At a glance
Filing agency
Nevada Secretary of State
Formation fees
Corporation $75 · LLC $75 · Nonprofit $50
Standard processing
Online filings through the Secretary of State’s business portal are often processed same day or within a few business days. Mail filings take longer. Expedited service is available for an additional fee.
Annual requirement
Nevada entities file an annual list and renew the state business license by the last day of the formation anniversary month. LLCs pay $350 total; corporations pay $650 total; qualifying nonprofits pay a $50 annual list fee and may be exempt from the business license.
Newspaper publication
Not required for new corporations, LLCs, or nonprofits
Forming a business in Nevada
Nevada is known for its privacy protections, no state personal income tax, and a Secretary of State that handles formation, annual lists, and the state business license. The formation fee itself is low, but the required initial list and state business license make the total first-year cost higher than the filing fee suggests.
Nevada’s annual list and business license are due by the last day of the entity’s formation anniversary month. For-profit corporations and LLCs pay a substantial annual amount, while qualifying nonprofits pay a lower annual list fee and may be exempt from the business license. This guide explains each path and the true first-year and recurring costs.
Corporation, LLC, or nonprofit?
The right structure depends on how the business will be owned, managed, financed, and taxed.
A corporation is designed for centralized management and outside investment. An LLC offers
liability protection with more flexible management and tax treatment. A nonprofit corporation
is for an organization operated for a charitable, educational, religious, or other exempt purpose.
Business corporation in Nevada
A Nevada business corporation is created by filing Articles of Incorporation, an initial list of officers and directors, and a state business license application. The corporation’s annual list and license renewal are due by the last day of its formation anniversary month.
| Formation document | Articles of Incorporation |
|---|
| State filing fee | $75 Plus a $150 initial list and a $500 state business license, for a total of $725 at formation for a simple corporation. |
|---|
| Annual filing | Annual List and State Business License renewal — due Last day of the formation anniversary month; $150 annual list plus $500 business license, generally $650. The annual list fee can vary with authorized stock. |
|---|
| Tax treatment | A Nevada corporation is a C corporation by default, with S corporation status available by federal election. Nevada has no personal income tax, but the corporation may owe federal income tax and the state business license and annual list fees. |
|---|
| Best for | Businesses that want a formal board-and-shareholder structure, outside investment, or a Nevada presence with a familiar corporate framework. |
|---|
- A corporate name that is distinguishable and includes a required designator.
- A Nevada registered agent and registered office with a physical street address.
- The initial list of officers and directors.
- The state business license application and the applicable fees.
Start a Nevada Corporation FilingLimited liability company in Nevada
A Nevada LLC is formed by filing Articles of Organization, an initial list of managers or members, and a state business license application. The annual list and license renewal total $350 for a standard LLC.
| Formation document | Articles of Organization |
|---|
| State filing fee | $75 Plus a $150 initial list and a $200 state business license, for a total of $425 at formation. |
|---|
| Annual filing | Annual List and State Business License renewal — due Last day of the formation anniversary month; $150 annual list plus $200 business license, generally $350. The annual list fee is separate from the business license renewal. |
|---|
| Tax treatment | A Nevada LLC is pass-through by default for federal income tax purposes. Members may elect S or C corporation treatment. Nevada has no personal income tax, but the LLC may owe federal taxes and the annual state fees. |
|---|
| Best for | Owner-managed businesses, holding companies, real estate ventures, and startups that want liability protection and no Nevada personal income tax. |
|---|
- An LLC name that includes Limited Liability Company, LLC, L.L.C., or another accepted designator.
- A Nevada registered agent and a physical Nevada street address.
- The initial list of managers or managing members.
- The state business license application and the applicable fees.
Start a Nevada LLC FilingNonprofit corporation in Nevada
A Nevada nonprofit corporation files nonprofit Articles of Incorporation and an initial list of officers and directors. Qualifying nonprofits may claim an exemption from the state business license, and the annual list fee is $50.
| Formation document | Articles of Incorporation – Nonprofit |
|---|
| State filing fee | $50 Plus a $50 initial list, for a total of $100 at formation. Qualifying 501(c) nonprofits may be exempt from the state business license fee. |
|---|
| Annual filing | Annual List — due Last day of the formation anniversary month; $50. A state business license may be required unless the organization qualifies for an exemption. |
|---|
| Tax treatment | Nevada nonprofit corporation status does not automatically create federal tax exemption. The organization must apply to the IRS and may need separate Nevada tax exemption and charitable registration. |
|---|
| Best for | Charitable, educational, religious, civic, and membership organizations that want a formal nonprofit structure with low state annual fees. |
|---|
- A nonprofit name that meets Nevada naming rules.
- A Nevada registered agent and registered office.
- The initial list of officers and directors.
- A statement of nonprofit purpose and the required IRS language if seeking 501(c)(3) status.
Start a Nevada Nonprofit Filing Nevada entity comparison
| Factor | Corporation | LLC | Nonprofit |
|---|
| Formation document | Articles of Incorporation | Articles of Organization | Articles of Incorporation – Nonprofit |
|---|
| State filing fee | $75 | $75 | $50 |
|---|
| Annual filing | Annual List and State Business License renewal | Annual List and State Business License renewal | Annual List |
|---|
| Tax treatment | A Nevada corporation is a C corporation by default, with S corporation status available by federal election. Nevada has no personal income tax, but the corporation may owe federal income tax and the state business license and annual list fees. | A Nevada LLC is pass-through by default for federal income tax purposes. Members may elect S or C corporation treatment. Nevada has no personal income tax, but the LLC may owe federal taxes and the annual state fees. | Nevada nonprofit corporation status does not automatically create federal tax exemption. The organization must apply to the IRS and may need separate Nevada tax exemption and charitable registration. |
|---|
| Best for | Businesses that want a formal board-and-shareholder structure, outside investment, or a Nevada presence with a familiar corporate framework. | Owner-managed businesses, holding companies, real estate ventures, and startups that want liability protection and no Nevada personal income tax. | Charitable, educational, religious, civic, and membership organizations that want a formal nonprofit structure with low state annual fees. |
|---|
The state business license is part of the formation cost
Nevada requires nearly every business entity to obtain a state business license. For a standard LLC, the license is $200 and is filed with the $150 initial list; for a for-profit corporation, the license is generally $500. Those amounts are in addition to the $75 Articles of Organization or Articles of Incorporation filing fee.
Qualifying 501(c) nonprofits may be exempt from the business license fee, but the exemption must be claimed. An entity that does not qualify will need to renew the license each year with its annual list.
Annual list and license renewal are due on the anniversary month
Nevada entities file an annual list and renew the state business license by the last day of the month in which they were formed. An LLC formed in June files by June 30 each year. The annual list updates the entity’s managers, members, officers, directors, and registered agent.
A late annual list incurs a $75 penalty, and a late business license renewal adds a $100 penalty. Continued delinquency can lead to revocation or dissolution. The state does not prorate the fees for a partial year.
Nevada’s low formation fee is not the full first-year cost
The $75 Articles of Organization fee is often quoted as the cost to form a Nevada LLC, but the initial list and business license bring the total to $425 for a standard LLC. A for-profit corporation’s total is generally $725. Budgeting for those additional amounts avoids surprises at checkout.
Nevada has no personal income tax, which can be attractive, but the entity may still have federal tax obligations and the annual state fees. A Nevada entity doing business in another state may also need to register there and pay that state’s taxes and fees.
How to form a Nevada entity
- Check the name. Search the Nevada business entity database and confirm the name is available and uses the correct designator.
- Appoint a registered agent. Arrange a Nevada registered agent and a physical Nevada street address for service of process and state mail.
- Prepare the formation packet. Complete the Articles of Organization or Articles of Incorporation, the initial list, and the state business license application.
- File with the Secretary of State. Submit online or by mail with the $75 formation fee, the initial list fee, and the applicable business license fee.
- Calendar the anniversary-month renewal. File the annual list and renew the state business license by the last day of the formation anniversary month each year.
Nevada annual list and state business license
Nevada entities file an annual list and renew the state business license by the last day of their formation anniversary month. LLCs pay $150 for the list and $200 for the license; for-profit corporations generally pay $150 for the list and $500 for the license. Qualifying nonprofits pay a $50 annual list fee and may be exempt from the business license.
A late annual list incurs a $75 penalty, and a late license renewal adds a $100 penalty. Continued delinquency can lead to revocation or dissolution. We can coordinate the annual list, license renewal, and registered agent information so the filings stay together.
| Entity | Annual filing | Due | State fee |
|---|
| Business corporation | Annual List and State Business License renewal | Last day of the formation anniversary month | $150 annual list plus $500 business license, generally $650 |
|---|
| Limited liability company | Annual List and State Business License renewal | Last day of the formation anniversary month | $150 annual list plus $200 business license, generally $350 |
|---|
| Nonprofit corporation | Annual List | Last day of the formation anniversary month | $50 |
|---|
Does Nevada require newspaper publication?
No. Nevada does not require a corporation, LLC, or nonprofit corporation to publish a newspaper notice of formation. The entity is formed when the Secretary of State accepts the formation documents and the required initial list and license filings.
Publication requirements exist in a few other states, including Pennsylvania, New York, and Georgia. A Nevada entity that registers to do business in one of those states should confirm whether the foreign registration or a later filing triggers a publication obligation.
Nevada formation questions
The total first-year state cost is generally $425: $75 for Articles of Organization, $150 for the initial list, and $200 for the state business license. The annual renewal is generally $350. A registered agent and operating agreement are separate.
The total first-year state cost is generally $725: $75 for Articles of Incorporation, $150 for the initial list, and $500 for the state business license. The annual renewal is generally $650. The annual list fee can vary with authorized stock.
A nonprofit corporation pays $50 for Articles of Incorporation and $50 for the initial list, for a total of $100. Qualifying 501(c) nonprofits may be exempt from the state business license fee. The annual list fee is $50.
Yes, most Nevada entities need a state business license. The fee is generally $200 for an LLC and $500 for a for-profit corporation, renewed annually with the annual list. Qualifying nonprofits may claim an exemption.
It is due by the last day of the month in which the entity was formed. A late annual list incurs a $75 penalty, and a late business license renewal adds a $100 penalty.
Yes. Nevada corporations, LLCs, and nonprofit corporations must maintain a registered agent and a physical Nevada registered office. The agent receives service of process and official state correspondence.
No. Nevada does not require newspaper publication for a new corporation, LLC, or nonprofit corporation. A Nevada entity that registers in a state with a publication rule should confirm that state’s requirement separately.
Official Nevada resources
Fees, forms, and deadlines were reviewed in November 2026 and can change. This guide is
general information for attorneys, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. It is not legal,
tax, or accounting advice. Confirm the current requirement with the Nevada Secretary of State, Commercial Recordings Division or your
professional adviser before filing.