Start a Business in Nevada Today

Step 1: Create a business plan for your Nevada company

Creating a business plan does more than simply organize your thoughts, because it helps on the funding side, too. Solid business plans attract investors and can help you secure a loan, whether it’s through a bank or the Small Business Administration (SBA). It can also help you land a qualifying grant.

Since most businesses aren’t typically profitable off the bat, your business plan should help you map out a path to financial stability. You may want to include things like:

• A clarification of your business idea
• A competitive analysis, so you can see how like-minded businesses function and figure out what unique thing you’re bringing to the table.
• An overview of your business goals: How much income do you plan to make? What problem are you looking to solve?
• Potential issues that may arise through the course of business and a plan to solve them. For example, what happens if you lose a supplier? What happens if your manufacturing is delayed?
• A market analysis to help you understand your target consumer and how best to serve them
• An overview of your finances and projected profits: When do you expect to be profitable?

In addition, you may want to check for qualifying tax breaks and grants within Nevada. Though these are typically awarded to nonprofits and research-based startups, this isn’t always the case. You can view our complete guide to writing a business plan for more information.

Need help creating a business plan for your Nevada business? We put together a comprehensive library of articles and guides on business planning.

Step 2: Choose a business structure

While there aren’t many Nevada taxes and you may have certain exemptions per the Nevada Department of Taxation, you still need to choose a business structure to pay the IRS and obtain a Nevada state business license. Some businesses choose to incorporate or file for nonprofit status, but one of the most popular business structures remains the limited liability company (LLC).

Despite the paperwork, a Nevada LLC is favorable because it avoids the so-called double taxation of corporations. In other words, your business’s income passes through to your personal return rather than having profits also taxed on a corporate level. The main draw, however, is that this structure offers limited liability protection on personal assets. This structure also can enjoy some privacy. Owner names do not need to be listed on official state filings as long as you have all-member managers, but they do need to be within a Nevada operating agreement if your LLC chooses to have one. You can file for an LLC online, and it’s a rather speedy process, but there are fees that range from $75 for the primary fee to and as much as $350 for all the associated optional LLC fees.

Sole proprietorships have the least amount of paperwork. In fact, if someone has numerous sole proprietorships in Nevada, they’re only required to get one Nevada state business license rather than a license for each separate business they run. Many business owners who opt for this structure file for a DBA (doing business as) name and use a fictitious firm name rather than their own personal legal name.

To limit paperwork, they can even opt to use their Social Security number on tax forms rather than an employer identification number (EIN) or tax ID number (TIN), though this is not recommended because of potential identity theft. Also — and this is an important thing to keep in mind — sole proprietorships do not have the same liability protection as LLCs.

Still not sure what business structure to choose for your business in Nevada? Get 100% certain by reading this business structures page.

Step 3: Determine startup costs for your Nevada business

Before you can launch your small business, you need to make sure that you have enough funding. To do this, you’ll have to determine your business costs by adding up your fixed expenses (like mortgage or rent and insurance premiums) with projected variable expenses (like sales taxes or use taxes and manufacturing costs). You’ll also need to include one-time costs, like filing fees and equipment purchases. Remember to add a financial cushion just in case of an emergency.

Most business owners don’t have startup funding hanging around in their bank accounts. In this case, you’ll need to raise the funds, but you can do this in a number of ways. For small purchases, business owners may want to use a low or no-APR business credit card. For larger expenses, most small companies opt for a business loan.

Business loans can be procured through a bank or the SBA. The SBA has a number of funding resources available and can even help you find an outside investor or grant. Nevada also makes finding qualifying grants simple. The Office of Grant Procurement, Coordination, and Management have a massive listserve on their website, as well as links to federal government resources.

Does math overwhelm you? That is okay! We’ll walk you through business cost calculation in this guide.

Step 4: Name your Nevada business

Whether you’re using a DBA or not, it’s important to choose a great business name. This is how your consumers will know you, so it must be simple enough to be easily recognized on social media but unique enough that you don’t struggle to obtain a domain name.

It’s important to make sure that your business name isn’t already taken, so search Nevada’s business registrations before you commit to avoid any legal repercussions. You can reserve your business name online through Nevada’s business portal.

Step 5: Register your business in Nevada

The final step before launching your startup is to hire a registered agent in Nevada. A registered agent is a person or entity that has a Nevada address and can manage important legal communications between the state and your business. A registered agent can also help you with registering your business accounts. Most of the paperwork, like LLC filing and obtaining a general business license, can be done through Nevada’s SilverFlume business portal, though specialized licensing generally must be done through the license’s associated agency. In addition to obtaining a state business license and registering as a business entity, consider the following:

• Open a business bank account
• Obtain a business credit card
• Check your Nevada business address’s local zoning license requirements
• Get specialized business licenses (for example, do you need a food or liquor license for your business?)
• Get the proper insurance
• File for an EIN with the IRS
• As far as insurance goes, most businesses need general liability insurance, but there are also specialized insurances that may be required. Before you hire full-time or part-time employees, you will have to pay into workers’ compensation insurance and unemployment insurance. These are not required for independent contractors. 
• In addition, corporations and nonprofit corporations will have to file Nevada articles of incorporation with the Nevada Secretary of State before they can register their business entity. Anything that needs to be notarized can be done by the county clerk.

Step 6: Market your business

Anyone can launch a business in Nevada, but without a solid marketing plan, people won’t know that it exists. To reach customers, create a comprehensive social media strategy across all major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. You may also want to register your business on platforms like Yelp, Google My Business, and local directories. In addition, a full-fledged search-engine-optimized (SEO) plan for your website can make your business easier to find online.

Top Nevada Cities to Form Businesses

Las Vegas: Globally recognized for tourism and entertainment. Growing sectors include technology, healthcare, and renewable energy. Strong startup ecosystem supported by initiatives aimed at fostering innovation.

Reno: Transforming from a casino-centric city to a tech hub. Home to significant tech firms like Tesla and Panasonic at the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center. Proximity to California offers a cost-effective alternative for businesses.

Henderson: Offers a suburban environment close to Las Vegas. Strong focus on healthcare, manufacturing, and technology. Known for high quality of life and excellent public services.

Sparks: Adjacent to Reno, sharing many of the same economic benefits. Growth in industrial, manufacturing, and distribution sectors. Benefiting from regional investments in infrastructure and tech influx.

Carson City: State capital with a stable economy centered around government services. Growing sectors include manufacturing, professional services, and healthcare. Steady population and governmental activities provide a consistent business market.

These cities provide a mix of industrial strengths, strategic geographic locations, and supportive business environments, making them suitable for various types of business ventures in Nevada.