Start a Nevada Corporation

Step 1: Name Your Nevada Corporation

Choosing your company’s name is exciting, and it should be because it will be the foundation of your brand. But the process of naming your business may involve more paperwork than you think.

According to Nevada law, a corporation name “must be distinguishable” from others filed with the Nevada Secretary of State’s office. The first step is to perform a business entity search to check for trademarks, fictitious firm names, service marks, reserved names, and licenses registered in the state of Nevada.

 Name Requirements for a Nevada Corporation

Most states require a corporation to have a “designator” in its name.

Using a Natural Person in the Name

A designator is a word or abbreviation that indicates it’s a corporation, such as “Inc.” Nevada only requires this when “a name appearing to be that of a natural person and containing a given name or initials” serves as a corporation name. In other words, a corporation called “John Doe” is required to have an additional word like “Incorporated,” “Limited,” “Inc.,” “Ltd.,” “Company,” “Co.,” “Corporation,” “Corp.,” etc. to indicate that it isn’t a person.

Professional Terms

You need approval for the state of Nevada if you use certain words indicating a licensed profession in your business name. Examples include “architect,” “engineer,” “registered interior designer,” “accountant,” “auditor,” “community association,” and “homeowners’ association.” See NRS 78.045 or the restricted word list for more details.

If you’re not ready to file your Articles of Incorporation but want to ensure your business name is available, you can choose to reserve it. To do so, you can file online or by mail for a $25 fee. This will hold your name for 90 days. 

DBA Names

If you intend to do business under a name other than your corporation’s legal name in Nevada, you’re required to apply for an assumed or fictitious name, known in some states as a “doing business as” (DBA) name. You’ll need to file your DBA name with the county clerk in each county where you conduct business. The forms and fees will vary by county.

Trademarks are another factor to consider when deciding on your corporation’s name. Even if you don’t want to seek your own trademark, you’ll still want to make sure no one else has trademarked your desired name.

Trademarks

People can hold trademarks at state and federal levels. The business search mentioned above will also search for trademarked business names in Nevada. You can look into getting a state trademark of your own here.

A trademark like this applies only within the borders of a state, but it’s generally easier and less expensive than seeking a federal trademark. A trademark search with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) can alert you as to any federal trademarks on your name. 

Step 2: Appoint Directors

Directors and officers run corporations. The board of directors makes major business and policy decisions, while the officers supervise the company’s day-to-day activities. Shareholders are people who own shares in the company. During incorporation, one person can be a shareholder, director, and an officer at the same time.

The state requires at least one initial director for incorporation. A director has to be a natural person, not a company, who’s at least 18 years of age and, unless specified in the Articles of Incorporation, does not have to be a shareholder.

The initial director is named in the Articles of Incorporation or appointed at the organizational meeting. An incorporator’s statement is prepared and filed with the corporate records to put this action in motion. The appointed directors will then hold a meeting to elect officers, decide on stock structures, and wrap up the requirements for filing.

Step 3: Choose a Nevada Registered Agent

A corporation is required to designate a registered agent to receive all legal documents, such as service of process. It is required that all registered agents be a resident of Nevada or part of a business authorized to operate in Nevada.

This person must have a physical address in Nevada; a P.O. box is not sufficient. The corporation’s owners can also act as their own registered agent.  In Nevada, your registered agent has to sign and submit an acceptance form with your Articles of Incorporation when you file.

Choosing a registered agent is an important decision, as the consequences of missing or mismanaged corporate documents can be dire. That’s why it’s recommended hiring a professional service, so you can get back to running your business.

Step 4: File the Nevada Articles of Incorporation

A corporation is officially formed when the Articles of Incorporation are filed with the Secretary of State. They refer to the contract between the state, the corporation, and its shareholders.

The Articles of Incorporation must include the following:

• Name of the corporation
• Names and addresses of incorporators
• Names and addresses of directors
• Name, address, and signature of registered agent
• List of the company’s officers
• Authorized stocks and par value if applicable
• Initial list of officers and state business license application 
• Registered agent acceptance form

The form also asks you about the type of corporation you wish to form. This article is primarily devoted to starting a for-profit domestic (in-state) corporation (NRS 78), but this same form is also used for foreign (out-of-state) corporations (NRS 80), professional corporations (NRS 89), and close corporations (NRS 78A). 

Corporation Shares

Corporations issue shares to raise capital. A business cannot be a corporation without issuing at least one share of stock to one shareholder. Public companies trade their shares in the stock exchange. Private corporations are typically owned by a small number of people; the company issues shares to a limited number of shareholders who may or may not participate in the management of the corporation.

Associated Fees

You can file the Articles of Incorporation online with a fee determined by the total number of authorized shares stated in the document. You will pay at least $75. The full fee structure is listed on the form.

Along with the fee and form for the Articles of Incorporation, you’ll also be submitting the Initial List and State Business License Application, which has its own fees. The initial list is $150, and the business license fee is $500. There’s also a $60 fee for the statement appointing the registered agent.

If you’d rather file by mail, you may send your Articles of Incorporation and the other documents to:

Secretary of State 

New Filings Division 

202 North Carson Street 

Carson City, NV 89701-4201

To ensure a timely, accurate, and error-free filing, partner with ZenBusiness for your incorporation needs. We have different formation plans that can be personalized to your business needs. 

Step 5: Create Corporate Bylaws

The bylaws are somewhat of an extension of the Articles of Incorporation tailored to the business’s management. The incorporators or the initial directors may prepare the company bylaws. It is an official company document that will be signed by the founders and filed to the corporate record.

Bylaws may include the:

• Purpose of the business
• Description of management structure
• Date, place, and time of directors’ meetings
• Date, place, and time of shareholders’ meetings
• Total number of directors and the manner of their appointment
• Rules regarding the appointment of nominee officers
• Duties and responsibilities of the board of directors
• Duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of company officers
• Procedures for resolving internal disputes
• Rules for amending the bylaws

The company bylaws are not filed with the state of Nevada. It’s also not legally required by the state. But having one is strongly recommended because it helps the business function internally with ease. 

Step 6: Draft a Shareholder Agreement

The shareholder agreement contains the rights and responsibilities of all stockholders. Some things you may want to include in the agreement are:

• The names and detailed contact information of all shareholders
• Shareholder voting rights and a description of what constitutes a majority vote
• How stocks are sold or transferred
• Any restrictions on sales to new shareholders
• How changes to the shareholder agreement are made
• A description of how dividends are distributed
• A plan for the distribution of assets if the business closes

The shareholder agreement can be created from a template. But as it is an official corporate document, it is recommended you get assistance from experienced professionals who can help you draft an agreement suited to your business. 

Step 7: Issue Shares of Stock

Corporations are required to issue shares of stock. However, a lot of considerations must be made before a company can issue shares of stock. Some of the things you should know include:

• The authorized number of shares: Authorized shares are the maximum number of shares that your corporation is allowed to issue. This information is also included in the Articles of Incorporation.
• Types of stock to issue: There are two main types of stocks, common and preferred. Common shareholders have voting rights in the corporation. Preferred shareholders receive dividends prior to common shareholders, but they typically don’t have voting rights. 
• Classes of shares: A company can also decide to issue different classes or series of shares. Different classes grant shareholders different voting rights. For example, shares issued to shareholders during incorporation may account for five votes per share, while subsequent issues only allow one vote per share. 

Besides the fact that issuing shares of stock has a huge financial impact on your business, it is also regulated by the Nevada Revised Statutes and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). 

To protect investors, these departments require that a business provide:

• Relevant information about the shares being offered for sale
• A description of the company’s assets and businesses
• Audited financial statements

These requirements will vary based on whether you are offering shares privately or publicly.

Step 8: Apply for Necessary Business Permits or Licenses

If you are going to launch a Nevada corporation, you must have a state business license, which costs $500. This can be filed through the state’s online portal, by mail, fax, or in person at the Carson City or Las Vegas office. As stated above, you’ll submit your business license application along with your Articles of Incorporation.

The business license must be renewed for $500 every year on the last day of the anniversary month in which your license was originally filed. 

Additional Licensing Considerations

• You may need to license your company with the city and or county where it’s based and in every city and/or county where it operates.
• Your local government may require a general business license in addition to the state license, as well as other licenses and permits depending on your industry.
• Businesses involving spas, liquor stores, and restaurants are subject to extensive state and local licensing.

Check applicable local business licenses you might need on the state’s Department of Business and Industry website.

Applying for necessary business permits or licenses requires time and diligence because requirements for businesses vary depending on the industry and location. You’ll need to conduct research to determine what federal, state, and local licensing your company needs.

Step 9: File for an EIN and Review Tax Requirements

To start a corporation in Nevada, you’ll need an Employer Identification Number (EIN). You can apply for an EIN by mail, fax, or online. The EIN is the number the IRS uses to identify businesses for tax purposes. It also enables the business to hire employees, open business accounts, or apply for loans. 

Although your corporation will be responsible for federal taxes, Nevada has neither a corporate nor personal state income tax. However, all Nevada employers must pay a modified business tax. In addition, if your business earns more than $4 million in gross revenue per year, you’ll be subject to a commerce tax. 

There are other various taxes imposed on businesses operating in Nevada, such as a live entertainment tax, sales and use tax, and excise tax. 

Step 10: Submit Your Corporation’s First Report

Nevada requires corporations to file an annual report or, as Nevada calls it, an “annual list.” It should include the:

• Corporation name
• Nevada Business Identification Number
• Names and addresses of all officers and directors

This can be done online, by fax, in person, or through the mail by filling out a downloadable form and sending it to the Secretary of State. To avoid penalties, submissions should be received by the last day of the company’s anniversary month.