To start a business in Louisiana, form your LLC or corporation with the Secretary of State on geauxBIZ, get an EIN, register with the Louisiana Department of Revenue on LaTAP, and register for parish sales tax where you operate. Louisiana raised many business filing fees on October 1, 2026: an LLC’s Articles of Organization now cost $125 (up from $100), Articles of Incorporation cost $95, and the annual report is $35.
Louisiana’s state sales tax rose to 5% on January 1, 2025, and parishes and cities add their own rates, which they collect locally. Everything below reflects official fees and rules as of October 2026.
Updated October 2026.
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Best Business Formation Services in Louisiana (2026)
Our ranked picks for forming a business in Louisiana are below, starting with Mainstay Filing. Each entry lists the yearly price and what the service covers.
| Rank | Provider | Best for | Price | What’s included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | Forming an LLC with the agent, EIN and annual report included | $199/year + state fee at cost | LLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing |
| 2 | LA Registered Agent.org | Louisiana registered agent service only | $99/year | $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
| 3 | Louisiana Registered Agent.co | Louisiana registered agent service only | $99/year | in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
1. Mainstay Filing
Mainstay Filing is our top pick in Louisiana. It costs $199/year + state fee at cost and covers lLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing. The price stays the same every year, with no add-on menu.
2. LA Registered Agent.org
LA Registered Agent.org is a Louisiana registered agent service at $99/year. It provides $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
3. Louisiana Registered Agent.co
Louisiana Registered Agent.co is a Louisiana registered agent service at $99/year. It provides in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
New fees to start a business in Louisiana
| Filing | Fee (effective October 1, 2026) |
|---|---|
| LLC Articles of Organization (form 365, with initial report) | $125 |
| Articles of Incorporation (business corporation) | $95 |
| Annual report | $35, due by your formation anniversary |
| Change of registered office or agent | $30 |
| Name reservation | $25 |
| Trade name registration | $95 |
| Credit card convenience fee | $5 |
| Source | Secretary of State fee schedule, effective 10/1/26 |
Which business structure fits Louisiana?
- Sole proprietorship: no Secretary of State filing and no liability protection; register a trade name if you want state-level protection for a brand.
- Partnership: Louisiana registers partnerships with the Secretary of State ($125), and partners remain personally liable in a general partnership.
- LLC: $125 to form plus a $35 annual report, with liability protection for members. Louisiana LLCs file an initial report listing managers or members along with their Articles.
- Corporation: $95 to form, the same $35 annual report, and corporate governance requirements.
Most small Louisiana businesses choose an LLC. Our Louisiana LLC guide explains the Articles of Organization and initial report.
Budgeting for year one under the new fees
At the October 2026 rates, a single-owner LLC paying by card spends $130 to file its Articles ($125 plus the $5 convenience fee), and the first $35 annual report comes due around its first anniversary. A $25 name reservation is optional. A corporation spends $95 to form and the same $35 a year. Local occupational licenses and parish permits often cost more than the state filings, so call your parish and city before you budget.
Forming in Louisiana from another state
Louisiana doesn’t require members or managers to live in the state, but your company needs a registered agent and registered office in Louisiana. If you’ll run the business from elsewhere, check whether your home state also expects a foreign registration, which brings its own fees and reports.
Choosing a Louisiana business name
Search the Secretary of State’s business records on geauxBIZ first. An LLC name must include “limited liability company,” “L.L.C.” or “LLC,” and a corporation needs “corporation,” “incorporated,” “limited” or an abbreviation.
A name reservation costs $25. Our Louisiana business name search guide has more on searching.
For ideas, try the Namechk business name generator, and confirm the domain and social handles on Namechk before you file.
Trade names in Louisiana
Louisiana registers trade names, trademarks and service marks with the Secretary of State. Under the October 2026 schedule, a trade name registration costs $95, and a trade name reservation costs $25.
Who can be a registered agent in Louisiana?
Under La. R.S. 12:1308, a Louisiana LLC’s registered agent must be a Louisiana citizen who lives in the state, a Louisiana law firm (partnership or professional law corporation), or a corporation or LLC authorized to do business in Louisiana. The LLC must maintain a registered office in Louisiana at a physical street address, and the office counts as the company’s domicile.
An owner who lives in Louisiana can serve. When you change agents, the new agent signs a notarized affidavit accepting the appointment on paper filings, or accepts by email on geauxBIZ. The change costs $30 under the new fee schedule. Mainstay Filing includes a registered agent for the first year with its formation package, and our Louisiana registered agent guide explains the rules.
How do you file with the Louisiana Secretary of State?
- Create a geauxBIZ account. Since 2018, businesses in certain parishes must file available business documents online through geauxBIZ.
- Choose Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (corporation).
- For an LLC, complete the initial report at the same time, listing the registered agent, office, and managers or members, at no extra charge.
- Pay $125 (LLC) or $95 (corporation), plus the $5 credit card convenience fee when paying by card.
Expedited handling costs $35 for 24-hour service or $60 for priority while-you-wait processing. After filing, adopt an operating agreement or bylaws to set ownership and decision rules. For a fuller cost breakdown, see Mainstay’s Louisiana LLC cost guide.
Getting an EIN
Apply on the IRS website for free. LaTAP registration, payroll and banks will all ask for it.
U.S. companies no longer file federal BOI reports; FinCEN’s final rule took effect August 14, 2026.
Registering for Louisiana taxes
Louisiana splits sales tax between the state and local governments, so new sellers register at both levels.
- State registration: register your business with the Louisiana Department of Revenue on LaTAP for state sales tax, withholding and other accounts.
- State sales tax: 5% as of January 1, 2025, according to the Department of Revenue. Parish and city sales taxes are added on top.
- Local sales tax: parishes administer their own sales taxes. The Department of Revenue points sellers to Parish E-File, a free tool for filing state and parish/city returns from one site.
- Employment taxes: employers register with the Louisiana Workforce Commission for unemployment insurance and report new hires.
Why Louisiana sales tax takes an extra step
In most states, one agency collects both state and local sales tax. In Louisiana, the Department of Revenue collects the state’s 5%, while parish and municipal taxes are levied and collected locally, so a retailer can owe returns to more than one tax office. The Department of Revenue notes that local rates are listed by the Louisiana Association of Tax Administrators. Parish E-File lets you submit state and local returns from one site, which saves time if you sell in several parishes.
Licenses and permits for Louisiana businesses
Louisiana has no general statewide business license, but local requirements are common. Parishes and municipalities issue occupational licenses, and some require separate permits for signage, zoning and health inspections.
State boards regulate licensed occupations such as contractors (through the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors), cosmetologists and real estate agents, and the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control licenses alcohol and tobacco sellers.
Bank account, insurance and website
Open a business bank account with your filed Articles and EIN, and run all business money through it to protect your liability shield.
Buy general liability insurance, consider professional liability for service work, and talk to an agent about workers’ compensation before you hire. Along the Gulf Coast, review property coverage for wind and flood early. Then register a domain and launch a website.
If you serve more than one parish, say so on your website and list a contact number, since customers often search by parish or city name.
Our picks of the best website builders
Ongoing obligations in Louisiana
- File the annual report by your formation anniversary date each year. geauxBIZ accepts it only within the 30 days before that date. The fee is $35 under the October 2026 schedule.
- Missing the deadline makes the company not in good standing, and continued non-filing leads to revocation after roughly three years.
- Changing members or managers between reports costs $30; the registered agent can be updated on the annual report or by a $30 statement of change.
- File state sales and withholding returns on LaTAP, and parish returns through Parish E-File or directly with each parish.
- Renew local occupational licenses as your parish or city requires.
FAQs
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Louisiana?
Since October 1, 2026, filing Articles of Organization with the Louisiana Secretary of State costs $125, up from $100, under Act 921 of 2026. Card payments add a $5 convenience fee. The initial report is filed with the Articles at no extra cost, and the annual report is $35 a year.
When is the Louisiana annual report due?
Louisiana LLCs and corporations file their annual report by the anniversary of their formation date each year, and geauxBIZ accepts it only within the 30 days before that date. The fee is $35 under the schedule effective October 1, 2026. Entities that keep missing reports can have their charter revoked.
What is the sales tax rate in Louisiana?
Louisiana’s state sales tax rate is 5% as of January 1, 2025, according to the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Parishes and cities add their own local sales taxes, which they administer locally. Sellers register with the state on LaTAP and can file state and parish returns through Parish E-File.
Who can be a registered agent in Louisiana?
Under La. R.S. 12:1308, a Louisiana registered agent can be a Louisiana citizen who resides in the state, a Louisiana law firm, or a corporation or LLC authorized to do business in Louisiana. A new agent must formally accept the appointment, by notarized affidavit on paper or by email acceptance online. Changing agents costs $30.
How do I register a trade name in Louisiana?
Trade names are registered with the Louisiana Secretary of State. Under the fee schedule effective October 1, 2026, a trade name registration costs $95 and a trade name reservation costs $25. Registering a trade name doesn’t create a separate legal entity or give liability protection.
Can I be my own registered agent in Louisiana?
Yes, if you’re a Louisiana citizen who lives in the state and can be reached at the registered office, which must be a physical Louisiana street address. That address becomes the company’s domicile and appears in public records. Owners who travel or live out of state usually hire a commercial agent instead.
Did Louisiana raise business filing fees in 2026?
Yes. Under Act 921 of the 2026 Regular Session, the Secretary of State’s new fee schedule took effect October 1, 2026. LLC Articles of Organization rose to $125, changes of registered agent to $30, and annual reports are $35. Check the official schedule before filing, since older guides show the previous amounts.
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