You might have seen the press release from Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar bragging about hitting record revenue from business filings last month.
In March 2025 alone, his office raked in nearly $24 million just from businesses trying to stay legal. And he’s proud of it.
But here’s the problem: this isn’t some sign that Nevada is suddenly the friendliest state for businesses. It’s a sign the government has gotten real good at taxing paperwork.
One Nevada business owner summed it up perfectly:
“The state has made over $173 million year-to-date just to record filings of who manages what business. In South Dakota, my cost for this filing is $25 annually. In Nevada it’s $300. Same info. And I have one of the cheaper Nevada filings. It’s based on revenue. Aguilar should not be bragging about this.”
Think about that.
In South Dakota — a state that regularly ranks as one of the best places in the country to do business — you file the exact same paperwork for $25.
In Nevada? $300.
And that’s for the cheaper businesses. If your revenue is a little higher, the fees go up from there.
A Fee Is Still a Tax
The Secretary’s press release tries to spin this by saying the money goes into the General Fund to help pay for things like healthcare, education, and roads.
That sounds nice. But let’s call it what it really is: a hidden tax on job creators.
Imagine if you had to pay $300 just to mow lawns or run a lemonade stand legally. That’s basically what’s happening here — except it’s hitting businesses large and small, across the whole state.
Instead of bragging about how much money the government is sucking out of the private sector, maybe the Secretary should be asking: Why does it cost so much in the first place?
Nevada Used to Be Better Than This
Nevada has always sold itself as a low-tax, business-friendly state. That’s why so many people moved their companies here in the first place — to escape the red tape and high fees in places like California.
But now, with the Secretary crowing about record-breaking revenue from business filings, you have to wonder: Are we starting to become the very thing we used to stand against?
South Dakota, Wyoming, Texas — they’re not hammering their businesses with ridiculous fees just for the privilege of operating.
And guess what? They’re still funding roads and schools without shaking down their entrepreneurs.
How to Make Nevada Business-Friendly Again
There’s a better way to do this. Here are a few ideas:
- Lower the annual filing fee for basic business registrations — something closer to South Dakota’s $25 would be a start.
- Cap fees based on business size. A mom-and-pop sandwich shop shouldn’t be paying the same filing fees as a multimillion-dollar corporation.
- Simplify the process. If it costs that much to file, maybe the system is too complicated. Streamlining filings could save both businesses and the state time and money.
- Reward good actors. Give discounts or credits to businesses that stay compliant year after year instead of treating everyone like an ATM.
- Increase transparency. Businesses should be able to see exactly where their filing fees are going. A detailed breakdown would build trust — or expose waste.
Instead of treating business owners like a piggy bank, Nevada’s leaders should be rolling out the red carpet.
Secretary Aguilar’s record revenue announcement might make his office look good on paper. But to the Nevadans paying the bill, it just feels like another government hand in their pocket.
If we’re serious about keeping Nevada open for business, it’s time to stop patting ourselves on the back for picking the pockets of the people who make our economy run.
