14 Steps for Starting a Business in Nevada

You have a phenomenal business idea, you’ve done some homework to verify your idea is viable, and now you’re ready to take the necessary steps to make your dream of starting a business in Nevada come true. Starting a business in Nevada offers the opportunity to take charge of your own professional destiny in a state known for entrepreneurial innovation and success.

Entrepreneurs find Nevada an attractive state to launch a business for many reasons, including:

• Accessibility to the West Coast and California markets
• No state corporate or individual income tax
• No state franchise tax
• Financial incentives for hiring employees (through the Siver State Works program)

Whether you’re starting a small business in Nevada or have your sights set on establishing a large enterprise there, it’s critical to know what you need to do to launch and operate a company that meets all of the state’s requirements. To help you through the process, I’m going to share many of the details you’ll have to address.

Here are the main steps for starting a business in Nevada.

1. Choose a Business Structure

I can’t emphasize enough how critical it is to thoroughly research your options and get guidance from an accountant and/or attorney as you make this decision. The entity type you select for your business will have legal and tax implications. Which business structure will be best depends on your situation and your goals for your business.

Available business structures in Nevada include:

• Sole Proprietorship
• General partnership
• Limited Liability Company
• Limited Partnership
• Limited Liability Limited Partnership
• Domestic Corporation
• Close Corporation
• Professional Corporation
• Nonprofit Corporation
• Nonprofit Cooperative Corporation
• Cooperative Association

Let’s visit some of the basics about some of the most commonly chosen entity types in Nevada.

Sole Proprietorships and General Partnerships

Sole Proprietorships and General Partnerships do not need to file formation documentation, but they must obtain a state business license, along with any other state or local licensing and permit requirements that apply to their location and type of business. In a Sole Proprietorship or Partnership, there is no legal or tax separation between business owners and the business. In addition to income tax, business owners must also pay self-employment taxes (12.4 percent Social Security Tax and 2.9 percent Medicare Tax).

Limited Liability Companies (LLC)

Like Sole Proprietorships and Partnerships, a Limited Liability Company’s tax obligations pass through to the owners (known as members). From a legal perspective, an LLC is a separate entity from its members, so if the business gets sued or faces financial hardships, the owners receive some protection for their personal assets (home, bank accounts, etc.).

Eligible LLCs have the option of filing for S Corporation tax status if they want to minimize their self-employment tax burden. With the S Corporation election, rather than all of the members’ income getting taxed for Social Security and Medicare, they only pay self-employment taxes on the compensation they receive as wages and salaries. Profits issued to them as distributions are not subject to self-employment taxes.

Limited Partnerships (LP)

Limited Partnerships consist of general partners and limited partners. Owners considered general partners do not have a legal separation between themselves and the business. Limited partners, on the other hand, have personal liability for the business only to the amount of their investment in the company. LPs are taxed the same as general partnerships, with all profit and loss flowing through to the owners.

Nevada allows LPs to choose whether they wish to be governed either by the law outlined in Chapter 87A of the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) or Chapter 88 of the NRS, the primary difference being the degree of division between the roles of general and limited partners.

For-Profit Corporations

For-profit Corporations, also called C Corporations, are legal and tax-paying entities separate from their owners (shareholders).  A C Corporation reports and pays federal income tax on a corporate return. Corporations may sell stock to raise funds. Shareholders report tax via their individual tax returns on salaries and wages (if they work in the company) and profits paid to them as dividend income. Corporations that want to avoid the default double taxation (some company profits getting taxed once at the corporate level and then again at the individual level when they’re distributed to shareholders as dividends) can elect for S Corporation tax treatment if they meet the IRS’s specifications.

2. Name Your Business

After you’ve identified a name that you want to use for your business, check to make sure it’s not already in use (or reserved by) another business in the state. CorpNet’s free name search tool can help you do that. If you think you may want to use your business name in other states eventually, doing a trademark search is beneficial, too.

When you register your entity with the state, your name will become official. The state allows entrepreneurs to reserve a business name for 90 days. If you know the name you want but aren’t quite ready to launch your business, you can reserve the name for 90 days

Businesses may also file a Fictitious Firm Name Form in the counties where they do business if they intend to market their company under a name that’s different from the legal name of the entity. This is also known as a Doing Business As (DBA). Sole Proprietorships and General Partnerships commonly file DBAs when they want to use a business name that’s more creative than their legal name (which must include their first and last name).

For example, let’s say George Ortiz starts a business ergonomics consulting services firm and opts to run it as a Sole Proprietorship. If he wants to use the name “Exceptional Ergonomics” rather than something like “George Ortiz Business Ergonomics Consulting,” he must file a DBA.

3. Designate a Registered Agent

Registered business entities (e.g., LLCs and C Corporations) in the state of Nevada must appoint a registered agent (an approved individual or registered agent services provider) who will accept the service of all legal paperwork on behalf of the company. The registered agent must reside or be located in Nevada and have a physical street address where they will receive paperwork for your business. As you look into registered agents in Nevada, I hope you’ll consider CorpNet’s registered agent services. We provide our services in Nevada and everywhere else in the United States, too.

4. Find a Business Location

If your business will serve customers at a physical location, the location you choose will have a direct impact on your success. Carefully research the zoning, licensing, and permit requirements of the jurisdiction you’re interested in. Also, connect with the local government authorities to explore if any programs exist that provide credits or incentives for locating your business in the area. The Nevada Department of Business and Industry offers a handy way to connect with local governments throughout the state by following the links on the map.

5. Register Your Business

After deciding on a business structure, choosing a business name and verifying that it’s available for use, and designating a registered agent, entrepreneurs must register their business entity with the state. Nevada has an online portal (called “Silverflume”) that handles all business registration and licensing. To save yourself the effort, CorpNet is here to complete the paperwork and file it for you.

In addition to filing the proper formation documents (like Articles of Organization or Articles of Incorporation), there may be other state reports and documentation, as well.

Current Nevada state filing fees are as follows:

• Limited Liability Company
  • Articles of Organization = $75
  • Initial List of Managers or Managing Members = $150
  • Nevada Business License = $200
• Limited Partnership (Chapter 87A and Chapter 88)
  • Certificate of Limited Partnership = $75
  • Initial and Annual List of General Partners = $150
  • Nevada Business License = $200
• Limited Liability Partnership
  • Certificate of Limited Partnership = $75
  • Initial and Annual List of General Partners = $150
  • Nevada Business License = $200
• C Corporation
  • Articles of Incorporation = Starting at $75 (based on the number of shares authorized)
  • Initial List of Officers = $150
  • Nevada Business License = $500

6. Obtain an Employee Identification Number

An Employee Identification Number (EIN) is a unique nine-digit identification that businesses must have to hire employees, open a business bank account, and file certain reports. Individuals with a Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Tax ID Number (ITIN) can obtain an EIN for free from the IRS. CorpNet can assist you by filling out and filing IRS Form SS-4 to request your company’s EIN. Learn more on our Federal Tax ID Number page.

7. Open a Business Bank Account

With your EIN in place, you can establish the bank and credit card accounts you’ll need for depositing your business income and paying expenses. This is extremely important to ensure you maintain separation between your personal and business finances. Failing to keep those monies separate can cause not only bookkeeping headaches but also legal problems. If you start using business funds for personal purchases or otherwise commingle finances, a court may determine you’ve “pierced the corporate veil” that shields owners of LLCs and corporations from liabilities of the business.

8. Seek Funding for Your Business

If you will need to secure funding to get your business off the ground, make sure you have a well-written, thorough business plan that includes financial projections. Keep in mind that some lending institutions and investors might be hesitant to lend money to businesses that aren’t formally registered as entities with the state—this is something to think about as you choose your business structure! Besides banks, credit unions, and private investors, here are some resources that you might find helpful as you look for financing:

• Nevada Microenterprise Initiative Program
• Nevada Government Grants and Incentives
• SBA Funding Programs

9. Obtain State Licenses and Permits

Nevada State Business License

Every business (including Sole Proprietorships and Partnerships) must obtain an annual business license. The annual fee for Corporations is $500 and $200 for all other business entity types. The yearly renewal deadline is the last day of the anniversary month when the business license was initially filed.

It’s also critical to determine the county and local city licensing requirements. Depending on location and type of business, you may need to obtain a county license as well as one or more city licenses. Licensing fees vary depending on the jurisdiction and type of business.

Industry-Specific Licenses and Permits in Nevada

The state also requires businesses in certain industries to obtain special state licenses and permits.

Below, I’ve listed several affected industries and the agencies to contact for information:

• Building Contractors – State Contractors Board
• Public Transportation – Nevada Transportation Authority
• Eldercare and Related Services – State of Nevada Department of Human Resources Bureau of Licensure
• Childcare – Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health
• Businesses that have stationary or mobile sources of regulated air contaminants –  Nevada Division of Environmental Protection
• Restaurants and Other Food Service – Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health

Professional Licenses in Nevada

Also, business owners and workers may need a professional license from either the state or an independent board to legally provide their services.

Local Zoning Rules

Check with your county and zoning district about any ordinances and codes you must comply with where your business will be located. CorpNet can help you through the process of identifying the business licenses and permits you’ll need, and we can take care of filing your applications with the appropriate agencies, as well.

10. Establish the Necessary Tax Accounts

Staying in compliance with all state, local, and federal taxes is essential. In addition to Federal income tax, there are other state and local taxes businesses may need to pay.

• Check with the Nevada Department of Taxation to find out if you will need a resale certificate, exemption certificate, or must pay use tax.
• The Nevada state sales tax is 6.85% and local sales tax rates vary.
• The state sometimes requires businesses to secure a surety bond to guarantee that they will make all due payments on time.
• Businesses that hire employees must also pay unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation coverage.

Learn more about registering for payroll taxes for the state of Nevada.

11. Start Networking and Marketing

Don’t adopt a build it and they will come mindset. Succeeding in business requires getting the word out and spreading awareness about your company. Consider a combination of “old school” and new media strategies to build your brand.

Nevada’s Department of Business and Industry has a calendar of networking and training events where you can meet others in the business community. Face-to-face networking opportunities offer an excellent way to build and nurture business relationships, which can result in quality referrals. Also, consider getting press releases out to local newspapers, radio stations, and TV stations, which could spark media interest in showcasing your business in feature articles and news segments.

Embrace the power of digital marketing, as well. Create a website that can serve as your company’s digital hub and central location for finding information about what you offer. Also, maintain active and engaging social media accounts. I encourage you to explore some of the advertising opportunities through social media. Facebook, for example, enables businesses to create ads and target them to particular audiences at a very reasonable cost.

12. Hire Staff

If you will need employees to work in your business, develop job descriptions and decide what qualifications and skills you will look for job candidates. Make sure you understand all hiring and human resources related laws and payroll responsibilities. You can find a lot of information online about hiring employees, and it can be helpful to get guidance from an attorney, accountant, or human resources consultant.

13. Keep a Compliance Checklist

To avoid additional fees, penalties, and the risk of losing your status of good standing with the state, make sure you keep all of your ongoing business compliance requirements in order. Our online Compliance Portal is a tool that can make the task simple and hassle-free.

14. Additional Help and Resources

In addition to attorneys, accountants, tax advisors, business consultants, and other professionals that can help you make mission-critical decisions when starting a business in Nevada, other resources are available that have Nevada-specific entrepreneurial information. Several of them include:

• Nevada Secretary of State
• SCORE Northern Nevada
• SCORE Las Vegas
• SCORE (National website)
• SBDC (Small Business Development Center) Nevada
• Nevada’s Women’s Business Center
• State of Nevada Department of Business and Industry
• Local area chambers of commerce
• Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development

And, of course, CorpNet is here to help you with all of your registration paperwork when starting a business in Nevada and compliance filings year after year. Contact us today about our registered agent services, obtaining an EIN, forming an LLC or incorporating, applying for business licenses and permits, and more!