Quick answer

Quick Answer

To start a Louisiana LLC, you must file Articles of Organization with the Louisiana Secretary of State and pay a $100 filing fee. You are required by law to appoint a registered agent with a physical Louisiana street address. Every year, your LLC must file an Annual Report by its anniversary date, which costs $30. Louisiana does not charge a state franchise tax, but pass-through LLC profits are subject to a graduated personal income tax ranging from 1.85% to 4.25%.

Louisiana LLC filing fee

The state filing fee for your Articles of Organization is $100. The most efficient way to file is online using Louisiana's geauxBIZ portal. Online filings are generally processed within 1 to 3 business days.

Step 1: Choose a name

Your business name must be entirely unique and distinguishable from other business entities registered in Louisiana. State law also requires the name to include an appropriate LLC designator such as "Limited Liability Company," "L.L.C.," or "L.C." You can perform a free business search on the geauxBIZ website to check name availability.

Step 2: Appoint a registered agent

Every Louisiana LLC must appoint a registered agent. This is an individual or authorized business entity responsible for receiving service of process, legal documents, and official state correspondence. The agent must have a physical street address in Louisiana (P.O. Boxes are not permitted) and must be available during normal business hours.

Step 3: File formation documents

Your LLC is officially created when you file the Articles of Organization. Louisiana also requires you to file an Initial Report concurrently, which lists your registered agent and the names and addresses of your LLC's members or managers. Both documents can be filed together on the geauxBIZ portal for a total state fee of $100.

Step 4: Create an operating agreement

Louisiana law does not require you to file an operating agreement with the state. However, drafting an operating agreement is highly recommended. It establishes the internal governance of your LLC, detailing ownership structure, voting rights, and how profits are distributed. Furthermore, almost all banks will require a copy of your operating agreement to open a business bank account.

Step 5: Get an EIN

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a free 9-digit tax ID assigned by the IRS. It functions like a social security number for your business. You will need an EIN to hire employees, open a business checking account, and file federal tax returns. You can apply for an EIN online directly through the IRS website.

Step 6: Register for state taxes if needed

The geauxBIZ portal streamlines this step by automatically checking if you need to register with the Louisiana Department of Revenue. If your LLC sells physical goods, you must register to collect the state's 4.45% sales tax, plus any local parish taxes (which frequently push the total rate to 8.5% - 10%). For income tax, standard LLC profits pass through to your personal return and are taxed at Louisiana's graduated rates of 1.85% to 4.25%.

Step 7: File annual reports and stay compliant

Every Louisiana LLC must file an Annual Report to remain in good standing with the Secretary of State. The report is due every year on or before the anniversary date of your LLC's formation (e.g., if you formed on October 12, it is due October 12 every year). The filing fee is $30. If you fail to file, the state will eventually revoke your LLC's active status.

Louisiana LLC Cost

Fee Type Amount
Formation fee $100
Registered agent estimate $39 - $150 / year
Annual report fee $30 / year
Franchise tax $0 (None)
Publication fee if applicable $0 (None)
WHEN THIS MAY NOT APPLY

If you do not live in Louisiana, do not operate from Louisiana, and do not have a specific Louisiana-related reason for forming there, a Louisiana LLC may not be the best default choice. You may still need to register the LLC as a foreign LLC in the state where you actually operate, which can create duplicate filing fees, registered agent costs, and annual compliance requirements.

Louisiana currently charges $100 to form a domestic LLC. Annual reports are currently $30 online. For many purely online businesses, it is usually worth comparing your home state with commonly used business-friendly states such as Wyoming, which charges $100 to form an LLC and has a $60 minimum annual license tax, before choosing Louisiana.

Should you form your LLC in Louisiana?

A Louisiana LLC usually makes sense if you live in Louisiana, operate your business from Louisiana, or have a clear legal or tax reason to use Louisiana. If you live and operate somewhere else, forming in Louisiana may create extra registered agent costs, foreign qualification requirements, and duplicate compliance obligations. Louisiana may appeal to some owners, but compare it with Wyoming, Delaware, Nevada, and your home state in our guide to the best state for an online business LLC. For a comprehensive overview of starting a business, visit our LLC formation hub.

Situation Is a Louisiana LLC usually a good fit?
You live in Louisiana Usually yes
Your business operates in Louisiana Usually yes
You want privacy Depends on state rules
You live in another state Usually only if you have a specific reason
You are a non-US resident Depends on banking, taxes, and compliance needs

Louisiana LLC vs Wyoming LLC

Wyoming is generally superior to Louisiana for non-resident business owners. While Louisiana is slightly cheaper to maintain ($30/year vs Wyoming's $60 minimum/year), Wyoming has zero state income tax compared to Louisiana's graduated rate up to 4.25%. Furthermore, Wyoming offers strong statutory anonymity, keeping LLC owner names off public registries. Louisiana provides no such privacy protections. If you operate a brick-and-mortar business inside Louisiana, you must register a Louisiana LLC. If you run a purely online business, Wyoming is a better option.