How To Start a Nevada LLC

If you do want to go through this process on your own, keep reading but before doing so let’s also make sure we look at some business ideas in Nevada based on what Nevada is known for.

The top three business ideas I’d create a Nevada LLC out of would be:

1. Marriage License and/or Divorce Lawyer
2. Alien Tours – Area 51 and UFOs
3. Geodesic Dome House Rentals – See example (Airbnb Link) or Shiftpod

Each of these hits on what Nevada is known for and you’ll have a great time building any of these businesses.

Alright – let’s get into the details of how to setup a Nevada business and make sure your Nevada Limited Liability Company has the right business name.

Name Your Nevada LLC

There are Nevada LLC naming guidelines that you’ll need to follow for your business entity.

The rules you’ll need to follow are:

• Your LLC name must contain the phrase “Limited Liability Company” or one of the abbreviations “LLC” or “L.L.C.”
• Your LLC name must be easily distinguishable from any other business entity registered with the Nevada SOS.
• The use of certain restricted words may require additional paperwork and a licensed individual, such as “Bank”, “Attorney”, “University” or “Doctor”.

Here are a few example business names for a Nevada LLC:

• Tasty Tours, LLC
• Geodesic Domes of Nevada, LLC
• Alien Adventures, LLC

Once you have a name for your LLC that follows the Nevada rules – you’ll need to search the Nevada business name database to make sure your name is available.

The good news is that the search feature on the NV SOS website is very user friendly and easy to use. Simply go to this link, enter in your proposed LLC name and hit “Search”.

Here’s the portal: https://www.nvsos.gov/sos/businesses

If the name is available, congratulations – if not, you’ll need to come up with another LLC name or use a Nevada LLC naming service.

Once you’ve done this, you’ll need to make sure you’ve got the digital name too aka yourname.com from GoDaddy.

It’s important as you build your Nevada LLCs reality that you also make sure you’re getting the digital name that goes with it. You will need to make sure the business structure is setup the right way and you’ve got a physical address for your business but I always argue that your digital address is the most important piece.

After you’ve gone through and done this, it’s time to figure out how you don’t have to be your own registered agent. You can – but I recommend that you look at doing this through a registered agent service like Northwest.

Choose your registered agent in Nevada

The first thing you need to know is that your LLC is required to have a registered agent in the state of Nevada. A registered agent is responsible for receiving service of process (SOP) on behalf of your LLC.

In plain English – that means whenever the state or anyone else sends official correspondence, it will go to the registered agent. The registered agent will then forward that on to you.

The requirements for a Nevada registered agent are:

• The registered agent must have a physical street address in Nevada
• The registered agent must be available during normal business hours to accept service of process
• The registered agent cannot be the LLC itself
• The registered agent cannot be an individual who is a member of the LLC

There are a lot of benefits to using a registered agent service in Nevada. The two biggest advantages, in my opinion, are the convenience and peace of mind.

As I mentioned before, the registered agent is responsible for receiving and forwarding correspondence from the state. If you’re using a registered agent service, they will handle all of that for you.

The other big advantage is peace of mind. If you’re using a registered agent service, you know that your LLC is in good hands and there’s one less thing for you to worry about.

The other option is to find a law firm in Nevada that can help you with professional services and be your registered agent. Again, I recommend not being your own registered agent because of the complexities here with your Nevada LLC formation.

Prepare and File Articles of Organization with the Nevada SOS

After you’ve got your LLC name, found a registered agent, and reserved your digital name – it’s time to get down to business and file your Articles of Organization with the state.

The Articles of Organization is the document that officially forms your LLC in the state of Nevada. This is where you’ll list the LLC name, registered agent, and purpose for forming the LLC.

The good news is that the state of Nevada has made it very easy to file your Articles of Organization online. You can do that here: https://www.nvsos.gov/sos/businesses/llc

The filing fee is $75 and it will take the state about 10 business days to process your Articles of Organization.

Once you’ve filed your Articles of Organization, congrats! You’ve officially formed your Nevada LLC.

Create an operating agreement

Once you’ve officially formed a professional Limited Liability Company and have your Nevada LLC articles of Incorporation – you’re setup for the next step.

Getting an LLC operating agreement in place is one of the most important pieces of this entire process. Whether you’re a sole proprietorship, business owner, single member LLC, foreign LLC or just looking at a Carson City hot dog stand as LLC owners – you’re going to need an operating agreement.

This document doesn’t need to be filed with the Nevada Secretary of State’s office but an LLC operating agreement is something you’ll have as one of your Nevada LLC documents.

As small business owners who may have personal asset protection that’s needed or you have multiple LLC members (more than one member) that are going to be part of your business – you’re going to need to keep track of where you conduct business.

It’s better for you to have personal liability protection here if you’re going to put personal assets into the business. You’ll also have an easier time separating your personal from business assets through operating agreements.

Get an IRS Employer Identification Number

After you’ve formed your Nevada LLC – you’re going to need to get an IRS EIN number. You can apply for an EIN online through the IRS website or by mail/fax.

The process is pretty simple and you should be able to get your EIN within a few days. The EIN is also known as a tax identification number and is used to identify your business for tax purposes.

You’ll need the EIN when you file your taxes, open a business bank account, or apply for business licenses and permits.

You can go straight to the IRS website where they have a portal open for you to file and get an Employer Identification Number at:

https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online

Once you have this number, it’s going to be incredibly important for you to track your state income taxes, business taxes and separate your personal tax return from your business tax structure. It’s not business law to change this but it is important for you to make sure your domestic LLC has the right EIN and your managing members understand the importance of this.

Open A Business Bank Account

I recommend you get an account setup with Lili.co. It’s the easiest to setup and you’re going to have a wonderful time getting all the benefits of your business formation.

If you’re going to collect sales tax and have to handle corporate income tax, commerce tax or need to visit the Nevada Tax Center Website – you’re going to need to have a business bank account to track it all for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Get your business bank account so you feel comfortable with following Nevada Law on all this.

Get Small Business Insurance

If you’re going to work with the public or other businesses – you need to get some type of business insurance. You can talk with your Nevada agent about this and get a policy that makes sense for your LLC.

I recommend you go to CommercialInsurance.net because they will give you great quotes for all the different type(s) of individual or business entity insurance you’ll need.

This is something you don’t have to do but I highly recommend it as a way to protect your personal assets and help you follow whatever you need to around your state business license.

Get a State Business License or Permit

Now that you’ve got your LLC formed in Nevada, it’s time to get all of your ducks in a row and set up your business for success.

Depending on the city and/or county you’re in you’ll need to make sure you’ve got the right state business license. It’s going to be different if you’re opening a prostitution service vs. a hot dog stand.

Yes – a state business license may be needed for your prostitution service (since it’s legal) and the opposite of Utah where you can’t even gamble! Could you imagine going to Nevada with no gambling or prostitution – you’d be in Utah!

File an Annual Report

Every LLC that’s formed in the state of Nevada is going to have to file an annual report with the Secretary of State. The report is due on the last day of the month your LLC was created in and every year after that.

The first report is going to be due within 120 days and it’s a $75 filing fee. You can file online, by mail or in person but the state will not remind you that it’s due.

You’ll need to keep track of your business formation anniversary date and make sure you get the report filed every year. If you don’t then your LLC could be automatically dissolved!

Pay Annual Taxes

Your LLC will have to pay the $200 annual tax which is non-refundable and is payable to the Nevada Secretary of State. The tax is due on the last day of the month your business was created in and every year after that.

You can file online, by mail or in person but the state will not remind you that it’s due. You’ll need to keep track of your business formation anniversary date and make sure you get the report filed every year.

If you don’t then your LLC could be automatically dissolved!

Conclusion

There is a lot to do for creating a Limited Liability Company in Nevada but if you’re going down the path of an LLC formation and want to take advantage of the Nevada LLC benefits, follow our guide.

Remember the easiest thing to do is go to Northwest Registered Agent but now you have all the information you’re going to need to setup your business the right way.

FAQs

How much does it cost to form an LLC in Nevada?

It’s going to cost $75 to file your Articles of Organization with the state and you’re also going to have to pay a $200 Franchise Tax Fee when you file your first annual list.