Start by doing a search to see if your business name is available:
http://www.sos.la.gov/BusinessServices/SearchForLouisianaBusinessFilings/Pages/default.aspx

Include the words “Limited Liability Company,” the abbreviation “L.L.C.,” or the abbreviation “L.C” in your Louisiana LLC name.

Louisiana corporations must include  words “Corporation”, “Incorporated” or “Limited”, or the abbreviation of any of those words. No corporate name can contain the phrase “doing business as” or the abbreviation “d/b/a”.

Louisiana Secretary of State
Business Services
8585 Archives Ave.
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
P: (225) 925-4704
F: (225) 932-5314

Now you can form your business entity by filing with the Louisiana Secretary of State! To form a corporation, file Articles of Incorporation and pay the $75 filing fee. To form a Louisiana LLC, file Articles of Organization and pay the $100 fee. Normal processing takes about a week if you mail or fax your documents.

Louisiana requires that LLC and corporation filings include:

– Business name

– Business purpose

– Aggregate number of authorized shares (corporations only)

– Par value of shares (corporations only)

– Full name and post office address of each incorporator (corporations only)

– Duration of business

– Title and electronic signature of filer

You also have the option of filing online at http://www.sos.la.gov/BusinessServices/FileBusinessDocuments/FileOriginalDocuments/Pages/default.aspx

If you want to learn more or don’t want to do the filing yourself, you can incorporate in Louisiana with Northwest Registered Agent.

Business Services

Louisiana Secretary of State
Business Services
8585 Archives Ave.
Baton Rouge, LA 70809

P. O. Box 94125
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9125

P: (225) 925-4704
F: (225) 932-5314

You can register with the Department of Revenue Services a for variety of taxes (sales and use/income tax withholding/franchise tax) online at http://www.revenue.louisiana.gov/sections/business/intro.aspx

You may register by mailing in the paper application form to the Department of Revenue. The Application for Louisiana Revenue Account Number form is available on the Department of Revenue website.

Income Tax:

The corporate tax rate in Louisiana is 4% on the first $25,000 of net income, 5% on the next $25,000, 6% on the next $50,000, 7% on the next $100,000, and 8% on the excess over $200,000.

Louisiana’s individual income tax rate ranges from 4%-6%.

Sales Tax:

The Louisiana sales tax rate is 4%.

Corporation Franchise Tax:

The state of Louisiana imposes a $1.50 tax for each $1,000 or major fraction thereof up to $300,000 of capital and a $3 tax for each $1,000 or major fraction thereof in excess of $300,000 of capital. The initial corporation franchise tax is $10.

Louisiana Department of Revenue

Louisiana Department of Revenue
PO Box 201
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0201
P:(225) 219-7318
http://www.revenue.louisiana.gov/sections/business/default.aspx

There is no state business license but some businesses need a trade or professional license. You can enter your business information online to see what types of state and local licenses you may need  http://www.sos.la.gov/BusinessServices/StartABusiness/CreateABusinessLicenseChecklist/Pages/default.aspx

Any other registration requirements?

Check with the city where you do business to see if they have licensing requirements.

City of Baton Rouge – Parish of East Baton Rouge

You need to get a sales tax license from the city/parish government. You can apply online at http://www.ci.baton-rouge.la.us/dept/finance/registeronline.htm

City of New Orleans – Parish of Orleans

You will need to get an occupation license for your business which you can do online at:  http://www.nola.gov/onestop/business/occupational-general-business/occupational-general-business-license/

Local Licensing Info

City of Baton Rouge – Parish of East Baton Rouge

City of Baton Rouge
Parish of East Baton Rouge
PO Box 2590
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
P: (225) 389- 3084
F: (225) 389- 5369

City of New Orleans – Parish of Orleans

One Stop Shop
7th Floor
1300 Perdido St
New Orleans, LA 70112
P: (504) 658-7100

Do I need to collect Louisiana sales tax?

You will need to register for sales tax if you lease, rent, or sell tangible personal property or furnish certain services in Louisiana.

What is the Louisiana sales tax rate?

The Louisiana state sales tax rate is 4%.

How do I register for Louisiana sales tax?

You can register with the Louisiana Department of Revenue for a variety of taxes, including sales and use tax, online at http://www.revenue.louisiana.gov/sections/business/intro.aspx. Online registrations are completed within 3 days.
You may choose to register by mailing paper application form to the Department of Revenue.

How much does a Louisiana sales tax permit cost?

No fee

Louisiana Department of Revenue

Louisiana Department of Revenue
PO Box 201
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0201
(225) 219-7318
http://www.revenue.louisiana.gov/sections/business/sales.aspx