Deal alert! Northwest will form your LLC for $39 (60% discount). See details.
Starting an LLC in Nebraska comes with more costs than just filing the initial paperwork. But it doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think.
We explain all of the initial and ongoing Nebraska LLC cost details below, as well as give you tips on how to save money.
How much does an LLC cost in Nebraska?
It costs $100 to form an LLC in Nebraska. This is a fee paid for the Certificate of Organization.
You’ll file this form with the Nebraska Secretary of State. And once approved, your LLC will go into existence.
Need to save time? Hire a company to form your LLC:
Northwest ($39 + state fee) or LegalZoom ($149 + state fee)
(Learn why Northwest is #1 in Northwest vs LegalZoom)
In addition to this LLC filing fee, there are other costs to be aware of when forming a Nebraska LLC (Limited Liability Company).
Costs to forming a Nebraska LLC
There is a $100 one-time state filing fee to form a Nebraska LLC. This is the fee for online filing.
Note: If you file your Nebraska LLC by mail, it costs $110 instead.
There are also ongoing fees (like a $13 Biennial Report fee and potential business license fees), which we discuss below.
LLC Costs in Nebraska
| Requirement | Cost |
|---|---|
| LLC Name | $0 |
| Registered Agent | $0 or $125 per year |
| Certificate of Organization | $100 |
| Operating Agreement | $0 (free on our site) |
| EIN Number | $0 (free through IRS) |
| Publication Requirement | $50 - $250 |
| Biennial Report | $13 (every 2 years) |
| Taxes | varies (filed and/or paid every year) |
Nebraska LLC Certificate of Organization Filing Fee ($100)
Starting an LLC costs $100 in Nebraska. This is the state filing fee for a document called the Nebraska Certificate of Organization.
The Certificate of Organization is filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State. And once approved, this is what creates your LLC.
The $100 fee is a one-time fee. You don’t have to pay any monthly (or annual) fees to start your Nebraska LLC.
Note: LLCs are the most common business structure used in Nebraska. They are the most popular business entity because they offer liability protection for the LLC owners.
Depending on the state, the Certificate of Organization form is sometimes called a Certificate of Formation or the Articles of Organization. Articles of Organization is the most common name, but Certificate of Organization is the name used in Nebraska. Don’t worry – they all mean the same thing: the form used to create your LLC.
Nebraska LLC Notice of Organization publishing cost (varies)
Nebraska requires you to publish a Notice of Organization in a legal newspaper. The Nebraska Publication Requirement applies to all LLCs formed in the state.
The cost of publishing the Notice varies because each newspaper sets its own fees. Typically the cost ranges from $40 to $250, depending on which newspaper you use.
Although the fee varies, the Nebraska LLC publication requirement is mandatory for all LLCs.
Nebraska LLC Proof of Publication filing ($27)
After your Notice of Organization is published in the legal newspaper, you must submit the Proof of Publication to the Secretary of State. You’ll receive the Proof of Publication from the newspaper, and then you’ll either mail or upload it to the Secretary of State.
- If you mail your Proof of Publication, the fee is $30.
- If you upload your Proof of Publication online, the fee is $27.
Nebraska business name cost ($0)
Naming your Limited Liability Company doesn’t cost anything. Your Nebraska LLC Name is approved (at no extra cost) when your Certificate of Organization filing is approved by the state.
You may have read online that LLC Name Reservations are required. However, this is not true in most states. Nebraska doesn’t require a Name Reservation to form an LLC. There’s no extra form to file or additional fee to pay. Simply enter your desired LLC name when you file the Certificate of Organization.
How much does a DBA cost? ($100)
A DBA is filed with the state or the county. In Nebraska, a DBA for your LLC is filed with the state.
A Nebraska LLC DBA costs $100 if you file online. If you file by mail, the fee is $110. However, this is not a required fee because a DBA is optional.
Note: A DBA is sometimes called a Trade Name, Fictitious Name, Assumed Name or Fictitious Business Name. They all mean the same thing.
Tip: You aren’t required to get a DBA for your LLC. It’s optional. For more information, read our article: Do I need a DBA?
Nebraska Registered Agent Fee ($0 or $125/year)
Nebraska law requires that you designate a Registered Agent when forming your LLC.
A Nebraska Registered Agent is a person or company who receives legal documents and state notices for your LLC. A Registered Agent needs a street address in the state and should generally be available during normal business hours.
There is no additional cost if you will be your own Registered Agent, or have someone you know be your LLC’s Registered Agent. This could be one of your business partners, or a friend or family member.
However, you have the option of hiring a Registered Agent service. This will cost you between $100 to $300 per year. But Registered Agent service companies offer other helpful business services and can protect your privacy.
Hiring a Registered Agent service is a good idea if:
- You don’t have an address in the state (Nebraska law requires Registered Agents to have a physical address in the state)
- You want to keep your address off public record (depending on which company you hire, you may be able to use their address to keep your address private)
Special offer: Hire Northwest to form your LLC ($39 + state fee), and you'll get a free year of Registered Agent service.
(Why is Northwest the best? Read our Northwest Registered Agent review)
LLC Operating Agreement Fee ($0)
A Nebraska LLC Operating Agreement is a written contract between the LLC Members. Operating Agreements include detailed information about LLC ownership, how the LLC is managed, and how profits are distributed.
Single-Member LLCs and Multi-Member LLCs should draft an Operating Agreement, keep it with their business records, and give a copy to each Member.
Most websites charge $50 to $200 for LLC Operating Agreements.
Here at LLC University®, we offer free LLC Operating Agreement templates for all types of LLCs.
LLC EIN Number Fee ($0)
An EIN Number is also known as an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN).
This number is used to file income taxes, to open an LLC bank account, and to hire employees (if applicable).
Although many websites charge a service fee to get an EIN for your LLC, it can actually be done for free.
You can obtain an EIN for your LLC from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at no cost. The online filing can be completed in a few minutes.
Nebraska LLC Biennial Report Fee ($13 every 2 years)
Nebraska requires you to keep your LLC’s information up to date by filing a Biennial Report every 2 years.
This keeps your Nebraska LLC in good standing and in compliance with state law so it can continue operating. You simply confirm the information on the Biennial Report, file it with the Nebraska Secretary of State, and pay the Biennial Report fee.
The Nebraska LLC Biennial Report costs $13. This fee is paid every other year for the life of your LLC.
Nebraska Business License and Permit Fees (varies)
Depending on where your LLC does business in Nebraska and the industry you’re in, you may need to obtain additional Business Licenses or Permits. For example, you may need to get a City Business Permit.
The costs for these other business licenses or permits will vary depending on location and industry, but usually the fees are not very high. Some licenses and permits are issued at the state level, and others are issued by a municipality (the town, city, or county).
LLC Taxes (varies)
There are many different types of Nebraska LLC taxes that owners must pay, so this annual cost varies widely.
Some of the taxes LLC owners pay include:
- Federal taxes
- State income tax
- Local income tax
- Business taxes
- Self-employment taxes
- Sales and use tax
- Payroll tax (if you have employees)
- Property tax (if the LLC owns property)
Your Nebraska LLC taxes depend on your industry and amount of business activity, so we’re not able to provide an estimate. Every business is different, and your specific circumstances determine what taxes apply to your LLC.
Check with the Nebraska Department of Revenue for more information about the Nebraska franchise tax and how LLCs pay taxes in the state.
Note: By default, a Single-Member LLC is taxed like a Sole Proprietorship. And a Multi-Member LLC is taxed like a Partnership.
Hiring an Accountant
How much your small business pays in taxes is best determined by working with a qualified accountant in Nebraska.
The amount you’ll pay your accountant will vary. However, most accountants will charge $300 per year for a simple tax return, or up to $900 for more detailed filings.
Note: We recommend speaking with a few accountants in Nebraska to make sure they can help you meet all of your federal, state, and local tax obligations. We offer detailed tips on How to Find an Accountant.
Nebraska Secretary of State
If you have any questions about the cost of opening a Nebraska LLC, you can contact the Business Services Division of the Nebraska Secretary of State.
(Nebraska Secretary of State, Business Services Division Building)
Nebraska LLC Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to open an LLC in Nebraska?
It costs $100 to start a Nebraska LLC. This is a one-time filing fee for the LLC Certificate of Organization when filed online. If you file the Certificate of Organization by mail instead, it costs a little more: $110.
Some LLCs may need a business license in Nebraska. This depends on your industry and where your LLC is located. The cost of local business permits varies. And depending on what your LLC does, you may need to obtain business insurance.
How much does an LLC in Nebraska cost per year?
If you hired a Registered Agent service, you’ll have an annual subscription fee to pay each year. This is usually about $125 per year.
Some LLCs may need a business license in Nebraska. This depends on your industry and where your LLC is located. You’ll need to check with your municipality to see if there are any annual renewal fees for the business permit.
All Nebraska LLCs need to pay $13 every other year for the Nebraska Biennial Report fee. These state fees are paid to the Secretary of State. And this is the only state-required fee, which you pay every 2 years. You have to pay this to keep your LLC in good standing.
Should I hire an LLC formation service?
You aren’t required to hire a professional service company to form your Nebraska LLC. You’re allowed to complete the LLC formation process yourself if you’d like – you can form your own LLC.
However, if you want to save time and make sure your LLC is filed correctly, we recommend hiring Northwest Registered Agent.
Northwest Registered Agent has excellent customer service and they include Registered Agent services free for the 1st year. They also offer other services, like an Operating Agreement and filing your Biennial Report.
Check out Best LLC Services for more suggestions.
Do I need to hire an attorney to form an LLC?
No, you aren’t required to hire an attorney to form your LLC in Nebraska. You’re allowed to form your LLC yourself if you’d like.
However, some people may want to hire an attorney if their LLC has a complex ownership or management structure, has investors, or requires industry-specific documentation.
A business attorney usually charges between $800 and $2,500 to form an LLC.
How do I start an LLC in Nebraska?
Here are the steps to starting an LLC in Nebraska:
- Choose an LLC business name and make sure it’s available
- Choose who will be your Nebraska Registered Agent
- File the Nebraska Certificate of Organization
- Publish a Notice of Organization in the newspaper, and submit a Proof of Publication
- Complete and sign an LLC Operating Agreement
- Get a Tax ID Number (EIN) from the IRS
- Open an LLC bank account
- Check whether you need a business or sales tax license in Nebraska
What’s the cheapest way to start an LLC?
You can get an LLC cheaply by filing your formation documents yourself. You’ll also save money by being your own Registered Agent, and using our free LLC Operating Agreement template.
By forming your LLC yourself, being your own Registered Agent, and using our Operating Agreement template you can save over $400.
How long does it take to get an LLC in Nebraska?
How long it takes to get an LLC in Nebraska depends on how you file your Certificate of Organization.
You can get an LLC in Nebraska approved in 2-3 business days if you file online. On the other hand, filing by mail takes about 2-3 business days (plus mail time).
How much does a Nebraska business bank account cost?
It varies. Some banks charge monthly fees ($10 to $20 per month), but these can sometimes be avoided by meeting certain requirements. For example, if you make a certain number of direct deposits or maintain a specified minimum balance, then they’ll waive the monthly fees.
And you might be able to find a bank that doesn’t charge any monthly fees.
Before you open your LLC business bank account, we recommend calling and asking if there are ways to avoid the monthly maintenance fees.
How much is a Foreign LLC in Nebraska?
A Foreign LLC is an LLC formed in another state that must register (aka Foreign Qualify) in Nebraska. This is because the LLC is doing business in both states.
The Nebraska Foreign LLC cost is $120. This is the fee to register your LLC in Nebraska after it was formed in another state.
If you form an LLC in Nebraska, it is called a “Domestic LLC”. If you formed your LLC in another state, it would be a Foreign LLC once you register it in Nebraska.
Is Nebraska a good state for an LLC?
Yes, Nebraska is a great state to start a business. Nebraska doesn’t charge a state business license fee, has quick approval times and helpful representatives at the Secretary of State if you have questions.
However, the most important factors in deciding where to start a business are where you live and where you’re doing business.
Meaning, if you live in or do business in Nebraska, then you should start your business in Nebraska. While many websites talk about tax rates and advantages of certain states, none of that applies if it’s not the state where you live and do business. And just because a certain state has cheaper LLC fees doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to form your LLC there.
For example, if you form an LLC in Wyoming, but live in and conduct business in Nebraska, you’ll also need to register your Wyoming LLC in Nebraska (and pay fees). And you’ll end up paying Nebraska taxes anyway. This ends up leading to more costs and more headaches with no advantages.
In summary, if you are a Nebraska resident, then yes, Nebraska is the best state to form an LLC. If you don’t live in and do business in Nebraska, then no, Nebraska probably isn’t a good state to start an LLC.
References
Nebraska Secretary of State: New Business Information
Nebraska Secretary of State: Forms and Fee Information
Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in business from Drexel University with a concentration in business law. He performs extensive research and analysis to convert state laws into simple instructions anyone can follow to form their LLC - all for free! Read more about Matt Horwitz and LLC University.
Leave a comment or questionComments are temporarily disabled.