Starting a business in Nevada costs as little as $75 for an LLC filing fee. Nevada has no personal income tax, making it especially attractive for pass-through entities like LLCs and S-Corps. Below we compare LLC vs. S-Corp vs. Sole Proprietorship costs, walk through the 6 steps to form your business, and provide calculators pre-filled for Nevada. Nevada ranks #6 nationally for business friendliness.
LLC vs. S-Corp vs. Sole Proprietorship — 2026 estimated costs
| Entity Type | Filing Fee | Annual Fee | Franchise Tax | 1st Year Total | Ongoing/Yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LLC | $75 | $350 | -- | $575 | $500/yr |
| S-Corp | $300 | $200 | -- | $650 | $350/yr |
| Sole Proprietorship | $75 | -- | -- | $75 | -- |
No corporate or personal income tax. Annual list fee of $150 + $200 business license fee. Commerce tax on gross revenue > $4M.
Your LLC name must be unique in Nevada and include"LLC" or"Limited Liability Company." Search the Nevada Secretary of State database to verify availability. Consider reserving the name (typically $10-25 for 60-120 days) while you prepare your filing.
File your Articles of Organization (or Certificate of Formation) with the Nevada Secretary of State. The filing fee is $75. You can file online in most states for faster processing. Include your registered agent information, member names, and business purpose.
Apply for a free Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS at irs.gov. You need this for opening a bank account, hiring employees, and filing taxes. The online application takes about 5 minutes and you receive your EIN immediately.
Nevada has no state income tax. However, you may want to register for sales tax collection if you sell taxable goods or services. The Nevada sales tax rate is 6.8%. Check for any applicable local taxes or business license requirements.
Check Nevada and local requirements for business licenses, professional licenses, and permits. Requirements vary by industry and location. Common needs include a general business license, zoning permit, and industry-specific permits (food service, construction, healthcare, etc.).
Open a dedicated business bank account to maintain your LLC's liability protection. You may need your Articles of Organization, EIN, and operating agreement. Keep personal and business finances strictly separate — commingling funds can pierce the corporate veil and expose personal assets.
Total estimated first-year cost: $575 (filing fee + registered agent + annual fees). Ongoing annual cost is approximately $500/yr after the first year.
Nevada's COL index of 101 is essentially the national average — Las Vegas runs slightly above at ~105.
Reno/Tahoe area is more expensive (~110-115) due to California spillover demand.
Nevada has no state income tax, no corporate income tax, and no estate tax.
Nevada's sales tax is 6.85% plus local additions — Las Vegas combined rate is ~8.375%.
Nevada modified business tax (MBT) applies to employers — self-employed individuals with no employees are generally exempt.
National averages based on mean of all 50 states + DC. "pp" = percentage points.
The Nevada LLC filing fee is $75. Including a registered agent ($150/yr) and annual fees ($350), the first-year total cost is approximately $575. This is $57 below the national average filing fee.
An LLC is simpler and cheaper to maintain in Nevada ($575 first-year cost vs. $650 for an S-Corp). An S-Corp can save self-employment taxes if you earn over ~$50K in profit by splitting income into salary and distributions. Most Nevada businesses start as an LLC and elect S-Corp taxation later when profits justify the additional complexity and payroll costs.
Nevada has no personal income tax, which benefits pass-through entities (LLCs, S-Corps, sole proprietors). There is no corporate income tax either. Sales tax is 6.8% at the state level (plus local additions).
Requirements vary by business type and location. Most Nevada businesses need: (1) a state business license or registration, (2) a local business license from your city/county, (3) industry-specific permits or professional licenses, and (4) a sales tax permit if selling taxable goods. Check with the Nevada Secretary of State and your local city clerk for specific requirements.
Business formation costs are estimates based on Nevada Secretary of State fees as of 2026. Tax rates use 2026 data. Registered agent fees based on market averages. Actual costs may vary. Consult a CPA or business attorney for personalized advice. Last updated: April 2026.