How to Start an LLC in Nebraska
Located in the Great Plains of the midwestern U.S., Nebraska is bordered by six other U.S. states. Its legislature is officially nonpartisan. The state is a major center of agricultural production.
For most business owners, the fastest and easiest way to start a business in Nebraska is by creating a Nebraska LLC. A limited liability company (LLC) is a type of business entity that’s ideal for startups and small- to medium-sized businesses. You get the advantages and protections of larger Nebraska corporations but with much simpler rules and regulations.
Briefly, the benefits of starting a Nebraska LLC include:
- Separating and limiting your personal liability from your business liability and debts
- Quick and simple filing, management, compliance, regulation and administration of your Nebraska LLC
- Easy tax filing and potential advantages for your tax treatment
Learn more about the benefits of the LLC business structure here.
Six Quick Steps to Filing an LLC in Nebraska
We’ve got lots of useful information on starting a business in NE. On this page you’ll find the basic steps of how to form a Nebraska LLC, with more in-depth content throughout the rest of our guide.
First, you need to gather basic information about your LLC, including the names and addresses of the managers or members. The LLC members are typically the people who own and run the business. They are also the ones who can take profits out of the business to pay themselves.
You will need a distinctive and original name for your Nebraska LLC that’s not used by any other business in NE. To find out if another company is using your chosen business name, carry out a Nebraska business entity name search on the NE Secretary of State website.
There are a few rules you’ll need to follow when choosing an LLC name. You can find out more in our guide to searching for and naming your Nebraska LLC.
Learn about Nebraska LLC Business Naming Rules.
Every Nebraska LLC must have a designated street address. That could be your home address (if you’re running the company from your residence), your company’s office building or any physical address of your preference. The address can be outside the state of Nebraska, but it cannot be a P.O. Box.
Every NE LLC must have a “Registered Agent.” This is an official position; the Registered Agent is someone who receives official legal and tax correspondence and has responsibility for filing reports with the Nebraska Secretary of State.
This position can be filled by you, another manager in the business or a dedicated Registered Agent service. Your NE Registered Agent must have a physical street address in Nebraska and must be present to receive important documents for your company during business hours.
At Incfile, all of our packages include a Nebraska Registered Agent service that is free for the first year and just $119 per year afterward. We also have a dashboard where you can log in and easily view any document your Registered Agent has received on your behalf.
Learn more about Nebraska Registered Agents.
You will need an EIN to identify your business to the IRS. You use this number when filing and paying taxes or when submitting payroll information and payments for your employees. You can obtain one directly from the IRS, or we can get one for you as part of the Nebraska LLC business formation process.
Once you've gathered all the information for your Nebraska LLC, you’ll need to file a formal document with the NE Secretary of State. This document is known as your “Certificate of Organization,” and filing the document creates your Nebraska LLC. Here’s what is typically included:
- Your business name and address
- Details of your Registered Agent
- Name of the incorporator
You can file your Nebraska LLC Certificate of Organization online, mail in a form or have Incfile do it on your behalf. There is a fee to file and start an LLC in Nebraska. You only need to file your Certificate of Organization once.
Form your LLC now
Review Information from the Nebraska Secretary of State
The NE Secretary of State has plenty of information on forming and running a business in Nebraska.
These are all the basic steps for forming an LLC in Nebraska. You’ll find other useful information below.
Special Types of Nebraska LLCs
A regular Nebraska LLC is suitable for most business needs, but you also have a few other options to incorporate a special type of LLC.
Some states, including Nebraska, allow certain occupations to form “Professional LLCs.” These types of businesses typically have special requirements and licensing. Nebraska does not specifically list the occupations that can form professional LLCs.
If your business is already operating in another state and expanding to Nebraska, you’ll need to form a foreign LLC.
More information on Nebraska filing and licensing requirements here
What to Do After Forming Your Nebraska LLC
Want to know your next steps after creating a new LLC in Nebraska? We’ve got you covered. Here’s our guide to understanding your ongoing requirements, setting up new bank accounts, protecting your business name, getting accounting in place and more.
Detailed Information for Your Nebraska LLC
You’ll find plenty more insight and guidance on the other pages of this guide, including:
Naming Your Nebraska LLC
How to search the Nebraska business registry of the NE Secretary of State and find the right name. Includes information on naming rules, fictitious names, reserving a Nebraska LLC name and more.
Nebraska Registered Agents
How to appoint a Nebraska Registered Agent to your new LLC or change to a different Registered Agent. Includes information on Registered Agent rules and searching for Nebraska Registered Agents.
Fees and Requirements for Nebraska LLCs
How to understand the various fees you’ll need to pay and the requirements you’ll need to meet for both federal and Nebraska rules. Includes details of Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), Nebraska and federal business licenses, Nebraska annual reports and more.
Federal, State, Sales and Other Taxes for Your Nebraska LLC
How to understand the various taxes you will need to pay to the federal and Nebraska government. Includes details of federal taxes like income and self-employment, and Nebraska taxes like sales tax and income tax.
