Delaware LLC vs Nevada LLC (2026)
Compare Delaware LLC vs Nevada LLC — filing fees, taxes, privacy laws, and annual costs. Find out which state is actually better for your business.
| Factor | Delaware | Nevada |
|---|---|---|
| Filing Fee | $90 | $425 |
| Processing Time | 7 day(s) | 1 day(s) |
| Annual Report Fee | $300 | $350 |
| Annual Report Due | June 1 | Anniversary month |
| State Income Tax | No | No |
| Anonymous LLC | No | Yes |
| Publication Requirement | No | No |
| Foreign LLC Cost (if forming out-of-state) | N/A — you're in your home state | ~$300 + registered agent ~$200/yr |
Verdict: Delaware wins for most businesses
For most Delaware-based small businesses, forming locally is the smart choice — you'll save money and avoid the hassle of maintaining compliance in two states. Nevada only makes sense if you specifically need anonymous ownership or have investors requiring Nevada formation.
Compare LLC Costs: Delaware vs Nevada
Delaware
Nevada
Costs include mandatory state fees: filing fees, annual report fees, California's $800/yr franchise tax, and Nevada's $550/yr (annual list $350 + state business license $200). New York's formation fee includes an estimated $500 publication cost (required by law; NYC counties typically run $1,500–$2,000+). Excludes registered agent fees and legal fees. For informational purposes only — not legal or tax advice.
Filing Fees & Formation Costs
Delaware charges just $90 to form an LLC, making it significantly cheaper upfront than Nevada's $425 filing fee. However, if you're Delaware-based and form in Nevada, you'll also need to register as a foreign LLC in Delaware (around $300) plus hire a Nevada registered agent ($200+ annually). This means your true first-year cost for a Nevada LLC would be over $900, compared to Delaware's $390 total.
Taxes: Delaware vs Nevada
Both Delaware and Nevada have no state income tax for LLCs, so there's no tax advantage to choosing Nevada. Delaware does charge an annual franchise tax of $300 for LLCs, while Nevada's annual report fee is $350. However, if you operate in Delaware but form in Nevada, you'll still owe Delaware taxes on income earned in Delaware, negating any potential tax benefits.
Privacy & Asset Protection
Nevada allows anonymous LLC formation where beneficial owners aren't disclosed publicly, while Delaware requires member information on file. Nevada also has strong charging order protections for single-member LLCs. However, Delaware offers solid asset protection too, and the practical benefits of Nevada's privacy laws are often overstated for typical small businesses that aren't trying to hide ownership from business partners or creditors.
Annual Maintenance Costs
Delaware LLCs pay $300 annually by June 1st for their franchise tax report. Nevada charges $350 per year due on the anniversary month of formation. If you form in Nevada but operate in Delaware, you'll pay both states' annual fees plus ongoing registered agent costs in Nevada, potentially costing $700+ per year versus Delaware's single $300 fee.
When Nevada Actually Makes Sense
Nevada formation makes sense for Delaware business owners in specific situations: if you need anonymous ownership for legitimate privacy reasons, have investors who specifically require Nevada formation, or plan to expand nationwide and want Nevada's business-friendly court system. For typical small businesses operating primarily in Delaware, the extra costs and compliance complexity rarely justify Nevada formation over simply forming locally.
Frequently Asked Questions
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<iframe src="https://www.mystatellc.com/tools/compare-states?embed=1&stateA=DE&stateB=NV" width="100%" height="720" frameborder="0" style="border:0;max-width:900px;display:block;margin:0 auto;" title="Delaware vs Nevada LLC Cost Comparison" loading="lazy"></iframe> <p style="text-align:center;font-size:.8125rem;color:#6b7280">Source: <a href="https://www.mystatellc.com/llc/compare/delaware-llc-vs-nevada-llc">MyStateLLC — Delaware vs Nevada LLC Comparison</a></p>
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