Nevada is genuinely one of the easier states to start a business in — no state income tax, a single online portal for most registrations, and low filing fees. The catch is that "easy to start" and "easy to keep compliant" are different things. This checklist covers both, in order.
Step 1 — Choose the entity
| Entity | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Sole proprietorship | Testing an idea, very low revenue, no employees | Unlimited personal liability; self-employment tax on all profit |
| Single-member LLC | Most new Las Vegas small businesses | Same taxes as sole prop by default; liability protection only if you keep finances separate |
| Multi-member LLC / partnership | Two or more owners | Files Form 1065; needs an operating agreement from day one |
| LLC taxed as S-corp | Profitable owner-operated businesses, typically $60k+ net | Requires payroll for the owner; extra return; must be elected on time |
| C-corporation | Raising outside investment | Double taxation; rarely right for a local service business |
For most owner-operated businesses in Las Vegas the answer is an LLC, with an S-corp election considered once profit is consistently above the point where the payroll-tax savings exceed the added cost of running payroll for yourself.
Step 2 — Register the entity with Nevada
Nevada's SilverFlume portal handles Articles of Organization (LLC) or Incorporation, the Initial List of managers or officers, and the state business license in one filing. Current fees: $75 Articles of Organization, $150 Initial List, and the state business license — $200 per year for LLCs, sole proprietors and partnerships, $500 per year for corporations. Every entity must name a registered agent with a Nevada street address.
The Annual List and state business license renewal are due every year by the last day of your anniversary month. Missing it triggers a $75 late fee, then a $100 penalty, and eventually the entity goes into default status — which can void your liability protection. Put it on a calendar now.
Step 3 — Get an EIN
An Employer Identification Number from the IRS is free and takes ten minutes online. You need it to open a business bank account, hire anyone, or file returns as an LLC or corporation. Do not pay a third-party service for this.
Step 4 — Local licenses
- City of Las Vegas business license — if your business address is inside city limits.
- Clark County business license — for unincorporated areas, which includes most of the Strip, Paradise, Spring Valley, Enterprise and Sunrise Manor.
- City of North Las Vegas or City of Henderson — if located there.
- Health permits (Southern Nevada Health District) for food businesses; Contractors Board license for construction trades; cosmetology board for salons.
Address determines jurisdiction. Many owners are surprised that their "Las Vegas" address is actually unincorporated Clark County.
Step 5 — Sales tax permit
If you sell tangible goods, register for a Nevada Sales Tax Permit through the Nevada Tax Center before your first sale. Clark County's combined rate is 8.375%, returns are due on the 20th, and the Department assigns a monthly, quarterly or annual frequency. See our sales tax guide for details.
Step 6 — Payroll registration (before the first hire)
- Register with the Nevada Employment Security Division for unemployment insurance — this also enrolls you in the Modified Business Tax.
- Obtain workers' compensation insurance. It is mandatory in Nevada from the first employee.
- File new-hire reports within 20 days of each hire.
- Set up federal payroll tax deposits (EFTPS).
Step 7 — The bookkeeping setup nobody does
This is where year two gets expensive. Businesses that skip these five items are the ones paying for catch-up bookkeeping later.
- Open a dedicated business bank account and a business credit card. Never run personal expenses through them — for an LLC this is also what preserves your liability shield.
- Choose accounting software (QuickBooks Online for most) and set up a chart of accounts for your industry, not the default template.
- Connect bank feeds and categorize transactions weekly, not at year end.
- Decide how the owner gets paid — draws for a sole prop / default LLC, salary via payroll for an S-corp — and stick to it.
- Calendar every recurring deadline: sales tax on the 20th, quarterly 941 / MBT / ESD, quarterly estimated taxes, Annual List, January 1099s and W-2s.
First-year federal deadlines to know
- Quarterly estimated taxes: April 15, June 15, September 15, January 15.
- S-corp election (Form 2553): within 2 months and 15 days of the start of the tax year you want it to apply to.
- Partnership / S-corp return: March 16. Sole prop / single-member LLC (Schedule C) and C-corp: April 15.
- 1099-NEC and W-2: January 31.
Our Administrative & System Setup service does steps 5 through 7 with you — registrations verified, software configured for your industry, and a written procedure for the person who does the daily entry. It is far cheaper than rebuilding a year of records later.
This guide is general information and not tax advice for your specific situation. Rates and dates reflect information available at the time of update; confirm with the Nevada Department of Taxation or with us.