Starting a business in Nevada means registering with the Nevada Secretary of State, getting a State Business License, and setting up tax accounts with the Department of Taxation. For an LLC, the state charges $425 at formation as of October 2026: $75 for the Articles of Organization, $150 for the Initial List of managers or members, and $200 for the State Business License.
Nevada has no personal or corporate income tax, which is a big part of its appeal. The trade-off is a higher yearly bill than most states: every LLC renews its annual list and business license each year, and larger companies may owe the Commerce Tax.
Updated October 2026.
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Best Business Formation Services in Nevada (2026)
Here are our top picks for forming a business in Nevada, ranked. Mainstay Filing comes first for its flat yearly price; the two Nevada registered agent services below it are options if you only need an agent.
| Rank | Provider | Best for | Price | What’s included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | Forming an LLC with the agent, EIN and annual report included | $199/year + state fee at cost | LLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing |
| 2 | Nevada Registered Agent.co | Nevada registered agent service only | $99/year | $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
| 3 | Registered Agent NV.org | Nevada registered agent service only | $99/year | in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
1. Mainstay Filing
Mainstay Filing is our top pick in Nevada. It costs $199/year + state fee at cost and covers lLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing. The price stays the same every year, with no add-on menu.
2. Nevada Registered Agent.co
Nevada Registered Agent.co is a Nevada registered agent service at $99/year. It provides $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
3. Registered Agent NV.org
Registered Agent NV.org is a Nevada registered agent service at $99/year. It provides in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
What does it cost to start a business in Nevada?
| Nevada filing (October 2026) | LLC | Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| Formation document | Articles of Organization, $75 | Articles of Incorporation, from $75 (based on authorized shares) |
| Initial list of officers or managers | $150 | $150 |
| State Business License | $200 | $500 |
| Minimum due at formation | $425 | $725 |
| Annual list + license renewal | $150 + $200 each year | From $150 (tiered by authorized stock) + $500 each year |
| Name reservation (optional) | $25 for 90 days | $25 for 90 days |
Fees are set by the Secretary of State’s fee schedule and the State Business License rules. For a fuller budget, Mainstay Filing tracks Nevada LLC costs, including the recurring charges.
Nevada at a glance
| Item | Nevada detail |
|---|---|
| Filing office | Nevada Secretary of State, Commercial Recordings |
| Online portal | ORION (former SilverFlume and entity search addresses now redirect here) |
| Annual list due | Last day of the anniversary month of formation, each year |
| State income tax | None for individuals or corporations |
| Commerce Tax | Only on Nevada gross revenue above $4 million a year |
| State sales tax | 6.85% base; 7.10% to 8.375% combined by county |
| DBA | Fictitious firm name, filed with the county clerk |
Choose a structure that suits Nevada
Your structure determines liability, taxes and ongoing fees. In Nevada the fee difference is noticeable, because corporations pay $500 a year for the State Business License compared with $200 for an LLC.
- Sole proprietorship: No formation filing, but you still need a State Business License unless an exemption applies, and a fictitious firm name if you use a brand name. You are personally liable for business debts.
- General partnership: Two or more owners with shared personal liability. Like a sole proprietorship, it registers for the State Business License rather than filing formation documents.
- LLC: Liability protection, flexible taxation and the lowest recurring state cost of the limited liability entities. This is the most popular choice. We cover the LLC filing step by step in our Nevada LLC guide.
- Corporation: Suits founders raising equity investment or planning to issue stock. Nevada’s corporate law draws many companies, but a business that operates in another state still has to register there too.
Name your business and check availability
Nevada LLC names need a designator such as “Limited-Liability Company”, “Limited Company”, “LLC” or “Ltd.”, and the name must be distinguishable from other entities on file with the Secretary of State.
Check three places before you file:
- The Secretary of State’s records, searchable in the ORION portal. Our Nevada business name search guide explains how to read the results.
- Domains and social handles, which you can check together on Namechk.
- Trademarks, through the USPTO’s federal database.
The business name generator can help if you are still choosing. A name reservation holds a name for 90 days for $25. If you operate under any name that is not your legal entity name, file a fictitious firm name certificate with the clerk of each county where you do business. County clerks set their own fees.
Appoint a registered agent in Nevada
Every Nevada LLC and corporation must keep a registered agent with a physical street address in Nevada. The agent receives lawsuits, subpoenas and official notices for the company. You can serve yourself if you have a Nevada address, but many owners, especially those who live out of state, hire a commercial registered agent.
Formation services often bundle this in. Mainstay Filing, for example, includes a Nevada registered agent for the first year of its formation package. Changing your registered agent later costs $60.
File with the Secretary of State and get your State Business License
Nevada combines formation and licensing into one submission for most new entities. In the ORION portal, an LLC files:
- Articles of Organization ($75), naming the registered agent and the organizer.
- Initial List of Managers or Managing Members ($150), which identifies who runs the company.
- State Business License application ($200 for an LLC, $500 for a corporation).
The State Business License is not optional. Most businesses operating in Nevada must hold one, including sole proprietors and partnerships, though some exemptions exist. It renews each year with your annual list.
After filing, write an operating agreement. Nevada does not ask you to file it, but it defines ownership, management and what happens when a member leaves, and banks often ask for it.
Get an EIN
Next, request an Employer Identification Number from the IRS. It is free and needed for payroll, the Nevada tax registration and most business bank accounts.
Register for Nevada taxes
Nevada has no individual or corporate income tax, but the Department of Taxation administers several taxes that new businesses meet early.
Sales and use tax
If you sell tangible goods, you need a sales tax permit. Register with the Nevada Business Registration form (TAX-F006), and manage filings through My Nevada Tax. The state base rate is 6.85%, and combined rates range from 7.10% in counties such as Douglas and Elko to 8.375% in Clark County, according to the Department of Taxation. The department may require a surety bond as security for the permit.
Modified Business Tax
Employers covered by Nevada’s unemployment compensation law also pay the Modified Business Tax on wages. The rate for most general businesses is 1.17%, and the first $50,000 of wages is not taxable under NRS 363B.110.
Commerce Tax
The Commerce Tax applies only when Nevada gross revenue exceeds $4 million in a fiscal year (July through June). Returns for the 2025-2026 year were due August 14, 2026. Most new businesses fall well under the threshold.
Employer accounts
Employers also register with the Employment Security Division of the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) for unemployment insurance, report new hires, and carry workers’ compensation insurance.
Check local licenses and permits
The State Business License does not replace local licenses. Cities and counties issue their own:
- Clark County, Las Vegas, Henderson and North Las Vegas each license businesses in their jurisdiction.
- Reno, Sparks and Washoe County handle licensing for northern Nevada.
- Regulated industries such as contractors, cosmetology, alcohol and gaming need licenses from state boards and local authorities.
Contact the business license office for the city or county where you will operate before signing a lease, since zoning approval is often part of the process.
Open a bank account and get insured
Use your filed Articles, EIN and operating agreement to open a business bank account, and keep personal spending out of it. General liability insurance protects most customer-facing businesses, and professional liability suits service providers. Nevada employers need workers’ compensation coverage for their employees.
What are the yearly requirements for a Nevada LLC?
Each year, by the last day of the month in which you formed the company, a Nevada LLC files its annual list ($150) and renews its State Business License ($200). Corporations file an annual list priced by the value of their authorized stock ($150 minimum) and pay $500 for the license renewal. Missing the deadline adds a $75 penalty on the annual list and a $100 penalty on the business license, and a company that stays delinquent can have its charter revoked.
Keep your registered agent and management information current between filings too. Updating them through ORION avoids missed notices.
Website builders for Nevada businesses
A matching domain and a basic site help customers find you and confirm you are a real business. Start with a builder that fits your budget:
FAQs
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Nevada?
As of October 2026, forming a Nevada LLC costs $425 in state fees: $75 for the Articles of Organization, $150 for the Initial List of Managers or Managing Members, and $200 for the State Business License. Each year after that, the LLC pays $150 for the annual list and $200 to renew the business license, for $350 a year.
Do I need a Nevada State Business License?
Most businesses operating in Nevada need a State Business License from the Secretary of State, including sole proprietors and partnerships, though some exemptions apply. The license costs $200 a year for LLCs and other entities and $500 a year for corporations. It is separate from city and county business licenses, which you may also need.
Does Nevada have a state income tax?
No. Nevada does not tax personal income or corporate income. Businesses still pay other taxes: sales tax at a 6.85% state base rate, the Modified Business Tax on employee wages, and the Commerce Tax if Nevada gross revenue exceeds $4 million a year. Annual list and business license fees also apply.
What is the Nevada Commerce Tax?
The Commerce Tax is an annual tax on businesses with more than $4 million in Nevada gross revenue in a fiscal year running July through June. Businesses under the threshold are exempt. The return is due 45 days after the June 30 year end; for the 2025-2026 year it was due August 14, 2026. Rates vary by industry.
Where do I file a DBA in Nevada?
Nevada calls a DBA a fictitious firm name. You file the certificate with the county clerk in each county where you do business, not with the Secretary of State. County clerks set their own fees and renewal rules, so check with the clerk’s office in Clark, Washoe or your county before you start using the name.
What is SilverFlume, and is it still used?
SilverFlume was Nevada’s online business portal for forming entities and getting a State Business License. As of October 2026, the old SilverFlume and entity search addresses redirect to the Secretary of State’s ORION portal at orion.nv.gov, which is where you file formation documents, annual lists and business license renewals.
When is the Nevada annual list due?
The annual list and State Business License renewal are due by the last day of the anniversary month of your company’s formation each year. An LLC formed in March, for example, files by March 31 every year. Late filings add $175 in penalties ($75 for the list and $100 for the license), and prolonged delinquency can lead to revocation of the company’s charter.
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