Register an LLC in Nevada

You’ll need to choose your business name before you do anything else. A good LLC name will be an effective way to brand your business while also complying with state laws regarding business names.

By law, your LLC name should not be too similar to any other names already registered in Nevada. Here’s some tips for avoiding confusion:

• Perform a Nevada business name search to see if your name is available.
• Search available domain names for one that matches or pairs well with your business name.
• Check the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office database to make sure nothing too similar is already being used at the federal level.

Your domain name opens up a world of options. From launching a website, building social media profiles, setting up email communications, and printing business cards, there’s a whole lot of new-business stuff you can’t do until you choose a domain name.

When you choose your business domain, consider:

• Does your domain work well with your business name?

• Is your domain easy to remember and spell?

• Is your domain available wherever else you want it, like social platforms, trademarks, or business name registries?

Once you have a domain you’re happy with, it’s time to claim it. When you order your domain through Northwest, we’ll also set you up with a website, custom built by our business website experts, hosted and secured through us. We’ve been doing this more than 25 years, so our services are built on trust.

Your Nevada registered agent is responsible for accepting legal mail on behalf of your LLC. Every LLC operating in Nevada is required to have one. You can be your own registered agent, appoint another individual, or hire a registered agent service.

No matter who your registered agent is, they must adhere to certain rules. Most importantly, your registered agent needs to be available during regular business hours at a Nevada street address where they can accept service of process on your LLC’s behalf.

The registered agent you use is a key part of your business identity.

To start your LLC in Nevada, you’ll need to submit Articles of Organization to the Secretary of State alongside an Initial List and State Business License Application.

You can submit your Articles and supporting documents online, by mail, or in person.

A LLC operating agreement is an internal document that puts your company’s rules and processes into writing. Your operating agreement is where you establish guidelines and standards for things like voting, dispute resolution, and initial investments.

While Nevada doesn’t require LLCs to adopt operating agreements, having one is more than just good practice. Not only does an operating agreement help your business run smoothly, it can help your LLC maintain its limited liability status in the face of a lawsuit.

To keep your Nevada company functional, you need to keep your business finances organized and secure. The first step is getting an EIN, or Employer Identification Number, the number assigned to your business by the IRS for tax purposes.

Having an EIN also makes it easier to open a business bank account. This is an essential element of maintaining your LLC’s limited liability and keeping the business separate from its owners. If you mix personal and business finances, a court could revoke your limited liability protection.

To ensure your LLC is on good terms with both the state and federal government, you’ll need to stay on top of these tax and reporting requirements:

• Annual List and Business License: Nevada LLCs must file an Annual List and State Business License Application with the Secretary of State, due by the end of your LLC’s anniversary month. Also called an annual report, it updates the state on your business’s ownership and contact information while renewing your business license. The total cost is $350. Worried you’ll forget? Let us file your Nevada Annual Report for you.
• Taxes: LLCs are taxed as pass-through entities by default. This means profits pass to members, who account for them on their personal tax returns. Nevada doesn’t collect personal income tax, which is good news for those looking to start an LLC in the state.

There are a few additional Nevada taxes to be aware of, which are detailed below.

*This is informational commentary, not advice. This information is intended strictly for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice or a substitute for legal counsel. This information is not intended to create, nor does your receipt, viewing, or use of it constitute, an attorney-client relationship. More information is available in our Terms of Service.