How to start an LLC in Louisiana
Louisiana runs its business filings through geauxBIZ, a single state portal that handles formation, the annual report, tax registration and Louisiana Workforce Commission registration in one place, which is more consolidated than most states manage. Louisiana is also the only US state built on a civil law tradition rather than English common law, which shapes some of its business statutes, and it organizes local government into parishes instead of counties, which matters for licensing and any required local publication. This guide covers naming, the registered agent, the geauxBIZ filing itself, tax registration, licensing at the parish level, and the annual report that keeps the LLC in good standing.
Louisiana LLC facts at a glance
| Official filing agency | Louisiana Secretary of State, Commercial Division |
|---|---|
| Formation document | Articles of Organization |
| State filing fee | $100 |
| Filing methods | Online through geauxBIZ, By mail or in person with a paper Articles of Organization, in parishes where paper filing is still accepted |
| Typical processing (recent) | 3-5 business days |
| Typical expedited processing | 24 hours ($50 for 2-4 hours) for an extra $30 |
| Registered agent | Required |
| Annual Report | $30, due Anniversary date |
| Late penalty | Administrative dissolution after 3 years |
| State-level business tax | Franchise tax repealed for LLCs. 4.25% flat corporate income tax if C-Corp elected. |
| Publication requirement | None |
| geauxBIZ as the single portal | geauxBIZ is the Secretary of State's integrated system for forming an entity, filing the annual report, registering with the Department of Revenue, and registering with Louisiana Workforce Commission, rather than separate logins for each agency. |
| Civil law tradition | Louisiana is the only US state whose private law is rooted in the civil law tradition rather than common law, which affects the wording and interpretation of some LLC and contract provisions compared with other states. |
| Parishes, not counties | Louisiana's 64 local government units are called parishes rather than counties, and some local business licenses, occupational licenses and, historically, certain publication requirements run through the parish rather than a county government. |
| Current filing fee | The Articles of Organization fee for a Louisiana LLC is $100 today, and the annual report fee is $30. These are the amounts on the Secretary of State's current fee schedule. |
| Upcoming fee increase, effective October 1, 2026 | Act 921 of the 2026 Regular Legislative Session raises Secretary of State Commercial Division fees on October 1, 2026. For a domestic Louisiana LLC the Articles of Organization fee goes from $100 to $125, and the annual report fee goes from $30 to $35. Filings submitted before that date pay the current amounts; filings on or after October 1, 2026 pay the new amounts. |
Processing times reflect recent official guidance and change often. Check the Louisiana Secretary of State, Commercial Division current processing calendar before you rely on a date.
File it yourself
Louisiana accepts filings directly from business owners. You do not need us, or any other company, to form your LLC. Here is the official portal.
geauxBIZThe Louisiana lessons
- 1Name your Louisiana LLCRequired wording, the distinguishable name standard, and reserving a name through geauxBIZ.
- 2Appoint your Louisiana registered agentWho qualifies, the registered office requirement, and keeping the appointment current between annual reports.
- 3File the Articles of Organization through geauxBIZWhat the filing asks for, the geauxBIZ workflow, and the initial report requirement.
- 4Get an EIN and register with Louisiana Revenue and Workforce agenciesThe free IRS EIN, Louisiana Department of Revenue registration, and Louisiana Workforce Commission for employers.
- 5Louisiana LLC taxes, licenses and parish-level obligationsPass-through income tax, the repealed franchise tax, and how parish government fits into licensing.
- 6Open a bank account and file your Louisiana annual reportWhat banks require, the annual report through geauxBIZ, and what happens if it is missed.
Related Gullia Filing pages
Or let us file your Louisiana LLC for you
Everything above is yours to use for free. If you would rather hand it over, we prepare and file the Articles of Organization, act as your registered agent, and track your ongoing deadlines.
Official sources
- Louisiana geauxBIZ: create, maintain and close your business
- Louisiana Secretary of State: Forms and Fee Schedule
- Louisiana Secretary of State: Commercial Division fee schedule effective October 1, 2026
- Louisiana Secretary of State: Start a Business
- Louisiana Secretary of State: Search for Louisiana Business Filings
- Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 12, Chapter 1: Limited Liability Companies
- Louisiana Department of Revenue: business registration
- Louisiana Department of Revenue: corporation income and franchise tax
- IRS: apply for an Employer Identification Number
- Louisiana Workforce Commission: employer registration
Last reviewed: September 2026 - reviewed by Gullia Filing Legal & Formation Team, Corporate formation specialists and registered agents