Start an LLC in Nebraska with Inc Authority

Choosing your Nebraska LLC name is an important step. Your business name should be unique, available, and include the phrase “Limited Liability Company” or its abbreviations, “LLC” or “L.L.C.” per the Nebraska LLC naming guidelines. 

You can check if your desired name is available by searching the Nebraska Secretary of State’s business entity database. Ensure that your chosen LLC name is relevant to your business and easy to remember for your customers.

After finalizing your LLC name, you can visit the Nebraska Secretary of State’s website to reserve it for 120 days with a filing fee of $15. This helps prevent others from claiming the name while you complete the LLC formation process.

In addition to reserving your business name, you can secure a domain name that matches it by purchasing it from a reputable domain registrar. This will be your website address and should be identical or very similar to your LLC name.

Every limited liability company in Nebraska is required to have a registered agent. This can be an individual or organization that agrees to receive legal documents on behalf of your LLC, such as legal notices and regular reports.

The registered agent can be a member of the LLC, a manager, or even yourself if you live in Nebraska, have a permanent physical address there, and will always be available to receive legal documents during regular business hours.

Nebraska doesn’t have different LLC types, but there are some variations you can consider during formation that impact how your LLC is managed. If you’re the sole owner, you’ll establish a single-member LLC in Nebraska. 

If there are multiple founders, you’ll create a multi-member LLC. The number of members you choose won’t impact the filing process, but it will influence how profits, losses, and voting rights are divided within your Nebraska LLC.

While not required by Nebraska law, creating an Operating Agreement for your Nebraska LLC is strongly recommended. This document acts as a rulebook for your business, outlining the rights and responsibilities of each LLC member. 

You can specify details like voting rights, ownership percentage, and the process for admitting new members. Since all expectations are outlined in this document, it can help prevent conflicts and disagreements between LLC members. 

The Certificate of Organization officially establishes your LLC with the state. You must file it with the Nebraska Secretary of State to register your LLC. You can file online with $100, or by mail with a fee slightly higher at $110. 

The certificate will require information about your LLC, and the name and address of your registered agent. If your LLC offers professional services, you should list the profession your members or employees are licensed for in Nebraska.

The state of Nebraska requires all LLCs to publish a notice of their launch in a local newspaper. You can find a list of approved legal newspapers on the county clerk’s website or by contacting the Secretary of State’s office.

The Notice of Organization must be published once a week for three consecutive weeks. Once it’s done, the newspaper will provide you with proof of publication, which you’ll submit to the Secretary of State with a filing fee of $10.

An IRS employer identification number functions like a social security number for your business, identifying it for tax purposes. A Nebraska company needs to acquire an EIN if it has more than one member or if you plan to hire employees. 

Even if your LLC is a single-member entity and you don’t have employees, an EIN is needed to open a business bank account. You can apply for it online through the IRS website or by postal mail by completing Form SS-4 with no filing fees.

It’s highly recommended to keep your personal and business finances separate. With a dedicated account, you can track business income and expenses easily and establish a professional image when dealing with vendors or clients.

Opening a business bank account typically requires your Nebraska LLC Certificate of Organization and a tax identification number. Some banks also request additional documentation, so be sure to check with your chosen bank beforehand.

Many counties and cities in Nebraska have licensing requirements businesses have to meet before they can conduct business within the state. These licenses and permits can vary depending on your business activity and location. 

If you offer professional services, each member of your LLC involved in delivering the service may need a separate state professional license. Also, if you plan to sell goods or services within Nebraska, you’ll need a sales tax permit.

LLCs in Nebraska are considered pass-through business entities by the IRS. This means the business’s profits or losses pass through the LLC to the individual members and are reported on their personal income tax filings.

However, there is some flexibility in how a Nebraska LLC is taxed. You can elect to be taxed as a sole proprietorship or a corporation if that better suits you. This election is made by filing Form 2553 with the Internal Revenue Service.  

A DBA (Doing Business As) allows your LLC to operate under a name different from its officially registered name. This is optional but useful if your LLC name is lengthy or complex, or if you want to brand your business under a specific name.

You’ll need to submit an application with the Nebraska Secretary of State online for $100 or by mail for $110. Next, you have to publish a legal notice announcing your DBA in a local newspaper. A DBA registration is valid for ten years.

While this step is not mandatory for creating an LLC in Nebraska, a website can significantly benefit your Nebraska LLC. With a website, you can establish a credible online presence for your business and reach potential customers easily.

You can integrate social media links, online promotions, and even an ecommerce platform to facilitate direct sales. Use website design services that can help you create a user-friendly and optimized for your Nebraska LLC.

After forming an LLC in Nebraska,you must fulfil ongoing legal requirements you to keep your business in good standing. You’ll need to file biennial reports with the Nebraska Secretary of State by April 1st of odd-numbered years. 

These reports update your business information and keep the state informed of your LLC’s status.Taxes are also an important aspect of compliance. You’ll need to file income taxes for your business, and employer taxes if you have employees.

Inc Authority’s free business formation plan offers the following features to get you started:

• Name availability check: Inc Authority’s free name search tool verifies if your chosen LLC name complies with state regulations and isn’t already in use by another business. With this, you can expedite the formation process and prevent delays.

• 1-year registered agent services: The free plan includes a year of free registered agent service. An agent will receive legal documents and official notices on your LLC’s behalf ensuring your business maintains compliance and receives essential communication.

• Free Certificate of Organization filing: With the free plan, Inc Authority’s team of experts handles the preparation and filing of your LLC’s Certificate of Organization with the Nebraska Secretary of State, ensuring it’s completed accurately and efficiently.

• Digital storage for documents: You’ll have access to a secure online portal to organize and keep important business documents like your LLC Operating Agreement, Certificate of Organization, and financial reports for your limited liability company readily accessible.

• Tax planning consultation: Inc Authority’s free plan offers a limited tax planning consultation to get you started. This consultation will help you understand the basic tax structures for LLCs and go through the initial steps of tax planning for your Nebraska business. 

• S-Corp election and filing: If you meet specific criteria, you can opt for the S-corporation status for your LLC using the assistance offered by Inc Authority with its free plan. You’ll receive guidance and assistance to complete the S-corp filing process.

• Business credit and funding analysis: With the free plan, you’ll get basic business funding analysis to assess your financing needs and explore potential funding options. This analysis can provide a starting point for your Nebraska business funding plan.

With the features available on the free plan, you can form your LLC in Nebraska in no time. However, the paid plans are preferable for premium and personalized services.

Price: Free

In addition to the basic features, the Starter plan offers the following premium features: 

• LLC operating agreement: A well-crafted LLC operating agreement is important to outline the rights and responsibilities of each LLC member. Inc Authority will provide you with an LLC operating agreement template you can customize. It also offers assistance in creating a comprehensive Nebraska LLC operating agreement.

• Employer Identification Number: An EIN is essential for opening business bank accounts, hiring employees, and filing business taxes. With the Starter plan, you do not have to handle the application process yourself, which saves you a lot of time. A team of professionals handles it and streamlines the process of obtaining an EIN for your LLC.

• Corporate forms and documents package: The Starter package includes a comprehensive library of Nebraska-compliant corporate forms and documents to simplify various business tasks. This includes templates for contracts, reports, and other essential documents to maintain accurate records and ensure proper procedures are followed.

• Personalized Tax Consultation: This goes beyond the limited tax planning consultation the free plan offers. Inc Authority Starter plan includes a consultation with a qualified tax professional to discuss your specific business situation and answer your questions regarding federal and state tax filing obligations for your LLC in Nebraska.

• Compliance notifications: Inc Authority can help you stay on top of important deadlines and filing requirements with timely compliance notifications. With the Starter package, you’ll be informed about upcoming annual reports, tax filing dates, and other events to ensure your LLC remains compliant with Nebraska regulations.

• Web domain + 5 business email addresses: With this plan, you can establish a strong online presence for your Nebraska LLC. It includes a custom web domain name and access to create up to 5 professional business email addresses. This allows you to project a credible image and connect with customers through a dedicated communication channel.

Price: Custom

The Fasttrack plan offers the following in addition to what you’ll get on the Starter plan:

• Customer success advisor: You’ll have access to a dedicated customer success advisor who serves as your point of contact for all your LLC formation and compliance needs. With this plan, you’ll benefit from proactive support, with your advisor anticipating your needs and keeping you informed throughout the LLC formation process.

• Private banking specialist: This plan allows you to work directly with a private banking specialist to explore business banking solutions tailored to your Nebraska LLC. You’ll also receive guidance on banking services including online banking and others to streamline your financial operations, giving your LLC a financial head start.

• Personalized business advisory: This is one of the standout features of the Fasttrack plan. You’ll benefit from consultations with business experts in different fields who understand the Nebraska business landscape. These experts and advisors can provide you with strategic guidance on business development tailored to your industry.

• Expedited preparation & filing: The Fastrack plan shortens the wait time for your LLC formation process. You’ll enjoy priority service from Inc Authority’s team of experts, ensuring expedited preparation and filing of your Nebraska LLC formation documents within the same day. With faster processing, you can launch your Nebraska LLC sooner.

The Fasttrack plan is ideal if you want to get your LLC up and running sooner and have a dedicated team by your side. Although it’s the highest-tier plan, the high-touch and dedicated services the plan offers are worth the extra pay.