Registration Costs and Structures
To register a business in Louisiana, you need to understand the initial registration fees, which depend on the business structure:
- Louisiana LLC: $100
- Louisiana Corporation: $75
- Louisiana Non-Profit: $75
- Foreign LLC to do business in Louisiana: $150
- Foreign Corporation to do business in Louisiana: $125
Common Business Structures
When forming your Louisiana business, you can choose from different structures:
- Sole proprietorships default to a one-person operation, taxed at the owner’s rate.
- Partnerships have two or more owners, also taxed personally.
- LLCs have limited liability for members but are still taxed personally.
Forming an LLC in Louisiana
To register a Louisiana LLC:
- Appoint a registered agent to receive paperwork.
- File Articles of Organization with a state fee of $100.
Additional LLC expenses after approval include licenses, permits, insurance, taxes, and documents.
Annual Obligations and Costs
The Secretary of State may revoke Articles of Organization if an LLC fails to pay annual fees on time. The cost to form a Louisiana LLC includes:
- A $100 filing fee
- A Registered Agent service fee
- Annual fees of $15
- Minimum taxes of $45 per year
- Income taxes from 2-6% of total income
Timeframe for Registration
Online filings for Louisiana LLCs generally take 3-5 business days for approval. Expedited processing options are available for additional fees:
- 3-hour processing for $50 extra during business hours
- Same-day processing for $50
- 24-hour approval for $30
S Corporation Status
Louisiana law does not recognize S corporation status. An S corporation must file like a C corporation, but in some cases, corporation income can be excluded from Louisiana tax.
Staying Compliant
Every Louisiana LLC must file an Annual Report each year to maintain compliance and good standing.
The Process of Starting a Business in Louisiana
Starting a business in Louisiana involves 8 key steps:
- Building a foundation
- Choosing a structure
- Registering
- Obtaining licenses and permits
- Arranging finances
- Hiring employees
- Preparing a business plan
- Developing a marketing strategy
Post-Formation Steps
After forming your Louisiana business:
- Obtain federal and state tax IDs
- Register for taxes
- Comply with regulations
- Open business bank accounts
- Insure your business
Additional Resources
Start a Business Today in Louisiana offers services like business planning, market research, and financial assistance access.
Licensing Timelines
Getting a Louisiana business license timeline varies by license type and application specifics. It may take from weeks to months, depending on various factors.
Business Formation Services
Using a business creation company can assist with the registration process, but their services will be at an additional cost.