Perhaps you are hoping to form an LLC in Louisiana. People assume that starting an LLC is difficult and costly. However, it’s generally not difficult, and the cost would vary across states. We have all the info you need to know about the cost of forming an LLC, particularly the LLC cost in Louisiana.
On this page, you’ll learn about the following:
Louisiana LLC Cost of Filing
Here are the costs involved in forming an LLC in Louisiana.
Cost of Filing Formation Certificates
The Louisiana Certificate of Formation is responsible for the majority of the cost, which could also vary depending on whether you’re forming a domestic LLC or a foreign LLC. Still, you can file both at the Louisiana Secretary of State.
Louisiana Domestic LLC
- Online filing costs $100
- Annual Report filing costs $30
- Name Reservation costs $25
- By mail: Fill out the Application Form PDF, and submit it to the following address: State of Louisiana Secretary of State P.O. Box 94125 Baton Rouge, LA 70804.
Louisiana Foreign LLC
- Online filing costs $150
- Annual Report filing costs $30
- Name Reservation costs $25
- By mail: Fill out the Application Form PDF, and submit it to the following address: State of Louisiana Secretary of State P.O. Box 94125 Baton Rouge, LA 70804.
You can visit the Louisiana Secretary of State website to learn more about the forms and fees.
Note that filing online is ideal, not only because you need to go to the Secretary of State office, but also it would be faster. You won’t have to wait in a queue in doing so.
Louisiana LLC Formation Service or Registered Agent Fee
You need a registered agent to form an LLC in Louisiana, hence, added costs for service fees. Here are three of the best LLC services on our list that will provide you with registered agents to ease your worries.
LLC Service | Our Rating & Pricing | Top Features | Learn More |
#1 TOP PICK  | $125 per year |
| |
 | $99 per year |
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Business Permits and Licenses
The business licenses depend on your business’s activity and location and are renewed yearly. As such, the cost will vary. Check the Louisiana Department of Revenue for regulatory boards or agencies requiring licensing.
Louisiana Taxes to be Paid
The business LLCs in the State of Louisiana are subject to different State tax filing obligations. Though the fees may vary from county to county.
Louisiana State Income Tax
This is the State Tax levied on any income you pay to yourself. The tax rate in the State varies between 2% to 6% depending on the total amount of taxable income.
Louisiana Sales tax
The standard rate of sales tax applicable is at the rate of 6.25%. Though the taxes may vary depending on the county and city.
Louisiana Federal Self-Employment Tax
Any profit that Louisiana LLC Business members draw out from the business is liable to pay self-employment tax. The standard tax rate is 15.3%.
Louisiana Payroll tax withholding
If you hire employees in Louisiana, you must withhold payroll tax from their salaries. The standard rate of withholding is 7.65% of the taxable salary of the employees.
Cost Comparison among States
Every state has different costs of filing for an LLC to their respective State Authorities. If you wish to gain a better understanding of the costs of opening an LLC in a different state in comparison to Louisiana, read the table below:
| State | Filing Fee | Annual Fee/Biennial Fee | Sales tax |
| Louisiana LLC | $100 | $30 (annual) | 6.25% |
| Arkansas LLC | $45 | $150 (annual) | 6.50% |
| Mississippi LLC | $50 | $0 | 7.00% |
| Texas LLC | $300 | $0 | 6.25% |
| Oklahoma LLC | $100 | $25 | 4.25% |
Louisiana is a strategically located state with a higher growth rate. The major contributing industries in the State are natural resource production and agriculture, commercial fishing, natural gas, and petroleum.
Other Costs
- Louisiana Name Reservation: $25 for online fillings or by mail
- Doing Business As (DBA): $75 for online filling or if filing by mail
- Certified Document Copies: $15 per document.
- Certified of Good Standing: $20
- Business Domain Name and Website: depend on your preference, but domain name could be as low as $2.99/yr at NameCheap, and web hosting is at least $30/mo at Kinsta.
- Online workspace: at least $4.20/mo for GSuite.
- Business Insurance: would vary depending on insurance type–whether general liability insurance or professional liability insurance–and coverage.
- Dissolution of Louisiana LLC: $75
How Much Does It Cost to Maintain an LLC in Louisiana
To maintain an LLC in Louisiana you will need to pay an annual fee of $30 along with sales tax at 6.25%, income tax at 2% to 6% and federal taxes.
How much does it cost to maintain an LLC in Louisiana? The annual fee for maintaining an LLC in Louisiana depends on the type of business you’re operating. While some industries require annual license renewal, others do not. No matter which type of business you’re running, you’ll need to pay at least $30 per year for an annual report. You can find an extensive list of business forms and fees at the Secretary of State’s website.
Typically, you’ll need to pay one-off and periodic fees for maintaining an LLC in Louisiana. Then, you’ll have to pay fees for obtaining industry-specific or professional licenses. These fees can add up quickly, and it’s not in the best interest of your LLC to skip them altogether. Fortunately, there are a number of affordable business formation services in Louisiana that can handle all of the paperwork for you, including filing the Articles of Organization and serving as your registered agent.
If your LLC employs employees, you’ll also need to pay unemployment insurance. Additionally, you’ll need to file a yearly report with the Department of Revenue. If you’re unsure what your state tax requirements are, you can consult the Louisiana Department of Revenue. A reputable service can prepare your annual report for you for a small fee. You’ll also have to pay for a registered agent, if you have one.
The fee to establish a Louisiana LLC is $100. This fee covers the filing fee, which can range from one to five business days. If you’re a foreign entity, you’ll also need to file an Application for Authority to Transact Business in Louisiana. This fee can reach $150. You can file this application online or in person. Regardless of the method, you’ll need to appoint a registered agent in Louisiana.
Another fee associated with maintaining an LLC is the cost of a registered agent. This professional will provide contact information to the proper authorities and receive important documents relating to your business. They can also assist you with the creation of an LLC operating agreement. These services typically cost $100 to $300 annually. Furthermore, if you’re running your LLC under a different name, you’ll need to register under the trade name. This process is also known as a DBA registration. The fee for this is $75 for online filing and $150 for in-person filing.
If you’re planning to run a business in Louisiana, you should consider creating an operating agreement to detail how the company will operate. An operating agreement will allow you to avoid any misunderstandings or disputes that may arise later. If you’re running a multi-member LLC, an operating agreement is especially important. By creating an operating agreement, you can protect your limited liability and demonstrate that your LLC is a separate entity.
In addition to the annual fees, there are other costs involved. Louisiana requires its companies to pay several types of state taxes. For example, a general sales tax of 4.45% must be paid by a business. This tax is collected from customers and filed with the Department of Revenue. If you’re not sure if your business is subject to sales tax, you can review a checklist that the Louisiana Secretary of State provides to new businesses.
F.A.Qs
It is possible to form an LLC without professional help, but forms still have associated costs, regardless of where your LLC is formed.
It is difficult to say whether forming an LLC is expensive. Nevertheless, the cost could be anywhere from $40 to $500. If you refuse to hire professionals, you’ll still have expenses like form fees to cover.
The need to separate personal money from business funds, thus necessitating the creation of a business bank account for your LLC.
In Conclusion
The cost of Louisiana is much lower compared to other forms of business. Apart from the state filing fees and annual taxes, you might bear the cost of the registered agent. Compare the price of professional LLC services and choose the most affordable one.