Last Updated: February 17, 2024, 3:54 pm by TRUiC Team


How to Start an LLC in Nevada (2024 Guide)

Wondering how to start an LLC in Nevada? We’ve got you covered.

To get started, you'll need to pick a suitable business name, choose a registered agent, and file the Articles of Organization form with the Nevada Secretary of State ($425 total filing cost). 

You can do this independently, consult with a business attorney for specialized legal guidance, or join the other 65% of our readers and hire a specialized Nevada LLC formation service (recommended).

four point eight out of five Northwest ($29 + State Fees)

three point nine out of five LegalZoom ($249 + State Fees)

Cost to Start an LLC in Nevada

How to Form an LLC in Nevada in 6 Steps

In order to form your LLC in Nevada, there are certain steps you’ll need to complete:

  1. Name Your LLC
  2. Choose a Nevada Registered Agent
  3. File Your Articles of Organization
  4. Create an LLC Operating Agreement
  5. Obtain an EIN
  6. File a Beneficial Ownership Information Report

Step 1: Name Your Nevada LLC

Before you get started, you will need to pick a suitable name for your Nevada LLC. 

This will need to comply with all applicable naming requirements under Nevada law and be both succinct and memorable, as this will make it easily searchable by your potential clients.

1. Important Naming Guidelines for Nevada LLCs:

  • Your name must include the phrase “limited liability company” or one of its abbreviations (LLC or L.L.C.).
  • Your name cannot include words that could confuse your LLC with a government agency (FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.).
  • Your name must be distinguishable from any other Nevada limited liability company (LLC), corporation, limited liability partnership (LLP), limited partnership (LP), or limited liability limited partnership (LLLP).

There are also a number of restricted words in Nevada that your LLC will not be able to use in its name without prior written approval from a specific state department:

  • Division of Mortgage Lending: No entity names are allowed to contain words such as "Financial," "Mortgage," "Mortgage Banking" without prior approval from the Commissioner of Mortgage Lending.
  • State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors: Your LLC’s entity name cannot contain words such as "Engineer," "Engineering" without obtaining approval from the State Board of Engineers beforehand.
  • Real Estate Division: You’ll need word prior approval from the Real Estate Division in order to use the term "Realtor" in your LLC’s name.
  • State Board of Accountancy: A number of terms related to this industry, such as "Accountant," "Accounting," "CPA" require approval from the Nevada State Board of Accountancy.

We recommend checking out the Nevada Secretary of State's guidelines for a complete list of all the naming rules in this state.

2. Is the name available in Nevada?

To check whether your desired name has already been taken by another business entity in Nevada, you can perform a Business Entity Search on the Secretary of State's website.

If you’re not going to start your LLC right away, it might be a good idea to consider reserving your name for up to 90 days. 

For more information, you can have a look at our Nevada LLC Name Search guide.

3. Is the URL available? We recommend that you check online to see if your business name is available as a web domain. Even if you don't plan to create a business website right away, this is an extremely important step as it will prevent others from acquiring it, potentially saving you both time and money in the long term.

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Once you have verified your name is available, you may now select a professional service to complete the LLC formation process for you.

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FAQ: Naming a Nevada LLC

LLC is short for “limited liability company.” It is a simple business structure that offers more flexibility than a traditional corporation while providing many of the same personal liability protection benefits from your business debts. Read our What is a Limited Liability Company guide for more information.

Or, watch our two-minute video: What is an LLC?

You must follow the Nevada LLC naming guidelines when choosing a name for your LLC:

  • Include the phrase "limited liability company" or one of its abbreviations (LLC or L.L.C.).
  • Do not use words that could confuse your business with a government agency (FBI, State Department, CIA, etc.).
  • Receive the proper licensing when using the words such as lawyer or doctor.

If you are having trouble coming up with a name for your LLC, use our LLC Name Generator. That will not only find a unique name for your business but an available URL to match.

Most LLCs do not need a DBA, known as a fictitious firm name in Nevada. The name of the LLC can serve as your company’s brand name and you can accept checks and other payments under that name as well. However, you may wish to register a DBA if you would like to conduct business under another name.

To learn more about DBAs in your state, read our How to File a DBA guide.

Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent in Nevada

After you find the right name for your LLC, you will need to nominate a Nevada registered agent. This is a necessary step when completing your Articles of Organization (i.e., the document used to file and register your LLC with the Secretary of State).

What is a registered agent? A registered agent is an individual or business entity responsible for receiving important tax forms, legal documents, notice of lawsuits, and official government correspondence on behalf of your business. You can think of your registered agent as your business's primary point of contact with the state.

Who can be a registered agent? A registered agent must be a resident of Nevada or a corporation, such as a registered agent service, authorized to transact business in Nevada. You can also choose to elect an individual within the company (e.g., yourself, etc.) or use a business attorney instead.

Keep in mind that Nevada requires all registered agents to provide written consent in order to approve their appointment. This is included as a step in the Articles of Organization.

Get Free Registered Agent Services

Form an LLC with Northwest Registered Agent to get one year of registered agent services free of charge.

FAQ: Nominating a Registered Agent

Yes. You can choose to act as your own registered agent, appoint a member of your LLC, work with a business attorney, or hire a professional registered agent service (recommended). 

Read more about being your own registered agent.

Using a professional registered agent service is an affordable way to manage government filings for your Nevada LLC. For most businesses, the advantages of using a professional service significantly outweigh the annual costs.

Step 3: File the Nevada LLC Articles of Organization

To register your Nevada LLC, you will need to file the following forms with the Nevada Secretary of State:

  • Articles of Organization
  • Initial List of Managers and State Business License Application
  • Certificate of Acceptance of Appointment by Registered Agent

Nevada compiles these files into one formation PDF packet, which you can file online, by mail, by fax, by email, or in person.

Nevada LLC Formation Document

Before filing, make sure you have completed all the forms contained in the Articles of Organization PDF packet correctly. You will need to have filled in the following sections:

  • The name of the LLC being registered in Nevada
  • The profession your LLC will practice
  • Whether you’re forming a series LLC or a restricted LLC (or neither)
  • The names, addresses, and titles of all members, officers, or managers
  • The name and address of your registered agent; and
  • The registered agent’s authorized signature accepting appointment

File the Articles of Organization

OPTION 1: File Online With Nevada SilverFlume

File Online

- OR -

OPTION 2: File by Mail, by Fax, by Email, or In Person

Download Form

State Filing Cost: $425 ($75 Articles of Organization + $150 Initial List of Manager or Members + $200 Business License Application)

Filing Address:
Secretary of State
Commercial Recordings Division
202 N. Carson St.
Carson City, NV 89701-4201

Fax: (775) 684-5725

Email: newfilings@sos.nv.gov

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

Note: If you're expanding your existing LLC to the state of Nevada, you will need to form a foreign limited liability company (LLC).

FAQ: Filing Nevada LLC Documents

According to the Secretary of State, processing your filing documents will take around one business day if you file online, or up to two months if you submit a paper application.

An LLC is referred to as a "domestic LLC" when it conducts business in the state where it was formed. A foreign LLC must be formed when an existing LLC wishes to expand its business to another state.

Read our What Is a Foreign LLC article to learn more.

The cost to start a Nevada LLC is $425 in total. This includes the $75 Articles of Organization, $150 initial list, and $200 business license application.

To learn more, read our guide on the cost to form a Nevada LLC.

Step 4: Create a Nevada LLC Operating Agreement

A Nevada LLC is not required to have an operating agreement, but it's a good practice to have one.

What is an operating agreement? An operating agreement is a legal document outlining the ownership and operating procedures of an LLC.

Why are operating agreements important? A comprehensive operating agreement ensures that all business owners are on the same page and reduces the risk of future conflict.

For more information on operating agreements, read our Nevada LLC operating agreement guide.

FAQ: Creating a Nevada LLC Operating Agreement

No. The operating agreement is an internal document that you should keep on file for future reference. However, many other states do legally require LLCs to have an operating agreement in place.

Step 5: Get an EIN for Your Nevada LLC

You can get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS for free. It is used to identify a business entity and keep track of a business’s tax reporting. It is essentially a Social Security number (SSN) for the company.

Why do I need an EIN? An EIN number is required for the following:

  • To open a business bank account for the company
  • For federal and state tax purposes
  • To hire employees for the company

Where do I get an EIN? An EIN is obtained from the IRS (free of charge) by the business owner after forming the company. This can be done online or by mail.

FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS: You do not need an SSN to get an EIN. Learn more here.

Get an EIN

Option 1: Request an EIN from the IRS

Apply Online

- OR -

Option 2: Apply for an EIN by Mail or Fax

Download Form

Mail to:
Internal Revenue Service
Attn: EIN Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999

Fax: (855) 641-6935

Fee: Free

FAQ: Getting an EIN

An SSN is not required to get an EIN. You can simply fill out IRS Form SS-4 and leave section 7b blank. Then call the IRS at (267) 941-1099 to complete your application. Learn more about applying as an international applicant.

All LLCs with employees, or any LLC with more than one member, must have an EIN. This is required by the IRS.

Learn why we recommend always getting an EIN and how to get one for free in our Do I Need an EIN for an LLC guide.

When you get an EIN, you will be informed of the different tax classification options that are available. Most LLCs elect the default tax status.

However, some LLCs can reduce their federal tax obligation by choosing the S corporation (S corp) status. To learn more, read our LLC vs. S Corp guide.

Step 6: File a Beneficial Ownership Information Report

Beginning January 2024, LLC owners will need to file a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report with the US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). Existing LLCs can file their report any time between January 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025, while new LLCs will need to file their report within 90 days of formation

This contains similar information to that of your Articles of Organization, such as your LLC name and member information, and can be filed online for free. Failure to file an accurate report on time can result in a $500 per day fine.

Note: There are certain filing exemptions, such as for large companies (i.e., more than 20 full-time employees), tax-exempt entities, and publicly traded companies. 

Considering Using an LLC Formation Service?

We reviewed and ranked the top LLC formation services. Find out which is best for you.

BEST LLC SERVICES

Maintain Your Nevada LLC

After you’ve successfully formed your LLC, there are a couple of steps you’ll need to periodically take in order to maintain it, including:

  • Filing the annual list
  • Sorting out your taxes

We’ve broken down how to complete each of these steps in greater detail below.

File the Annual List

Nevada requires LLCs to file an annual report (also known as an Annual List) with the Nevada Secretary of State. This annual list serves to both renew your Nevada business license and keep the state updated on important information regarding your LLC, such as:

  • Any changes to its entity name;
  • Its current managers, members, or general partners; and
  • Its business entity type (e.g., corporation, default-structure LLC, or nonprofit corporation etc.);

Note: You’ll need to submit your annual list either online or by mail by the month of your LLC's initial annual report. The filing fees are $150 for the annual list and $200 for the Nevada state business license application.

Sort Out Your Taxes

LLCs in Nevada will need to pay a number of taxes at a local, state, and federal level. With that said, the taxes your LLC must pay will vary depending on the nature of your business (e.g., its industry, niche, number of employees, etc.). 

Below, we’ve broken down the most common taxes in Nevada that your LLC may be expected to pay:

Sales and Use Taxes

Sales tax is imposed on retailers for the right to sell tangible personal property, while use tax is imposed on the consumption and use of these items purchased by retailers. In Nevada, sales and use tax is levied at a flat, statewide rate of 6.85%, but since counties can also charge a local surtax on top of this, the total rate can reach up to a maximum of 8.26% depending on the locality.

Alongside this general framework, there are certain rates applied to the sale of specific products in Nevada, including:

  • Marijuana Products: A 10% tax is applied to the retail sale of marijuana products and a 15% tax on the wholesale sale.
  • Tobacco Products: A flat fee of $1.80 is placed on the sale of each individual pack of 20 cigarettes, while a 30% tax is levied on the wholesale price of other tobacco products.

The Nevada Department of Taxation provides a list of the various tax rates in effect in different localities on its Sales and Use Tax Publications page.

Note: If your LLC plans to sell any of these taxable goods or services, you’ll need to obtain a sales and use tax permit from the Nevada Department of Taxation by registering online with SilverFlume.

Property Tax

If your LLC owns any real estate in Nevada, you can expect to pay property taxes. The property tax bill you’ll be liable to pay can vary significantly from one locality to another, depending on the taxable value of your property and the applicable tax rate.

These factors are determined by a number of local offices in your county, including the:

  • Assessor’s office
  • Auditor-controller’s office
  • Treasurer-tax collector’s office
  • Clerk of the board’s office

To get a better idea of how much your LLC will need to pay in property tax in Nevada, it’s a good idea to get in contact with these local officials or, ideally, employ the help of an accountant specializing in this area.

Note: You can find the relevant contact details, you can refer to the county and city clerk available through the State of Nevada Department of Taxation website.

Keep in mind that, in addition to the applicable taxes from the list above, your LLC will be required to pay certain federal taxes regardless of where it’s registered. This often includes corporation and employer taxes – for LLCs taxed as C corporations – and income and self-employment taxes (for LLCs taxed as pass-through entities).

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Steps After LLC Formation

After forming your LLC, you will need to get a business bank account and website, sort all required business licensing, and get business insurance, among other things. 

Visit our After Forming an LLC guide to learn more.

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