How to form an LLC in Louisiana

Forming an LLC in Louisiana costs $100 to file Articles of Organization with the Louisiana Secretary of State, with online approval through geauxBIZ in 1–3 business days. Expedited service is available — 24-hour for $30 extra and 2–4 hour for $50 extra. The annual report is $35, due in the LLC's anniversary month. Louisiana moved to a flat 3% individual income tax in 2025, one of the largest tax cuts in state history. The catch is sales tax: combined state and local rates can push above 11.5%, the highest in the U.S. Louisiana is also unique because it operates under a civil law system (the only U.S. state to do so), inherited from French colonial law — meaning some contract and property concepts work differently than in other states. Strong industries include oil and gas, petrochemicals (the Mississippi River corridor), maritime/ports (New Orleans), and seafood. For those operating in Louisiana, a local attorney is unusually valuable.

Why form your LLC in Louisiana

Energy (oil & gas), petrochemicals, ports (New Orleans), and a unique civil-law legal system that differs from every other state. If you’re operating in LA, work with a local attorney.

• Flat 3% personal income tax (2025) — significant recent tax cut
• Major oil & gas, petrochemicals, and ports industries
• New Orleans is a top-15 U.S. port
• Online approval in 1–3 business days; expedited 2–4 hour available
• No franchise tax for LLCs taxed as pass-through
• Strong seafood, hospitality, and tourism economy

Best fit for: Oil & gas · Petrochemicals · Maritime & ports

How to form a Louisiana LLC in 7 steps

1. 1

   Search the Louisiana business name database

   Use the Louisiana Secretary of State geauxBIZ portal to search names. The name must include "Limited Liability Company", "LLC", "L.L.C.", or "L.C." Reserve a name for $25 (held 60 days) if needed.

2. 2

   Appoint a Louisiana registered agent

   Required to have a physical Louisiana street address. Can be the LLC owner if they're a Louisiana resident, or a commercial service. Note: in Louisiana civil law, the agent role is sometimes called "agent for service of process."

3. 3

   File Articles of Organization

   File online through geauxBIZ for $100. Standard processing is 1–3 business days. Expedited tiers: 24-hour ($30 extra), 2–4 hour ($50 extra). The Articles include LLC name, registered agent, principal office, purpose, duration, and management structure.

4. 4

   File the Initial Report

   Louisiana requires a separate Initial Report submitted with the Articles of Organization. The Initial Report is a one-time filing that lists members and managers. It's typically completed as part of the geauxBIZ filing process.

5. 5

   Apply for an EIN with the IRS

   Free at irs.gov, takes 10 minutes online. Required for opening a business bank account, registering with the Louisiana Department of Revenue, and filing federal taxes.

6. 6

   Register with the Louisiana Department of Revenue (LDR)

   Register through the Louisiana Taxpayer Access Point (LaTAP) for sales and use tax (if you sell taxable goods/services), withholding tax (if you have employees), and other applicable accounts. Sales tax in Louisiana is complex — state plus parish plus municipal rates apply.

7. 7

   Calendar your annual report

   Louisiana LLC annual reports are due each year in the LLC's anniversary month. The fee is $35. File through geauxBIZ. Late filings incur a $25 penalty and can lead to administrative dissolution.

File directly with Louisiana Secretary of State →

Louisiana LLC taxes & compliance

Louisiana moved to a flat 3% income tax in 2025 — a major cut. Local sales taxes can push combined rates above 11.5%, the highest in the U.S.

Ongoing compliance checklist

• Annual report — $35, due in anniversary month
• No franchise tax for pass-through LLCs
• Sales and use tax filings (LDR) — state + parish + municipal
• Withholding tax filings if you have LA employees
• Local occupational license renewals
• Federal income tax (Form 1065 multi-member, Schedule C SMLLC)

Registered agent rules

Required — LA street address.

Hidden costs new Louisiana LLC owners forget

• Combined sales tax can reach 11.5%+ — among the highest in the U.S.
• Annual report: $35, due in LLC's anniversary month
• Civil law system — many forms and contracts use Louisiana-specific terminology
• Foreign LLC qualification: $150
• Local occupational licenses common in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport
• Late annual report: $25 penalty + administrative dissolution

Should you use a formation service in Louisiana?

You can absolutely file directly with the Louisiana Secretary of State for the $100 state fee. The reasons most Louisiana owners use a service anyway are (1) registered-agent privacy — keeping their home address off public filings — and (2) calendar reminders for ongoing compliance.