State law requires that every person or entity doing business in the State of Nevada obtain a business license annually. A business that meets the criteria shall not do business in the state of Nevada without the State Business License. Certain businesses may be exempt from the state business license requirement.

What constitutes “doing business” in Nevada?

Pursuant to Title 7 of the Nevada Revised Statutes and for the purposes of the State Business License, “business” means any person, except a natural person that performs a service or engages in a trade for profit, any natural person who performs a service or engages in a trade for profit and is required to file with the Internal Revenue Service a Schedule C (Form 1040) Profit or Loss from Business Form, a Schedule E (Form 1040) Supplemental Income and Loss Form, or a Schedule F (Form 1040) Profit or Loss From Farming Form, or any entity formed pursuant to Title 7 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, including, without limitation, those entities required to file with the Secretary of State.

What is the cost of a State Business License and when is it due?

The State Business License Fee is $200 and must be renewed annually.

For entities that are formed under NRS Title 7, the business license fee is due at the time an Initial List of Officers or Annual List of Officers is due. The State Business License Fee is in addition to the fees for the initial or annual list.

For Non-Title 7 businesses (NT7) such as sole proprietors and partnerships, the business license application is required as soon as you begin to conduct business in Nevada.

The first-time filing is called the Initial List. Following filings are called Annual Lists. The form is slightly different, but basically it asks for the same information (name of Resident Agent, company name, filing number, filing period, names and addresses of officers, directors or managers/members).

The Annual List MUST be filed by the last day of the anniversary month of the original filing. Example: If the entity filed on April. 15, 2010, the list must be filed by April 31 of each year. Postmark date is not accepted as receipt date in the Secretary of State’s office.

The first-time filing is called the Initial List. Following filings are called Annual Lists. The form is slightly different, but basically it asks for the same information (name of Resident Agent, company name, filing number, filing period, names and addresses of officers, directors or managers/members).

The Initial List MUST be filed on or before the last day of the first month following incorporation/initial registration. The Secretary of State is strict, and filing late can cause a $75 penalty.