverFlume, the state's online business portal.

2

Provide an Official Address for Your LLC

Whether it’s an office building, a home (if the company is run from a residence) or any other physical location, every LLC in Nevada must have a designated street address. It can be outside the state, and it can be a P.O. Box.

For even more convenience, you could use a virtual mailbox for your business address. Incfile can provide you with a Nevada virtual mailbox, where we'll receive your mail and scan it for you to access online. This can be especially important if you run a home-based business to keep your home address from being published as part of your business public record.

3

Assign a Registered Agent

A Registered Agent is a person or entity who receives official legal and tax correspondence and is responsible for filing reports with the Nevada Secretary of State. Every LLC in Nevada is required to have a Registered Agent.

This position can be filled by you, another manager in the business or a dedicated Registered Agent service. If your Registered Agent is a person, they must reside and have a physical street address in Nevada and they must be present to receive important documents for your company during business hours. In Nevada, you designate your Registered Agent when you file your Articles of Organization to formally create your business.

At Incfile, all of our packages include a Nevada Registered Agent service that's free for the first year and just $119 per year afterward. It provides a dashboard where you can log in and easily view any document we've received on your behalf.

4

File Your Articles of Organization with the Nevada Secretary of State

Once you've gathered all the information for your Nevada LLC, you’ll need to file a form to create your Articles of Organization with the Nevada Secretary of State. This document officially creates your LLC.

Your Nevada Articles of Organization can be filed online with Nevada SilverFlume. You can also mail the form to the Nevada Secretary of State or have Incfile do it on your behalf. The Nevada LLC filing fee is $75.

Your initial annual report (which the state refers to as the "initial list" of members or managers) and Nevada business license are also filed with your Articles of Organization for additional fees of $150 and $200, respectively.

You only need to file your Articles of Organization once, but every year after, you must file an annual report for your LLC. This is also something Incfile can remind you to do or do for you if you allow us to handle the paperwork.

What are the fees and requirements to form a business in Nevada?

5

Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service

You’ll need an EIN to identify your business to the IRS. You use this number when filing and paying taxes or when submitting payroll information and payments for your employees. An EIN is also required to open a business bank account. You can obtain one directly from the IRS, or Incfile can get one for you as part of the Nevada LLC formation process.

6

Create an Operating Agreement

A kind of "instruction manual" that explains how you'll run your business, an LLC Operating Agreement details how decisions will be made, how the business is divided among members and what will happen if a member leaves the company.

Many states require that a company have an Operating Agreement in place. It isn’t legally required in Nevada, but it’s a good idea to have one nonetheless.

Other Nevada LLC Types

Series LLC

If you want to manage multiple LLCs under one umbrella LLC, you’ll need to create a Series LLC. To do so, you'll simply check the applicable box on the Nevada Articles of Organization form.

Decide whether a Nevada Series LLC is right for your business.

Professional LLC

The Nevada Limited Liability Company Act is Chapter 86 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS). This law governs how LLCs are established and managed. Another portion of the NRS — Chapter 89 — applies to Professional LLCs.

Per this NRS chapter, a Nevada Professional LLC is mostly the same as a standard LLC, except that its purpose is to render professional services. Examples of these services include, but are not limited to, architecture, medicine and the practice of law.

Foreign LLC

If your business is already operating in another state and expanding to Nevada—or vice versa—you’ll need to form a Foreign LLC.
Learn more about Nevada Foreign LLC registration.

Helpful Resources from the State of Nevada