How to Start an LLC in Nebraska

A limited liability company (LLC for short) is a way to legally structure a business. It combines the limited liability of a corporation with the flexibility and lack of formalities provided by a partnership or sole proprietorship. Any business owner who seeks to limit his or her personal liability for business debts and lawsuits should consider forming an LLC.

Here are the steps you need to take to form an LLC in Nebraska. For more information on how to form an LLC in any state, see Nolo's article How to Form an LLC.

1. Choose a Name for Your LLC

Under Nebraska law, an LLC name must contain the words "Limited Liability Company" or the abbreviations "LLC" or "L.L.C."

Your LLC's name must be distinguishable from the names of other business entities already on file with the Nebraska Secretary of State. Names may be checked for availability at the Nebraska Secretary of State business name database.

You may reserve a name for 120 days by filing an Application for Reservation of Limited Liability Company Name with the Nebraska Secretary of State. The application must be filed by postal mail. The filing fee is $15.

2. Appoint a Registered Agent

Every Nebraska LLC must have an agent for service of process in the state. This is an individual or business entity that agrees to accept legal papers on the LLC's behalf if it is sued. The registered agent may be a Nebraska resident or business entity authorized to do business in Nebraska. The registered agent must have a physical street address in Nebraska.

3. File a Certificate of Organization

A Nebraska LLC is created by filing a Certificate of Organization with the Nebraska Secretary of State. There is no official form for this purpose. The certificate must include:

• the LLC's name and address
• the name and address, and post office box, if any, of the LLC's registered agent, and
• if the LLC is organized to render a professional service, the certificate must list the professional service its members, managers, professional employees, are licensed or otherwise legally authorized to perform in Nebraska.

The certificate can be filed by postal mail or a signed pdf uploaded online. The filing fee is $100 plus $5 per page.

4. Prepare an Operating Agreement

An LLC operating agreement is not required in Nebraska, but is highly advisable. The Operating Agreement is the primary document that establishes the rights, powers, duties, liabilities, and obligations of the members among themselves and to the LLC. The Operating Agreement is purely an internal document and is not filed with the Secretary of State.

If an existing or newly created LLC does not adopt an operating agreement, its existing articles of organization, bylaws or operating agreement, and/or its member control or limited liability company agreement will collectively become its operating agreement.

5. Publication Requirements

LLCs formed in Nebraska must publish a notice of organization for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the LLC's principal business is located. If the LLC does not have a principal business location in Nebraska, the notice may be published in the county of the registered agent's location. You must file an affidavit of publication with the Secretary of State. The affdavit can be filed by postal mail or uploaded online. The filing fee is $10 plus $5 per page.

6. Obtain an EIN

If your LLC has more than one member, it must obtain its own IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN), even if it has no employees. If you form a one-member LLC, you must obtain an EIN for it only if it will have employees or you elect to have it taxed as a corporation instead of a sole proprietorship (disregarded entity). You may obtain an EIN by completing an online EIN application on the IRS website. There is no filing fee.

7. File Biennial Reports

All LLCs doing business in Nebraska must file a biennial report once every two years with the Nebraska Secretary of State. These are filed in odd numbered years and are due by April 1. The next reporting period for LLCs begins January 1, 2021. You can file the report by mail or online. You should receive a report form in the mail. The filing fee is listed in the form.