Self-employed in Reno, NV: taxes and retirement for 2026

What consultants, freelancers, content creators, entrepreneurs, gig workers, tipped workers and tradespeople in Reno, NV need to know this year: local taxes, Nevada income and estimated tax rules, and how to save for retirement without an employer plan.

Guides for Reno

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Reno local rules

Local income tax: No city income tax in Reno.
City of Reno Business License Fee (gross receipts): The yearly license fee is based on gross receipts from sales in Reno: $70 for $0-$20,000, $150 for $20,001-$100,000, and $150 plus 0.085% of receipts over $100,000 (up to $5 million). This is the FY 2026/27 schedule, effective July 1, 2026. Home-based applicants also pay a $25 application processing fee.
City business license: Yes. Reno says anyone not paid as an employee counts as an independent contractor or self-employed and must get a city business license; home-based businesses in Reno go through a short licensing process. Ride-share drivers, real estate agents and vacation/short-term rentals are exempt from the city business license.
Also worth knowing: No city income tax. The FY 2026/27 fee schedule also lists $38 home-based business license review and inspection fees. We found no local gig-worker pay laws.

Nevada rules that apply in Reno

State income tax (2026): Nevada has no state income tax on wages or self-employment income. Nevada does not tax individual income such as wages, salaries, or similar compensation.
Nevada State Business License: Anyone doing business in Nevada, including sole proprietors who file Schedule C, E, or F and single-member LLCs, must hold a State Business License from the Secretary of State. It costs $200 a year ($500 for corporations). Exempt: home-based businesses whose net earnings are no more than 66 2/3% of the state average annual wage, and people whose only business is renting 4 or fewer dwelling units.
Minimum wage (2026): $12.00 an hour; no tip credit, so tipped workers get the full minimum before tips. $12.00 per hour, unchanged in the Labor Commissioner's annual bulletin effective July 1, 2026. The single rate took effect July 1, 2024, after 2022 Ballot Question 2 ended the two-tier (health-benefit) system. Tips cannot count toward the minimum wage (NRS 608.160). Daily overtime after 8 hours in a 24-hour period applies to workers earning less than $18.00 an hour (1.5 times the minimum wage).
Independent contractor presumption (NRS 608.0155): Under Nevada wage law, a worker is conclusively presumed to be an independent contractor if three things are true: they have or applied for an EIN or SSN, or filed a business or self-employment return last year; the contract requires them to hold any needed business licenses and insurance; and they meet at least 3 of 5 criteria. The criteria are control over how the work is done, control over when it is done, not being required to work for only one client, freedom to hire helpers, and a substantial capital investment. Licensed construction contractors use a separate ABC-style test.
State retirement program: Nevada Employee Savings Trust (NEST) is live. It is built around W-2 employers and does not cover 1099 contractors through the employer mandate.

Questions

Is there a local income tax in Reno?

No city income tax applies in Reno. Nevada has no state income tax on wages or self-employment income.

What local business taxes apply to self-employed self-employed people in Reno?

City of Reno Business License Fee (gross receipts): The yearly license fee is based on gross receipts from sales in Reno: $70 for $0-$20,000, $150 for $20,001-$100,000, and $150 plus 0.085% of receipts over $100,000 (up to $5 million). This is the FY 2026/27 schedule, effective July 1, 2026. Home-based applicants also pay a $25 application processing fee.

Do I need a business license to freelance from home in Reno?

Yes. Reno says anyone not paid as an employee counts as an independent contractor or self-employed and must get a city business license; home-based businesses in Reno go through a short licensing process. Ride-share drivers, real estate agents and vacation/short-term rentals are exempt from the city business license.

Do self-employed people in Nevada pay state income tax?

Nevada has no state income tax on wages or self-employment income. Nevada does not tax individual income such as wages, salaries, or similar compensation.

Are there other Nevada taxes for self-employed self-employed people?

Nevada State Business License: Anyone doing business in Nevada, including sole proprietors who file Schedule C, E, or F and single-member LLCs, must hold a State Business License from the Secretary of State. It costs $200 a year ($500 for corporations). Exempt: home-based businesses whose net earnings are no more than 66 2/3% of the state average annual wage, and people whose only business is renting 4 or fewer dwelling units.

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Sources

Facts researched from official sources and independently re-checked; last verified October 2026, next scheduled review 2027-01-02. Educational information for 2026, not tax, legal or investment advice. Rules change; check the official sources listed and a tax professional for your situation. Gigaverse AI, Inc. is a financial technology company, not a bank, and not itself a registered investment adviser or broker-dealer.