Starting an LLC in Nevada can be a great way to protect your personal assets and business interests. There are several important steps you need to take to make sure the process goes smoothly, and this guide will walk you through them all.
An LLC is a limited liability company, which is a type of business entity that provides its owners with limited personal liability. This means that if the LLC is sued, the owner’s personal assets are protected. This is a major benefit of forming an LLC, as it can help protect your personal assets in the event of a business dispute.
Another advantage of LLCs is that they are relatively easy to set up. There are no special requirements or licenses needed to start an LLC in Nevada, and the process can be completed in just a few steps.
It’s important to note that this guide is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. If you have specific questions about starting an LLC in Nevada, please consult with an attorney.
Before we dive in, here’s a really good explanation video on starting a Nevada LLC for those of you who prefer video over text.
Benefits of starting an LLC in Nevada
There are many benefits to starting your LLC in Nevada. As expert start-up guides will advise you, it has the advantage of limited liability protection for its members. It’s more compact than a Corporation or S Corporation.
Limited Liability Protection
One of the most significant benefits of starting your Nevada business as an LLC is that it offers limited liability protection, which means that if a lawsuit arises from a customer or client for something you did while operating your business – it won’t follow you home. Rather than the people who own it, the business itself is liable for paying out any damages.
Your personal assets, such as your car or house, are separated from your Nevada business assets and aren’t at risk of being taken away if someone sues your business for something you did wrong. Many entrepreneurs start their businesses as LLCs because of this benefit.
Taxation flexibility
An LLC in Nevada has the choice of being taxed as a Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, or Corporation. It’s a good deal for start-ups since they don’t have to worry about finding an accountant or anything like that just yet.
Note: Single-Member LLCs are treated as Sole Proprietorships by default.
Minutes of meetings not required
Lastly, one of the benefits of starting your LLC in Nevada is that no minutes are required for meetings. People don’t have to travel for monthly meetings or anything like that. They need to follow the operating agreement, which doesn’t take too many hours out of the day.
Nevada LLC Rules & Requirements
This is a quick summary of the most important rules and requirements that this article will go through in-depth.
To apply for permission to form an LLC in Nevada, the company must have a in Nevada. Your LLC’s name must include “Limited Liability Company,” or their abbreviation, “LLC.” It can’t be something that resembles another already existing business. Ensure you as a business owner keep accurate records and reports of your business transactions.
Best Nevada LLC Formation Services
If you’re thinking about starting your LLC in Nevada, it’s a good idea to use a professional service that can handle the process for you. These services will ensure you get all the necessary paperwork filed correctly and timely so that you don’t have to worry about anything going wrong with your business registration.
Finding the Best LLC Formation Services in Nevada
Choosing the best LLC formation services in Nevada is an essential first step for anyone looking to start their own. Here are some of the most critical factors you’ll want to consider:
- Price
- Effectiveness
- Customer service/communication
- Integration with accounting software (if necessary)
These factors will help you narrow down your list of potential providers to find the one that provides you with the professional service you need at an affordable price. We have reviewed some of Nevada’s best LLC formation services here: Best LLC Formation Services.
As mentioned above, it’s usually recommended that if you’re unfamiliar with this kind of thing, then you should consider allowing LLC formation service providers to help you start your own business here in Nevada. These services will ensure that you comply with state law and all the rules and requirements. If anything goes wrong, they’ll have your back so that you don’t have to worry about it.
However, if you’re looking to do it on your own, then you can continue reading our guide on how to start an LLC in the state of Nevada.
The following is a step-by-step guide of what you can expect when forming an LLC in Nevada:
5 Steps to Starting an LLC in Nevada
- Name your Nevada LLC
- Choose your Nevada Registered Agent
- File your Nevada LLC Articles of Organization
- Create your Nevada LLC Operating Agreement
- Get an EIN for your Nevada LLC
Step 1: Name your Nevada LLC
Choosing your name can be one of the most challenging parts of starting your Nevada LLC. You’ll have to choose a name that’s not already in use by another Nevada LLC or restricted by the state.
The rules for naming your Nevada limited liability company are as follows:
- Your name cannot mislead people into thinking the Nevada LLC was set up by the government or is a federal government agency.
- The name can’t be too similar to another Nevada company’s
- Your name has to end with an LLC designator (LLC, LTD., etc.)
- You may need to fill out additional paperwork if you want to use certain words in your Nevada LLC name, including bank, trust, trustee, incorporated, Inc., and corporation.
- If you want to see if a specific LLC name is available, you can run a business name search on the Business Entity Search page of the Nevada state website.
☞ Search Nevada Business Database
After choosing the perfect name for your new Nevada business, you can also secure a good domain name. A domain name is also helpful if you want a business email address @yourllc.com.We recommend using Namecheap to register your domain. They have great prices, fast service, and an easy-to-use website.
☞ Check if your domain name is available
Step 2: Choose your Nevada Registered Agent
Before you form your LLC in Nevada, you’ll need to appoint a registered agent with a physical street address in the state of Nevada. This person or entity would be responsible for receiving essential documents on your behalf if anything happened that would require that sort of thing (lawsuits, etc.). You can name yourself as your Nevada registered agent, but that isn’t advisable because you would not be able to claim any anonymity.
What is a Registered Agent?
A Nevada registered agent is an individual or business entity that agrees to accept the service of process on behalf of a Limited Liability Company.
When you create a Limited Liability Company in Nevada, the State of Nevada requires that this registered agent be appointed for your LLC to become effective. The Nevada Secretary of State’s Office will not file your Articles of Organization unless you designate a registered agent on your application form.
Who can be a Registered Agent in Nevada?
For a registered agent, you can select a person or an organization. The individual can be a Nevada resident, a Nevada corporation, or a non-Nevada corporation with a business presence in Nevada.
You can also use a Nevada registered agent service to appoint a registered agent and obtain a business address. Services such as Zenbusiness and Northwest Registered Agent offer this service as a feature of some of their packages when you register a Nevada company with them.
What does a Registered Agent in Nevada do?
A registered agent in Nevada is available during normal business hours to accept important documents and notices on behalf of your LLC. These can be official court papers such as lawsuits or service of process documents that will require the registered agent’s signature.
A registered agent is not responsible for the management of your Nevada LLC, nor are they required to do anything with the documents once they are received at their business address except for filing them under Nevada law.
Step 3: File your Nevada LLC Articles of Organization
You’ve chosen your Nevada name and appointed a registered agent, and now it’s time to create your LLC and become a recognized legal entity.
To form an LLC in Nevada, you must submit the following forms to 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 will put these forms into a formation PDF packet. You can file online, by mail, by fax, email, or in person.
Before filing, you will need to decide between a member-managed and manager-managed LLC. The members run a member-managed LLC, while a designated manager runs a manager-managed LLC.
To start an LLC in Nevada, you’ll need to file your Articles of Organization with the Nevada Secretary of State, which can be done online. The online filing fee is $425, and a person must file this with authority to do so on behalf of the Nevada LLC.
File your Nevada LLC Articles of Organization Online
You’ll need the following documents to submit your papers:
- The official name of your Nevada LLC
- A brief description of the purpose of your Nevada LLC
- Your Nevada LLC’s street address
- Your Nevada registered agent’s name and address
- The signature of your registered agent
- Your LLC’s authorized person’s signature
- Your return address
You can submit your Articles of Organization through Nevada’s online business filing system.
☞ File your Nevada LLC Articles of Organization Online
File your Nevada LLC Articles of Organization by Mail
If you choose not to file online, you can also mail your Articles of Organization to the Secretary of State. The person must sign the formation documents with authority to do so on behalf of your Nevada LLC. You’ll need the download the filing form and mail it.
☞ Download your Nevada LLC Articles of Organization Filing Form
Mail to:
Secretary of State
Commercial Recordings Division
202 N. Carson St.
Carson City, NV 89701-4201
Step 4: Create your Nevada LLC Operating Agreement
After filing your Nevada LLC Articles of Organization, you will want to create an Operating Agreement.
An operating agreement is an internal document that sets out the internal rules of your Nevada LLC. These rules address issues such as how LLC owners will spend the money, whether voting takes place within your business, what happens if someone wants to sell their interest in the company etc.
Nevada does not require an LLC to have an operating agreement, but it is recommended that you create one. An operating agreement ensures that all members know and understand their roles within the company. If they ever need to take legal action, they will show a court of law that the company functions as more than just an unincorporated association.
This operating agreement should be thorough but concise, outlining everything you want to include regarding the membership responsibilities of your Nevada LLC, so there are no misunderstandings down the line.
The operating agreement will also be necessary when you open a business bank account in Nevada.
Step 5: Get an EIN for your Nevada LLC
An EIN, or Employer Identification Number, is a unique number that the IRS issues to businesses for tax purposes. An EIN is like your business’s social security number. You can use it to file state or federal-level tax returns and financial statements with different government agencies or open a business bank account.
An EIN is required for several reasons. First, as mentioned above, it is needed to open a business bank account for your Nevada LLC. You will also need an EIN to hire employees, as it is used on employment tax forms. Finally, an EIN is often required when filing your business taxes.
After you receive your EIN, you will be informed of your Nevada LLC’s various tax classification options.
Applying for an EIN is a straightforward process. You can do it online at the IRS website. Alternatively, you may download and complete form SS-4 and then mail it to:
Internal Revenue Service
Attn: EIN Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999
Fax:
(855) 641-6935
Applying for an EIN for your business is free of charge.
Nevada LLC Processing Time
Online filings are immediately approved for the state of Nevada to process your Articles of Organization and approve your LLC.
If you choose to file by mail, the processing time is approximately 3-5 business days.
Nevada LLC Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Nevada?
The online filing fee is $425, and the mail filing fee is $425 in Nevada.
How do I set up an LLC in Nevada?
Step 1: Choose a name for your Nevada LLC
Step 2: Choose a Nevada Registered Agent
Step 3: File the Articles of Organization
Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement
Step 5: Get an EIN
Is there an annual fee for LLC in Nevada?
The annual filing fee is $350 in the state of Nevada.
How long does it take to start an LLC in Nevada?
It takes 3-5 business days to start an LLC in Nevada when filing by mail and are immediately approved when filing online. There is no expedited processing available in Indiana.