You register a business in Louisiana through the Secretary of State’s (SOS) geauxBIZ portal: choose an entity, search your name, appoint a registered agent, file formation documents with an Initial Report, get an Employer Identification Number (EIN), and register with the Louisiana Department of Revenue (LDR). A domestic limited liability company (LLC) costs $100 to file, per the Louisiana SOS fee schedule, plus a $5 credit-card convenience fee, and geauxBIZ processes most online filings within a few business days.
Fees rise on October 1, 2026 under Act 921 of the 2026 Regular Legislative Session. Fees below are current as of July 2026; confirm the latest on the Louisiana SOS fee schedule before you file.
What Are the Steps to Register a Business in Louisiana in 2026?
Registering a Louisiana business takes seven steps, all routed through the SOS geauxBIZ portal and the LDR. This is the fast checklist for 2026; each step is detailed in the sections below.
- Choose your business entity (LLC, corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship).
- Search your business name in the Louisiana SOS commercial database and confirm it is available.
- Appoint a Louisiana registered agent with a physical in-state street address.
- File Articles of Organization or Articles of Incorporation plus the required Initial Report through geauxBIZ.
- Get a free EIN from the IRS.
- Register with the LDR through the Louisiana Taxpayer Access Point (LaTAP) for the taxes you owe.
- Obtain state and local licenses from your parish and municipality before you operate.
What Types of Business Entities Can You Form in Louisiana?
Louisiana lets you form an LLC, a corporation, a sole proprietorship, a general partnership (GP), a limited partnership (LP), or a limited liability partnership (LLP). The LLC is the most common choice for small businesses because it combines liability protection with pass-through tax. An S-corp is a federal tax election on IRS Form 2553, not a separate Louisiana entity type.
| Entity type | Formation document | State filing fee (current) | Liability protection | Default tax treatment | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LLC | Articles of Organization (Form #365) | $100 | Yes | Pass-through | Louisiana SOS |
| Corporation (C or S election) | Articles of Incorporation (Form #399) | $75 | Yes | C-corp taxed separately; S-corp passes through | Louisiana SOS |
| Sole proprietorship | None (trade name if applicable) | $0 | No | Pass-through to owner | Louisiana SOS |
| LP / GP | Partnership Registration (Form #342) | $100 | Partial (LP) / None (GP) | Pass-through | Louisiana SOS |
| LLP | Registered LLP Application (Form #975) | $125 | Yes | Pass-through | Louisiana SOS |
| Nonprofit corporation | Articles of Incorporation | Filed with SOS | Yes | Tax-exempt if IRS 501(c)(3) approved | Louisiana SOS |
A Louisiana LP files under the same $100 Partnership Registration used to record a Certificate of Limited Partnership. All SOS Commercial Division fees increase on October 1, 2026.
Louisiana LLC vs Corporation: Which Should You Choose?
Choose an LLC if you run a small business and want pass-through tax with less formality; choose a corporation if you plan to raise outside investment. A C-corporation pays Louisiana corporate income tax, a flat 5.5% since 2025 per the Louisiana Department of Revenue, while an LLC’s profits flow to your personal return.
| Factor | LLC | Corporation | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formation fee (current) | $100 | $75 | Louisiana SOS |
| Annual report fee | $30 | $30 | Louisiana SOS |
| Default tax | Pass-through | Corporate income tax, flat 5.5% | Louisiana Department of Revenue |
| Franchise tax | None | Repealed for periods from Jan 1, 2026 | Louisiana Department of Revenue |
| Best for | Small businesses, solo founders | Startups raising capital | Commenda |
How Do You Check if a Business Name Is Available in Louisiana?
Search the free Louisiana SOS commercial database before you file; it returns each entity’s status, entity type, and filing date. Your name must be distinguishable from existing entities and carry the correct designator, so an LLC must include “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company.” You can reserve an available name with the SOS before formation.
Run the check the same way whether you are verifying a competitor or clearing your own name. Commenda’s company name checker offers a fast first pass before you open the official database.
What Is the Louisiana Registered Agent Requirement?
Every Louisiana LLC, corporation, LP, and LLP must maintain a registered agent with a physical Louisiana street address, available during business hours to accept service of process, per the Louisiana SOS. A P.O. box does not qualify. The agent can be a Louisiana resident or a company authorized to do business in the state.
This requirement is the key enabler for non-resident founders, who can form a Louisiana entity without living there by hiring an agent. Commercial registered agent services typically run $50 to $300 per year.
How Do You File Formation Documents Through geauxBIZ?
File your Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (corporation) plus the required Initial Report through geauxBIZ, paying the state fee and a $5 credit-card convenience fee. The Initial Report is a Louisiana-specific document that names your registered agent and initial members, managers, or directors, and it is filed alongside your formation document.
Online filing is fastest. Mail filing to the SOS is available but slower. geauxBIZ accepts credit cards, checks, and money orders per the SOS filing instructions.
How Much Does It Cost to Register an LLC in Louisiana?
A Louisiana LLC costs $100 to file, per the Louisiana SOS fee schedule, so a bare-minimum first year runs about $105 with the $5 card fee if you serve as your own registered agent. With a commercial agent and optional add-ons, budget roughly $155 to $405 in year one.
| Line item | Amount (current) | Required? | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | $100 | Required | Louisiana SOS |
| geauxBIZ card convenience fee | $5 | Required if paying by card | Louisiana SOS |
| Initial Report | No separate fee | Required | Louisiana SOS |
| Name reservation | See SOS schedule | Optional | Louisiana SOS |
| Registered agent service | $50–$300 / year | Optional | Commercial providers |
| Annual report (year two on) | $30 / year | Required ongoing | Louisiana SOS |
| Corporation (comparison) | $75 to file | Alternative | Louisiana SOS |
On October 1, 2026, the LLC fee rises to $125 and the corporation fee to $95, per the SOS 2026 fee changes.
How Long Does It Take to Register a Business in Louisiana?
Online filings through geauxBIZ are typically processed within several business days, while mailed filings take one to two weeks or more. Two expedite tiers are available for an added fee, per the Louisiana SOS.
| Filing method | Turnaround | Added fee (current) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online standard (geauxBIZ) | Several business days | $5 card fee | Louisiana SOS |
| 24-hour expedite | 24 hours | $30 | Louisiana SOS |
| Priority (while you wait) | Same day | $50 | Louisiana SOS |
| 1–2+ weeks | None | Louisiana SOS |
Expedite fees rise to $35 and $60 on October 1, 2026, per the SOS 2026 fee changes.
How Do You Register for Louisiana Taxes and Get an EIN?
Get a free EIN from the IRS, then register with the LDR through LaTAP for the taxes your business owes, such as sales, withholding, and corporate income tax. The EIN is your federal tax ID for filings, banking, and hiring.
Founders with a Social Security Number (SSN) can get an EIN online from the IRS in minutes. Founders without an SSN or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) apply by mail or fax using Form SS-4.
Do You Need a Sales Tax Permit in Louisiana?
Yes, if you sell taxable goods or services in Louisiana, and remote sellers must register once they exceed $100,000 in gross Louisiana sales, per the Louisiana Sales and Use Tax Commission for Remote Sellers. The state sales tax rate is 5% as of 2025, and parish and municipal taxes push combined rates among the highest in the country, per the LDR.
Register for a permit through LaTAP. See Commenda’s Louisiana sales tax guide and the US economic nexus guide for current thresholds, then register for a sales tax permit in Louisiana.
What Other Taxes and Licenses Apply After You Register?
Registration creates your entity; it does not license you to operate. Many Louisiana municipalities levy an occupational license tax, and parishes, Louisiana’s equivalent of counties, impose their own local licensing. C-corporations pay Louisiana corporate income tax, per the LDR.
Louisiana repealed its separate corporate franchise tax for periods beginning on or after January 1, 2026, per the LDR, removing a recurring cost that older guides still cite. Check your parish and city for a Louisiana business license that fits your industry.
What Ongoing Compliance Does Louisiana Require?
File an annual report with the SOS by your registration anniversary date at a $30 fee, keep your registered agent current, and renew local licenses. If your agent changes, update the SOS within 60 days to stay in good standing.
The annual report fee rises to $35 on October 1, 2026, while the nonprofit annual report stays $10, per the SOS 2026 fee changes. Commenda’s compliance calendar tracks these deadlines so nothing lapses.
Can Non-Residents and Foreign Founders Register a Louisiana Business?
Yes. Louisiana has no residency or citizenship requirement to form an LLC or corporation, but you must maintain a Louisiana registered agent with a physical in-state address. Founders without an SSN obtain an EIN by mail or fax using IRS Form SS-4, since the online tool requires an SSN or ITIN.
Many non-residents also open a US bank account after formation and may apply for an ITIN. Founders comparing states can review Texas business registration and Florida business registration.
How Do Out-of-State Businesses Register in Louisiana?
An entity formed in another state that transacts business in Louisiana registers as a foreign entity with the SOS by filing an Application for Certificate of Authority. A foreign LLC currently pays $150 and a foreign corporation $125, per the Louisiana SOS fee schedule.
Foreign entities still need a Louisiana registered agent and LDR tax registration. Both fees rise on October 1, 2026, to $185 and $155, per the SOS 2026 fee changes.
What Tax Incentives Does Louisiana Offer New Businesses?
The Louisiana Enterprise Zone Program offers rebates or tax credits for job creation and investment in designated areas, administered by Louisiana Economic Development (LED). LED is the gateway for other programs, including quality-jobs and industrial-tax incentives, so review current terms with LED before you rely on any credit.
How Commenda Helps You Register a Business in Louisiana
Commenda’s incorporation service handles Louisiana business registration end to end: entity selection, geauxBIZ filings with the Initial Report, registered agent coordination, and EIN setup, so your entity is formed correctly the first time. After formation, Commenda’s entity management platform tracks your annual report and license renewal deadlines so your Louisiana entity stays in good standing.
For sales and use tax, the Louisiana sales tax guide keeps your rate and threshold data current. Book a demo to get your Louisiana registration handled end to end, filings and deadlines included.
