How much does an LLC cost in Nevada? (details)
Forming a Nevada LLC entails more than just paying the first filing fee; it doesn't have to be extremely expensive.
We outline all up-front and continuing costs for a Nevada LLC and advise how to successfully cut these out of the budget.
How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC in Nevada?
There is a $425 filing fee for the Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State when forming an LLC in Nevada.
This is important in creating your LLC's legal standing, allowing it to function under Nevada regulations if approved.
Apart from the LLC filing fee mentioned above, additional expenses are associated with establishing a Nevada LLC (Limited Liability Company).
Costs of Forming a Nevada LLC
Forming an LLC includes a one-time state cost is $425.
There are also ongoing fees (like a $350 Annual Report fee and potential business license fees), which we discuss below.
The $425 cost to form an LLC in Nevada is broken down as follows:
- $75 for the Articles of Organization form
- $200 for the State Business License
- $150 for the Initial List of Managers or Managing Members
LLC Costs in Nevada
| Requirement | Cost |
|---|---|
| LLC Name | $0 |
| Registered Agent | $0 or $125 per year |
| Articles of Organization | $75 |
| State Business License | $200 |
| City or County License | varies |
| Initial List of Managers/Members | $150 |
| Operating Agreement | $0 (free on our site) |
| EIN Number | $0 (free to the IRS) |
| State Business License Renewal | $200 (per year) |
| Annual Report | $150 (per year) |
| Taxes | varies (filed and/or paid every year) |
The filing fee for a Nevada LLC Articles of Organization is $425
In Nevada, forming an LLC requires paying the Secretary of State a $425 filing fee for the Articles of Organization. This paper creates your LLC legally if it is accepted.
After formation, you only need to pay the $425 one-time charge; after that, you won't need to pay any more monthly or yearly fees to keep your Nevada LLC active.
✎ Note:
LLCs represent the predominant business structure in Nevada, chosen for their robust liability protection afforded to owners, making them highly favored among business entities.
The form used to establish an LLC can vary by state; it may be called the Articles of Organization.
In Nevada, it is specifically known as the Articles of Organization. Despite these variations in naming, they all serve the same purpose to create your LLC legally.
Reserving a business name in Nevada entails a fee of $0
The creation of your Nevada LLC Name Reservation is completed simultaneously if you want to file online. An additional $0 filing fee is required for an online name reservation when filing online.
If you want to file by mail, remember to include the Name Reservation with your application.
But before forming your LLC, you have to wait for the Name Reservation to be approved. Even though filing by mail can save you a few bucks, it can take longer to form your LLC.
How much does a DBA cost? (varies)
In Nevada, a DBA is filed with the town clerk rather than the Secretary of State. Therefore, the cost of a DBA will vary depending on the town where your LLC is doing business.
✎ Note:
A DBA, also known as a Trade Name, Fictitious Name, Assumed Name, or Fictitious Business Name, refers to the same concept.
★ Tip:
Obtaining a DBA for your LLC is optional and not a requirement.
Nevada Registered Agent Fee ($0 to $125/ annually)
Under Nevada law, every LLC formation requires the appointment of a Registered Agent.
Your Nevada Registered Agent acts as the liaison for legal documents and state notifications on behalf of your LLC, necessitating a physical address within the state and availability during regular business hours.
You can appoint yourself, a trusted associate, or a family member as your Registered Agent without incurring additional expenses.
Alternatively, hiring a Registered Agent service costs between $100 and $300 per year. These services offer additional business support and safeguard your privacy.
Hiring a Registered Agent service is a good idea if:
- You lack a physical address in the state (Nevada law mandates Registered Agents to have an address within the state).
- You prefer to keep your address private (some companies allow you to use their address for confidentiality).
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Nevada LLC Articles of Organization ($75)
The primary document that forms your Nevada LLC is the Articles of Organization. The filing fee for the Nevada Articles of Organization is $75.
Along with the Articles of Organization, you must also file the Nevada State Business License application ($200) and the Initial List of Managers or Managing Members ($150) to complete the LLC formation process.
All of these filings are required to ensure your business complies with state law.
These documents can be filed together by mail or online, but we recommend online filing as it’s much easier and the Nevada LLC approval time is much quicker.
Nevada LLC State Business License ($200)
The Nevada Business License grants your LLC the privilege to operate in the state and costs $200.
As previously mentioned, it must be filed simultaneously with your LLC’s Articles of Organization ($75) and Initial List of Managers ($150).
The State Business License must also be renewed annually for $200. It must be filed together with your Annual List of Managers or Managing Members. Both filings are necessary to maintain your Nevada LLC in good standing.
Nevada LLC Initial/Annual List of Managers or Managing Members ($150)
The Initial List of Managers or Managing Members has a $150 filing fee.
It must be filed simultaneously with your LLC’s Articles of Organization. The first time you file it, it is referred to as the Initial List of Managers or Managing Members.
The List must be filed annually for $150 per year. This serves as the annual report for your LLC, as Nevada does not have a traditional LLC annual report like other states.
The name of the filing changes slightly each year after you open your LLC. For the duration of your LLC's existence, it is called the Annual List of Managers or Managing Members. This filing is required to keep your LLC in good standing.
LLC Operating Agreement Fee ($0)
A Nevada LLC Operating Agreement functions as a written contract among the LLC's members. It outlines specific details regarding ownership, how the LLC is managed, and the distribution of profits.
Both Single-Member and Multi-Member LLCs should create an Operating Agreement, maintain it within their business records, and provide each member with a copy.
Online services generally charge between $50 to $200 for crafting an LLC Operating Agreement.
LLC EIN Number Fee ($0)
An EIN, also referred to as an Employer Identification Number or FEIN (Federal Employer Identification Number), is essential for handling tax filings, setting up an LLC bank account, and potentially facilitating employee hiring.
While some platforms may charge a fee, you can obtain an EIN for your LLC free of charge directly from the IRS. The process to apply online is simple and typically takes only a few minutes to complete.
LLC Taxes
Nevada LLC owners face a range of tax obligations, leading to varying annual costs.
Some of the taxes LLC owners pay include:
- Federal taxes
- State income tax
- Local income tax
- Business taxes
- Self-employment taxes
- Sales and use tax
- Payroll tax (if you have employees)
- Property tax (if the LLC owns property)
The Taxes of Your Nevada LLC taxes are affected by your industry and business activities, making it difficult to predict. Every business is different, and the taxes your LLC owes depend on your specific situation.
✎ Note:
Typically, a Single-Member LLC is taxed similarly to a Sole Proprietorship, while a Multi-Member LLC is taxed similarly to a Partnership.
Hiring an Accountant
Accounting fees can vary, but in general, expect to pay about $300 a year for basic tax returns and up to $900 for more comprehensive filings.
The best person to help you determine your small business tax liability in Nevada is a certified accountant.
While accounting costs can vary, you should generally budget $300 for simple tax returns and up to $900 for more complicated filings annually.
Need to save time?
Consider hiring a professional to set up your LLC: Northwest Registered Agent offers LLC formation services starting at $39 plus the state fee.
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✎ Note:
Accounting fees can vary, but in general, expect to pay about $300 a year for basic tax returns and up to $900 for more comprehensive filings. We recommend speaking with a few Nevada accountants to make sure they can help you with all of your local, state, and federal tax needs. For more advice, see our comprehensive guide on how to find an accountant.
Nevada Secretary of State
If you're curious about the expenses involved in starting a Nevada LLC, feel free to contact the Nevada Secretary of State for detailed information.
Nevada LLC Costs FAQs
How much does it cost to open a Nevada LLC?
It costs $425 to start a Nevada LLC. This is a one-time expense that includes the filing fees for the LLC Articles of Organization ($75), State Business License ($200), and Initial List of Managers or Managing Members ($150).
All Nevada LLCs need a state business license, but some LLCs may also need an occupation-specific business license or a local business permit. This depends on your industry and where your LLC is located. The cost of local business permits varies. Depending on what your LLC does, you may need to obtain business insurance.
How much does an LLC in Nevada cost per year?
All Nevada LLCs need to pay $150 to file the List of Members/Managers each year, and $200 to renew their State Business License every year. You have to pay these annual fees to keep your LLC in good standing. There is no “annual report” like in other states, just the List of Managers.
If you hire a Registered Agent company, you’ll have an annual subscription fee to pay each year. This is usually about $125 per year.
Some LLCs may need a business license in Nevada. This depends on your industry and where your LLC is located. You’ll need to check with your municipality to see if there are any annual renewal fees for the business permit.
Should I hire an LLC formation service?
You aren’t required to hire a professional service company to form your Nevada LLC. You’re allowed to complete the LLC formation process yourself if you’d like – you can form your own LLC.
Do I need to hire an attorney to form an LLC?
No, you aren’t required to hire an attorney to form your LLC in Nevada. You’re allowed to form your LLC yourself if you’d like.
However, some people may want to hire an attorney if their LLC has a complex ownership or management structure, has investors, or requires industry-specific documentation.
A business attorney usually charges between $800 and $2,500 to form an LLC.
How do I start a Nevada LLC?
Here are the steps to starting an LLC in Nevada:
- Choose an LLC business name and make sure it’s available
- Choose who will be your Nevada Registered Agent
- File the Nevada Articles of Organization, State Business License, and Initial List of Managers/Managing Members
- Complete and sign an LLC Operating Agreement
- Get a Tax ID Number (EIN) from the IRS
- Open an LLC bank account
- Check whether you need a business or sales tax license in Nevada
What’s the cheapest way to start an LLC?
You can get an LLC cheaply by filing your formation documents yourself since you only pay the required Nevada LLC fees and don’t pay any service fees to a company. You’ll also save money by being your Registered Agent and using our free LLC Operating Agreement template.
By forming your LLC yourself, being your Registered Agent, and using our Operating Agreement template you can save over $400.
How long does it take to get a Nevada LLC?
How long it takes to get an LLC in Nevada depends on how you file your Certificate of Organization.
You can get an LLC in Nevada approved in 1 business day if you file online. On the other hand, filing by mail takes about 3-4 weeks (plus mail time) – but you can pay for expedited processing if you want your LLC faster.
How much does a Nevada business bank account cost?
It varies. Some banks charge monthly fees ($10 to $20 per month), but these can sometimes be avoided by meeting certain requirements. For example, if you make a certain number of direct deposits or maintain a specified minimum balance, then they’ll waive the monthly fees.
And you might be able to find a bank that doesn’t charge any monthly fees.
Before you open your LLC business bank account, we recommend calling and asking if there are ways to avoid the monthly maintenance fees.
How much is a Foreign LLC in Nevada?
A Foreign LLC is an LLC formed in another state that must register (aka Foreign Qualify) in Nevada. This is because the LLC is doing business in both states.
The Nevada Foreign LLC cost is $425, broken down as follows:
- $75 for the Registration of Foreign LLC
- $200 for the State Business License
- $150 for the Initial List of Managers or Managing Members
If you form an LLC in Nevada, it is called a “Domestic LLC”. If you formed your LLC in another state, it would be a Foreign LLC once you register it in Nevada.
Is Nevada a good state for an LLC?
Yes, Nevada is a great state to start a business. Nevada has quick approval times and helpful representatives at the Secretary of State if you have questions.
But you might be looking at the costs of a Nevada LLC and thinking that it’s pretty expensive.
The truth is, the most important factors in deciding where to start a business are where you live and where you’re doing business.
Meaning, if you live in or do business in Nevada, then you should start your business in Nevada. Even if it’s a little more expensive than another state. While many websites talk about tax rates and the advantages of certain states, none of that applies if it’s not the state where you live and do business. And just because a certain state has cheaper LLC fees doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to form your LLC there.
For example, if you form an LLC in Wyoming, but live in and conduct business in Nevada, you’ll also need to register your Wyoming LLC in Nevada (and pay fees). And you’ll end up paying Nevada taxes anyway. This ends up leading to more costs and more headaches with no advantages.
In summary, if you are a Nevada resident, then yes, Nevada is the best state to form an LLC. If you don’t live in and do business in Nevada, then no, Nevada probably isn’t a good state to start an LLC.