The complete, authoritative guide to Nevada LLC formation: step-by-step process, real costs, asset protection truth, and when Nevada actually makes sense vs the marketing hype
Nevada is heavily marketed for LLCs, but most of what you hear is either exaggerated or outright false. Here's the truth.
Reality: Nevada has no state income tax, but you're still taxed by your home state. If you're a CA resident running a business from CA, California will tax your income regardless of where you incorporated.
Nevada also has: Annual $200 business license fee, $150 annual list, $500 initial filing costs, and a Commerce Tax on gross revenue over $4M.
Nevada makes sense if:
| Feature | Nevada Rule | Practical Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Charging Order Protection | NRS 86.401 β Exclusive remedy, even for single-member LLCs | Strong creditor protection in Nevada courts; creditor only gets economic rights, no management control |
| Series LLCs | NRS 86.296 β Authorized series with segregated assets/liabilities | Create multiple "cells" under one LLC umbrella; ideal for real estate portfolios |
| Restricted LLCs | NRS 86.1252 β 10-year distribution restriction | Enhanced estate planning & valuation discounts |
| No State Income Tax | Nevada Constitution | No state-level tax on LLC profits if you're a Nevada resident or business |
| Business Judgment Rule | Recent case law (Aug 2025) | Strong protection for managers/members from liability when OA specifies fiduciary duties |
| Privacy (Limited) | Members not disclosed on Articles | Operating agreement and member list not filed publicly (but RA is public) |
Follow these steps to properly form and maintain your Nevada LLC. Each step includes statutory references and practical guidance.
Legal Requirements (NRS 86.171):
How to Check Availability:
Legal Requirement (NRS 77.310): Every Nevada LLC must have a registered agent with a physical Nevada street address (no P.O. boxes).
Your Options:
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial RA Service | Professional, reliable, privacy, handles service of process correctly | $100-200/year cost |
| Friend/Relative in NV | Free or low cost | Must be available during business hours, receives legal service, address is public, may move/become unavailable |
| Your Own NV Office | Direct control | Only works if you actually have a Nevada physical office; address is public |
I provide registered agent service for clients as part of formation packages. See the Services tab for details.
Required Contents (NRS 86.161):
Optional Provisions You Can Include:
Filing Methods:
This is where Nevada's fee structure differs from most states. You must file two additional documents right after (or with) your Articles:
| Filing | Fee | When Due |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | $75 | On formation |
| Initial List of Managers/Members | $150 | With or immediately after Articles |
| State Business License | $200 | With or immediately after Articles |
| TOTAL FIRST-YEAR STATE COSTS | $425 | β |
What Goes on the Initial List (NRS 86.263):
State Business License (NRS 76):
You need a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) for:
How to Get Your EIN:
For Non-U.S. Owners: If you don't have a Social Security Number, you'll need an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) or provide your passport information on Form SS-4.
Is an Operating Agreement Required? (NRS 86.286)
Nevada does not require a written operating agreement, but it's essential for:
Nevada's Mandatory Operating Agreement Provisions (NRS 86.298):
Recent Nevada law changes require the OA to address certain issues. You should work with an attorney to ensure compliance.
What You'll Need:
Nevada vs Out-of-State Banking: You don't need a Nevada bank account for a Nevada LLC. Most clients use a bank in their home state or a national online business bank.
Depending on your business, you may also need:
Book a paid consultation to discuss your situation.
Nevada is NOT the cheapest state to form an LLC. Here's exactly what you'll pay, with no hidden fees.
| Item | Who You Pay | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | Nevada Secretary of State | $75 | One-time filing fee |
| Initial List of Managers/Members | Nevada Secretary of State | $150 | Required with or shortly after Articles |
| State Business License | Nevada Secretary of State | $200 | Annual; first year due on formation |
| Registered Agent (Year 1) | RA Service (if using commercial) | $100-200 | Often included in formation packages |
| Operating Agreement | Attorney (recommended) or DIY | $500-2,000 | Not filed with state; custom draft recommended |
| EIN | IRS (free) or service | $0-50 | Free if you apply directly at IRS.gov |
| TOTAL (DIY, with RA) | β | $525-650 | Minimum state fees + RA |
| TOTAL (Full-Service Formation) | β | $1,500-2,500 | State fees + RA + attorney OA + filing service |
| Item | When Due | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual List of Managers/Members | Anniversary month of formation | $150 | Must be filed every year |
| State Business License Renewal | Anniversary month of formation | $200 | Must be renewed every year |
| Registered Agent (Year 2+) | Annually | $100-200 | If using commercial RA service |
| Commerce Tax | If Nevada revenue > $4M | Variable | Gross receipts tax; most small LLCs exempt |
| TOTAL ANNUAL (Minimum) | β | $350-550 | Annual List + License + RA |
Set a calendar reminder for your anniversary month. I provide annual compliance reminders for all clients.
| State | Formation Cost | Annual Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | $425 (state fees only) | $350 (Annual List + License) | + RA fee ($100-200/year) |
| Wyoming | $100 + $60 license | $60 (annual report) | Cheaper than Nevada; also no income tax |
| Delaware | $90 | $300 (franchise tax) | Standard for VC-backed companies |
| California | $70 | $800 (minimum franchise tax) | Expensive annual tax, but if you're CA resident/business, you'll pay this anyway |
| Texas | $300 | $0 (no annual report for LLCs) | No state income tax |
| Florida | $125 | $138.75 (annual report) | No state income tax |
Conclusion: Nevada is more expensive than Wyoming, Delaware, and most home states. Form in Nevada only if you have a specific reason (asset protection, series LLC, restricted LLC, Nevada operations), not just to "save money."
| Service Level | Additional Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $0 | Same day (online) or 7-10 days (mail) |
| 24-Hour | + $125 | Next business day |
| 2-Hour | + $500 | 2 hours |
| 1-Hour | + $1,000 | 1 hour |
Pro Tip: Unless you have an emergency closing or funding deadline, standard filing is fine. SilverFlume online filings are approved same-day in most cases.
Nevada allows two specialized LLC structures not available in most states: Series LLCs and Restricted LLCs. Here's when they make sense.
Legal Authority: NRS 86.296 allows an LLC's operating agreement to establish one or more "series" of members, managers, or membership interests, with each series having separate rights, powers, duties, and assets/liabilities.
A series LLC is like an umbrella LLC with multiple "cells" underneath it:
Legal Authority: NRS 86.1252 defines a "restricted limited-liability company" as an LLC that restricts distributions for a specified period (typically 10 years).
A restricted LLC is an LLC that:
Estate Planning & Valuation Discounts:
When you gift LLC interests to children or put them in trust, the IRS values those interests based on their fair market value. If the LLC restricts distributions for 10 years:
I work with estate planning clients to structure and document restricted LLCs. See Services tab or schedule a consultation.
Book a paid consultation to discuss your situation.
Nevada has strong asset protection lawsβbut they only apply in Nevada courts. Here's what actually works and what's marketing fiction.
Legal Authority: NRS 86.401 β Nevada provides that a charging order is the exclusive remedy for a judgment creditor seeking to satisfy a judgment from a member's LLC interest.
When you owe a personal debt (car accident judgment, divorce settlement, unpaid credit card), and the creditor wants to collect from your LLC ownership:
Most states' charging order protection only applies to multi-member LLCs. Nevada (and a few other states like Wyoming, Delaware) extend charging order protection to single-member LLCs.
| State | Single-Member LLC Protected? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada | β Yes (NRS 86.401) | Charging order is exclusive remedy even for SMLLCs |
| Wyoming | β Yes | Strongest in the nation; also has longer statute of limitations on fraudulent transfers |
| Delaware | β Yes | Recent amendments extended to SMLLCs |
| California | β No | Courts can allow foreclosure on SMLLC interests |
| Most Other States | β No / Unclear | Charging order protection typically requires multi-member LLC |
Recent Development (August 2025): A Nevada District Court held that the business judgment rule applies to Nevada LLCs when the operating agreement specifies fiduciary duties of managers to members.
If you're a manager of a Nevada LLC:
Your operating agreement should include:
I draft operating agreements with these provisions for clients who want Delaware-style governance protections in Nevada.
FALSE. No entity makes you judgment-proof. If you personally guarantee a debt, commit fraud, cause an accident while conducting LLC business, or pierce the corporate veil, you're personally liable.
Nevada's charging order protection only shields your LLC ownership interest from being seized by creditors for personal debts unrelated to the LLC.
Smart asset protection uses multiple layers:
What Nevada does and doesn't taxβand why forming a Nevada LLC won't save you from your home state's taxes.
| Tax Type | Nevada Rule | Who Pays |
|---|---|---|
| State Income Tax | β None (prohibited by NV Constitution) | No one pays state income tax on LLC profits in Nevada |
| Corporate Income Tax | β None | Nevada has no corporate-level income tax |
| Commerce Tax | β Gross receipts tax on Nevada-source revenue > $4M/year (NRS 363C) | Businesses with > $4M Nevada gross revenue; rates vary by industry (0.051% to 0.331%) |
| Sales & Use Tax | β State + local rates (total 6.85% to 8.375%) | Businesses selling taxable goods/services in Nevada |
| Modified Business Tax | β Payroll tax (1.475% general, 2% financial institutions) | Employers with > $50K quarterly payroll (excluding first $50K) |
| State Business License | β $200/year for LLCs | All Nevada LLCs |
| Property Tax | β On real and business personal property | Businesses owning property in Nevada |
Individual Income Tax:
Pass-Through Taxation (Single-Member LLC):
Pass-Through Taxation (Multi-Member LLC):
| Filing | When Due | Fee | Consequence of Missing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual List of Managers/Members | Anniversary month (last day) | $150 | $50 late fee; eventual revocation |
| State Business License Renewal | Anniversary month (last day) | $200 | Late fees; revocation |
| Commerce Tax Return (if applicable) | Annual, with quarterly estimates if tax > $4,000 | Variable (based on gross revenue) | Penalties & interest |
| Federal Form 1065 (multi-member) | March 15 (or Sept 15 with extension) | N/A | IRS penalties ($220/month/member) |
| Member Schedule K-1s | March 15 | N/A | Members can't file personal returns |
| Estimated Taxes (if applicable) | Quarterly (Apr 15, Jun 15, Sep 15, Jan 15) | Variable | Underpayment penalties |
I provide annual compliance reminders and can handle Nevada annual list/license filings for clients. See Services tab.
Nevada LLC formation doesn't change your federal tax treatment:
I handle Nevada LLC formation, operating agreements, series/restricted LLC structuring, and ongoing compliance for clients nationwide.
Complete formation service for standard Nevada LLC
Custom operating agreement + strategic planning
For real estate portfolios, funds, multi-asset structures
For family wealth transfer & valuation discounts
For existing Nevada LLCs that need proper OA
Never miss a Nevada filing deadline
Total out-of-pocket for premium formation: ~$2,925 (my fee $2,500 + NV state fees $425)
I understand Nevada LLC law, series/restricted structures, and when Nevada actually makes sense vs when it's marketing hype.
I help clients structure for charging order protection, multi-member planning, and integration with trusts and estate planning.
I coordinate with CPAs to ensure your LLC structure aligns with tax goals (partnership vs S-Corp election, etc.).
I work with clients in all 50 states, including CA residents who need proper multi-state entity structuring.
I'll tell you if Nevada is NOT right for you. I don't make money pushing unnecessary structures.
Annual compliance reminders, document amendments, and advice as your business grows.
Get clear, honest advice on whether Nevada LLC formation makes sense for your situationβand if so, how to do it right.
We'll discuss your business structure, state tax situation, asset protection goals, and whether Nevada (or another state) is the right choice. I'll give you straight answersβno sales pitch, no pressure.
Nevada, Wyoming, Delaware, or your home state? I'll analyze your situation and recommend the best jurisdiction.
Single-member, multi-member, series LLC, restricted LLC, or standard LLC? We'll pick the right structure for your goals.
I'll explain how Nevada formation affects your state and federal tax obligations (and when it doesn't save you taxes).
Charging order protection, multi-member strategies, series LLCs, and how to structure for maximum protection.
Exactly what documents you need, how long formation takes, and what happens after filing.
Transparent pricing: state fees, attorney fees, ongoing costs, and what you're actually paying for.
Sergei Tokmakov, Esq.
I'm a business attorney specializing in entity formation, asset protection, and multi-state structuring. I help entrepreneurs, real estate investors, and families navigate Nevada LLC formation, series/restricted structures, and complex operating agreements.
Direct Contact: owner@terms.law
Or schedule using the calendar above.