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Louisiana LLC Filing Requirements and Fees

Depending on the unique facets of your business, you’ll be required to pay certain fees and fulfill various filing requirements.

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Filing Fees & Requirements

    How Much Does Starting a Louisiana LLC Cost?

    Legal business registration — and keeping your business in good standing — involves some necessary expenses. Some of these costs are payable to the Louisiana Secretary of State (SOS), while others are due to the federal or other state government entity. We’ve summarized some of the most common requirements and fees here.


    Note that Louisiana business license and permit fees may need to be paid when you first form your business, on an ongoing schedule or on an ad hoc basis. Find more details below.

    Initial Louisiana LLC Fees

    When you first start your business, you’ll need to file as an LLC with the Secretary of State and pay a filing fee. Here are the current Louisiana LLC fees and filing times:

    State Fee

    $105*

    State Filling Time

    4 Weeks

    Expedited Filing Time

    2 Business Days

    *includes online processing fees


    When you form through Bizee, we collect this fee from you and forward it to the Louisiana SOS when we file your formation paperwork.

    Bizee Can File Your Formation Paperwork For You For Free — Just Pay the Louisiana LLC Filing Fee

    Form Your LLC Through Bizee Today
    Business Formation

    Louisiana Allows You to Form Your LLC More Quickly by Paying a Rush Fee

    View Expedited Fees for Louisiana
    Ongoing Filing Requirements
    Employer Identification Number

    Every LLC in the U.S. should have a unique Employer Identification Number (EIN). This is provided by the Internal Revenue Service, and you use it when you file taxes, open a business bank account and pay employees. You can get one yourself at no cost from the IRS, or have Bizee do it for you.

    Get an EIN for Your LLC Through Bizee
    Foreign LLCs

    When you want to do business in a state other than the one where your business is based, you must create a foreign LLC.

    Louisiana Foreign LLC Registration

    Before you can bring an extension of your business from another state into Louisiana, you must request Louisiana Foreign Qualification. This means the state gives you permission to conduct business there.


    To request registration of a Louisiana Foreign LLC, you must complete an Application for Authority to Transact Business in Louisiana and pay a $150 filing fee. The state may have additional requirements so contact the Louisiana SOS for more information.

    Foreign Qualification to Operate in Another State

    If you plan to expand your Louisiana LLC into another state, you’ll first need Foreign Qualification or a Certificate of Authority from that state. This is necessary if you'll have a physical presence, employees or banking in that state.


    This process will likely entail completing an application and paying a filing fee, but each state has its own requirements. Before you move forward, compare state filing times and state filing fees so you can plan accordingly. Contact the state government entity that administers business (usually the Secretary of State) to confirm their requirements and for specific instructions.


    If you need assistance, Bizee provides complete Foreign Qualification service for all states.

    Get Foreign Qualification or a Certificate of Authority Through Bizee
    Annual Report Requirements

    Most states — including Louisiana — require businesses to file an annual (or other periodic) report with the Secretary of State. When you file your annual report, you’ll need to pay a fee of $30. Here are the Louisiana annual report filing requirements:

    Frequency

    Annually

    Due Date

    On or before 1st day of anniversary month of organization

    Filing Fee

    $35

    Filing Fee

    There is no charge for the Public Information Report. The Franchise Tax Fee is based on the revenue of the LLC.

    Bizee Can Also Complete and File Your Louisiana Annual Report on Your Behalf

    Bizee’s Annual Report Filing Service
    Annual Report
    Louisiana Business License and Permit Requirements

    As a business owner,you must ensure you have the proper state, federal or local business licenses to operate your LLC. Some of the associated fees only need to be paid once, while others are ongoing charges.

    Permits and licenses vary based on:

    1. The industry your LLC operates in (e.g., restaurants will need health permits)
    2. The location of your LLC (county or city) (e.g., a license to conduct business from the city of Baton Rouge)
    3. The type of business you run (e.g., healthcare providers must meet HIPAA requirements)

    Remember that operating your business without the required licenses can expose you to risks and fines from federal, state and local governments.

    You can research these permits and licenses yourself, or use Bizee’s Business License Research package, which includes:

    • A complete report on all the licenses, permits and tax registrations your LLC will need
    • The application forms you will need to file with the state, regional and federal licensing authorities
    Use Bizee’s Business License Research Package
    Operating Agreements

    The state doesn't require you to have a Louisiana LLC Operating Agreement in place.


    An Operating Agreement is a document that covers how the business will be run, how managers and members are chosen, rights and duties of members and several other key areas.


    This document can be extremely helpful in making sure you’re organized and prepared for any future events that may affect your business.

    Bizee Can Draft a General Operating Agreement Template When You Form Your Business.

    You can make changes to the template later based on your specific requirements and preferences.

    Learn About Operating Agreements
    Operating Agreement
    Other Potential Louisiana LLC Fees or Requirements

    There are several other fees or requirements that you may need to pay or meet during the life of your LLC. These ad hoc fees will only be payable in specific circumstances, which we’ve listed below.

    Obtaining a Trade Name or DBA

    If you want to establish a Louisiana DBA (trade name), you must file a form with the Secretary of State. You’ll need to pay a filing fee of $75.

    Bizee Can File Your Trade Name or DBA Forms on Your Behalf

    Bizee’s DBA Service
    Assumed business name document

    Changing the Registered Agent

    You must appoint a Louisiana Registered Agent when you file your Articles of Organization. You can also switch to a new Registered Agent later by filing a form and paying a $25 fee.

    Choose Bizee to Serve as Your Registered Agent.

    It’s free for the first year if you form your LLC with us, and $119 a year after.

    Bizee’s Registered Agent Service
    Registered Agent

    Reserving a Name for Your LLC

    If you don’t want to form your LLC right away, you can reserve a business name for 120 days with the Louisiana SOS for a fee of $25. First, perform a Louisiana business search and learn about rules pertaining to business names to ensure the name you choose meets all state requirements.

    Amending Certain Facts About Your LLC

    Your business formation documents state certain facts about your Louisiana business when it's formed. Over time, these facts may change. If they do, you need to file Articles of Amendment on the GeauxBIZ website and pay a $100 fee. You can do this yourself or have Bizee complete the filing on your behalf.

    You may want to file Articles of Amendment when you:

    • Add, remove or change an LLC member or manager
    • Change the business address of your LLC
    • Alter the stated business activities of your LLC
    Bizee’s Amendment Filing Service

    Getting a Louisiana Certificate of Good Standing

    Some organizations will request that you prove your LLC’s compliance with laws and tax requirements. If you need to prove you have met your commitments, you’ll need a Certificate of Good Standing from the Louisiana SOS. You can order one online for a $20 fee.

    Bizee Can Obtain a Louisiana Certificate of Good Standing on Your Behalf

    Certificate of Good Standing Service
    Certificate of Good Standing

    The fees listed above detail many of the charges a standard LLC will be required to pay in Louisiana. In some unusual circumstances, there may be other one-off, periodic or ad hoc fees not listed above.


    Of course, your LLC will also likely need to pay self-employment, payroll, federal, state and sales taxes. More information about taxes can be found on the Louisiana Business Taxes page.

    FAQs About Louisiana LLC Fees

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