How Much Does an LLC Cost in Nebraska 

Nebraska LLC cost

Forming an LLC is a great way to legitimize your business and protect yourself from personal liability. But how much does forming an LLC in Nebraska cost?

The short answer is that forming a Nebraska LLC is both easier and more affordable than most people realize. While there are several different fees and expenses involved, most of them cost less than $100—and some of the more costly expenses can be avoided depending on how much of the process you are willing to do yourself.

In this article, we’ll go over all the individual expenses associated with forming an LLC in Nebraska to help you determine exactly how much it’s going to cost to get your new company up and running.

General steps and costs when forming a Nebraska LLC

There are several steps in the process of forming a Nebraska LLC, and most of these steps will entail a few expenses. We won’t go into too much detail on how to form a Nebraska LLC in this article. What we will do, however, is cover all the expenses that go along with each step.

To create a Nebraska LLC, here are the general steps and costs that are required:

Naming your Nebraska LLC

The first thing you will need to do when forming an LLC in Nebraska is to choose a name for your company. While you can name your company just about anything you want to, there are some guidelines that have to be followed. Perhaps the most important of these guidelines is choosing a name that is unique and not already taken by another company in the state.

The good news is that you can conduct a name search using the corporate and business search tool on the Nebraska Secretary of State’s website, and this tool is completely free to use. Once you’ve chosen a name and made sure it’s available, you can either move forward with filing your LLC or, if you aren’t ready to do that yet, you can reserve your business name for 120 days. The cost to reserve a business name in Nebraska is $30.

Filing articles of organization

This is the core step in forming a Nebraska LLC, and it involves submitting an articles of incorporation form to the Nebraska Secretary of State. This form can be submitted online or by mail, and it is designed to provide the state with details about your company such as its name, purpose, address, and more.

If you file articles of incorporation online, the filing fee is $100. If you choose to file by mail, the filing fee is $110.

Appointing a registered agent

A registered agent is someone who is designated to receive legal documents on behalf of your business, and every LLC in Nebraska is required to have one. You can serve as your own registered agent at no cost, or you can hire a registered agent service such as the one offered by Tailor Brands. The cost for professional services typically ranges from $100 to $300 per year.

Using a professional registered agent service can provide convenience and peace of mind, especially if you don’t have the time to manage official correspondence yourself. For this reason, most Nebraska business owners choose to appoint a registered agent rather than serving as their own.

Creating an operating agreement

Nebraska does not legally require LLCs to have an operating agreement, meaning that you are free to skip this step if you choose. However, creating an operating agreement is highly recommended, particularly for multi-member LLCs,

An operating agreement outlines the structure and management of your LLC, helping to avoid disputes between members. It also allows you to avoid being subject to Nebraska’s default rules for LLCs—which may not always be in the best interest of your business.

The cost to create an operating agreement for an LLC ranges from $0-$1,000, depending on whether you do it yourself or hire an attorney to create one for you. Tailor Brands also offers an operating agreement service that is an affordable and reliable option for Nebraska LLCs.

Other annual and additional Nebraska LLC costs

Once you’ve formed your company, the bulk of what an LLC in Nebraska costs will be out of the way, but there are a couple of additional expenses you’ll have to pay. These are:

Business licenses & permits

Depending on where your business is located and the nature of its operations, you may be required to obtain certain licenses and permits. The cost of these licenses varies depending on your city or county. In many cases, a general business license may cost less than $100, but some professional or industry-specific licenses could be more expensive.

Examples of companies that are typically required to obtain professional licenses and permits include ones like:

Be sure to check with your city and county government to see which licenses and permits your LLC will need and how much they are going to cost.

Biennial report

All LLCs in Nebraska are required to file a biennial report with the Nebraska Secretary of State. This report is due by April 1st of every odd-numbered year, and it is intended to keep the state updated on your company’s information. When you file your biennial report, you’ll have to pay a filing fee of $10.

What expenses you can write off

While forming an LLC in Nebraska can come with a number of expenses, the good news is that most of these expenses are tax-deductible, meaning that you’ll be able to offset some of your formation costs. LLC formation expenses that you can deduct from your federal taxes include:

Nebraska LLC costs – summary

Expense

Cost

LLC filing fee (articles of incorporation)

$100

Business licenses and permits

Varies by municipality ($50+)

Registered agent

$0-$300 per year

Reserve business name (optional)

$30

Filing a DBA (optional)

Varies

Operating Agreement (optional)

$0-$1,000

Biennial report

$10

Conclusion

So how much does an LLC in Nebraska cost? The answer can depend on several factors, including things like the licenses and permits you will need and who you hire to complete various parts of the process. But at Tailor Brands, we strive to make forming an LLC as easy and affordable as possible for Nebraska business owners.

FAQs

1How long does it take to form an LLC in Nebraska?

The processing time for forming an LLC in Nebraska varies, but online filings are typically processed within a few days, while mail filings may take longer.

2Do I need a registered agent in Nebraska?

Yes, Nebraska requires all LLCs to have a registered agent to receive legal documents on behalf of the business. You can act as your own registered agent, or you can hire a registered agent service to perform this role.

3Is an operating agreement required in Nebraska?

No, Nebraska does not legally require LLCs to have an operating agreement. However, even though it's not legally required, it's still a good idea to create one. Creating an operating agreement will establish rules and guidelines for your company that can be quite valuable in the event of disputes between members.

4Do I need a business license to operate my LLC in Nebraska?

While Nebraska doesn’t issue state-wide business licenses, many LLCs will need local licenses or permits. This includes things like general business licenses as well as more specific professional licenses/permits (for example, a real estate license). Be sure to check with your city or county to determine the exact licenses and permits your LLC will need.

5Can I reserve a business name in Nebraska before forming my LLC?

If you aren't ready to move forward with filing your Nebraska LLC but want to make sure that the name you've chosen will still be available when the time comes, you can reserve a business name through the Nebraska Secretary of State. Nebraska allows you to reserve a business name for up to 120, and the fee for doing this is $30.

6How much does it cost to file a DBA (Doing Business As) in Nebraska?

In Nebraska, the cost to file a DBA (Doing Business As), also known as a trade name, is $100. This filing is done through the Nebraska Secretary of State’s office. Additionally, the DBA registration must be renewed every 10 years for continued use of the trade name.

7Can I form an LLC in Nebraska online?

Yes, the entire process of forming an LLC in Nebraska can be completed online. This is not only a convenient option, but it can also speed up processing times compared to filing by mail. In Nebraska, filing articles of incorporation online is also $10 cheaper than the fee for mailed filings.