<< Previous Page

Doing Business In Nevada
Business Start Up

 Business Start Up Checklist

Nevada Department of Taxation
1550 E. College Pkwy.
Carson City, NV 89706
Phone: (775) 687-4820
Fax: (775) 687-5981

4600 Kietzke Lane, Bldg. O, Suite 263
Reno, NV 89502
Phone: (775) 688-1295
Fax: (775) 688-1303

555 E. Washington Ave., Suite 1300
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone: (702) 486-2300
Fax: (702) 486-2373

850 Elm Street #2
Elko, NV 89803
Phone: (775) 738-8461
Fax: (775) 778-6814

Business License and Taxation Requirements
A business license is needed for each person, corporation, partnership, proprietorship, business association and any other similar organization that conducts an activity for profit, including an independent contractor or sole proprietor. A trade show or convention held in this state in which a business previously described takes part, or in which a person who conducts such a business attends, for a purpose related to the conduct of the business also needs a business license. Detailed information on the business license application process and taxation rates may be obtained at the Department of Taxation web page.

You may obtain an application form from the Nevada Department of Taxation office nearest you, or you may click on Nevada Department of Taxation above to locate and download forms.

Select Local Business License Offices
A local business license is required to operate a business in nearly all cities, most counties, and many other locations. This is in addition to the State Business License. Please contact the appropriate business license office to determine the specific licensing requirements. The Nevada Business Registration Form available from the Department of Taxation may be used to apply for a local business license as well. Contact your local government office(s), or you may find the applicable office(s) in the limited list below:


Washoe County
1001 E. 9th Street
Reno, NV 89512
Phone: (775) 328-3733
Fax: (775) 328-3648

Clark County
500 S. Grand Central Pkwy.
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone: (702) 455-4252
Fax: (702) 386-2168
Toll Free: (800-328-4813)

City of Reno
490 S. Center, Rm. 111
Reno, NV 89501
Phone: (775) 334-2090
Fax: (775) 334-2049

City of Sparks
431 Prater Way
Sparks, NV 89432
Phone: (775) 353-2360
Fax: (775) 353-7802

City of Las Vegas
400 Stewart Avenue, Rm. 107
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone: (702) 229-6281
Fax: (702) 382-6642

City of Henderson
240 Water Street #108
Henderson, NV 89015
Phone: (702) 565-2045
Fax: (702) 568-5603

City of North Las Vegas
2266 Civic Center Drive
N. Las Vegas, NV 89030
Phone: (702) 633-1520
Fax: (702) 649-6091

City of Carson City
201 N. Carson Street, Suite 5
Carson City, NV 89701
Phone: (702) 887-2092
Fax: (775) 887-2139

City of Boulder City
401 California Street
Boulder City, NV 89006
Phone: (702) 293-9219
Fax: (702) 293-9392

City of Mesquite
10 E. Mesquite Blvd.
Mesquite, NV 89024
Phone: (702) 346-5295
Fax: (702) 346-5382

Internal Revenue Service Employer Identification Number
4750 W. Oakey Boulevard
Las Vegas, NV 89102
Phone: (800) 829-1040
675 W. Moana Lane
Reno, NV 89509
Phone: (800) 829-1040

Every partnership or corporation must have an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to use as its taxpayer number. Sole proprietors must also have an EIN if they pay wages to one or more employees or if they are required to file any excise tax returns.
County Assessor’s Office

Nevada tax laws require all persons, firms, or businesses owning, renting, leasing, or controlling business personal property to file a Business Personal Property Declaration Form. Please contact your city or county government office for more information.
Worker’s Compensation Insurance

State of Nevada Department of Business and Industry
Division of Insurance
788 Fairview Drive #300
Carson City, NV 89702
Phone: (775) 687-4270
Fax: (775) 687-3937

2501 E. Sahara Avenue #302
Las Vegas, NV 89158
Phone: (702) 486-4009
Fax: (702) 486-4007

Every business that employs anyone must by law, obtain workers compensation insurance coverage unless that entity is certified by the Commissioner of Insurance as a self-insured employer.

Employment Security Division
3697-D Kings Row
(Viewcrest Center)
Reno, NV 89503
Phone: (775) 684-1914
Fax: (775) 684-1924

1830 E. Sahara Avenue #313
Las Vegas, NV 89104
Phone: (702) 486-0250
Fax: (702) 486-8226

Any business that employs one or more workers is an "employing unit" and must register with the Nevada Unemployment Compensation Program. Registration is made by submitting a Nevada Business Registration Form to the employment security division as soon as workers are hired.

Immigration & Naturalization Service
1351 Corporate Blvd.
Reno, NV 89502
Phone: (800) 375-5283
3373 Pepper Lane
Las Vegas, NV 89120
Phone: (800) 375-5283
Forms Request Line 1-800-870-FORM

Every employer is required, within 72 hours of hiring a new employee, to maintain a completed, signed, witnessed, and dated I-9 Form for each employee.

Internal Revenue Service
300 Booth Street
Reno, NV 89502
Phone: (800) 829-1040
4750 W. Oakey Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89102
Phone: (800) 829-1040
To receive "Your Business Tax Kit", call 1-800-TAX-FORM

Every employee hired is to complete a W-4 Form so that the employer can withhold the proper amount of income tax from each paycheck. Any change in the employee's tax status requires a new form.

State Labor Commission
1445 Hot Springs Road, Ste. 109
Carson City, NV 89710
Phone: (775) 687-4850
Fax: (775) 687-6409

555 E. Washington Avenue, Suite 4100
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone: (702) 486-2650
Fax: (702) 486-2660

All employers must comply with Nevada's Labor Statutes and must post a sign explaining these laws at the place of business.

Secretary of State
Capital Building
101 N. Carson St., Suite 3
Carson City, NV 89701
Phone: (775) 687-5203
Fax: (775) 687-3471
Document on demand directory: 1-800-583-9486

Businesses interested in incorporating, along with non-Nevada businesses seeking permission to do business in Nevada, should register with the Secretary of State’s Office. The Secretary of State’s office handles commercial recordings (incorporation), securities, notaries, and election information.

Select Zoning Offices
The applicable city or county zoning ordinances should be checked to ensure that the desired location is zoned for the proposed type of business before buying or leasing property. For home-based businesses, please verify if a Home Occupation Permit will be required. Contact your local government office(s), or you may find the applicable zoning office(s) in the limited list below:

Washoe County
Dept. of Development Review
1001 E. 9th Street
P.O. Box 11130
Reno, NV 89520
Phone: (775) 328-6100
Fax: (775) 328-3648

Clark County
500 S. Grand Central Pkwy.
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone: (702) 455-4314
Fax: (702) 455-3271

City of Reno
Community Development Dept.
450 Sinclair Street
P.O. Box 1900
Reno, NV 89505
Phone: (775)334-2063
Fax: (775) 334-2043

City of Sparks
Community Development Dept.
1675 E. Prater Way #107
Sparks, NV 89434
Phone: (775)353-2338
Fax: (775) 353-1608

City of Las Vegas
731 S. 4th Street
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone: (702) 229-6301
Fax: (702) 385-7268

City of Henderson
240 Water Street
Henderson, NV 89015
Phone: (702) 565-2474
Fax: (702) 564-0686

City of North Las Vegas
2266 Civic Center Drive
N. Las Vegas, NV 89030
Phone: (702) 633-1537
Fax: (702) 649-6091

City of Carson City
201 N. Carson Street
Carson City, NV 89701
Phone: (702) 887-2092
Fax: (775) 887-2139

City of Boulder City
401 California Street
Boulder City, NV 89006
Phone: (702) 293-9282
Fax: (702) 293-9392

City of Mesquite
10 E. Mesquite Blvd.
Mesquite, NV 89024
Phone: (702) 346-2835
Fax: (702) 346-5382

Using a Fictitious Name
A fictitious name/dba certificate is required for all businesses that plan to use a name different than their legal or corporate name. It is best to check with the County Clerk’s office where your business is located to determine if the fictitious name desired is available.

Liquor & Gaming Licenses
State of Nevada Gaming Control Board
1919 E. College Pkwy
Carson City, NV 89706
Phone: (775) 684-7700
Fax: (775) 687-5187

555 E. Washington Avenue Suite 2600
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone: (702) 486-2008

To operate a liquor business, a State and local business license must be obtained, along with a liquor license from the applicable local jurisdiction. For gaming businesses, an application must be made with both the local jurisdiction and the State of Nevada Gaming Control Board.