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  | $49 + State Fees |
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 | $299 + State Fees |
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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.
In Louisiana, LLCs must file annual reports. These are usually filed online and cost $30 each. They must include the name of the LLC’s principal office, the name and address of the registered agent, and the names of the LLC’s members and managers. A signature is required for each report. Failure to file an annual report may result in a 25% penalty, loss of good standing, and suspension of operations.
In addition to the annual report, LLCs must file an operating agreement with the Louisiana Secretary of State. This document lays down the long-term intentions of the members and details the day-to-day operations. It also outlines the financial obligations of each member, and it helps prevent business disputes. If there are any members who do not agree with one another, an operating agreement may be necessary.
The next step in forming an LLC in Louisiana is choosing the trade name for the company. LLC names should include “limited liability company” or “LLC”. You may choose to register your trade name with the Louisiana Secretary of State online. If you don’t want to do this yourself, you can use an agent service, such as ZenBusiness, to do the work for you.
Filing annual reports in Louisiana is easy. You simply need to log into geauxBIZ and fill out the required information. The filing fee is $30. You should file the annual report every year by the anniversary date of your LLC. Filing it on time is important to keep your business in good standing with the state.
Other expenses associated with operating an LLC in Louisiana include taxes. Generally, LLCs are considered “pass-through” entities and their owners are taxed on the income received from the business. However, you can elect to opt for different tax treatment for your LLC if you wish. In Louisiana, LLCs must pay sales and use taxes to the state.
Another important cost of operating an LLC in Louisiana is the registration fees. These fees may vary. If you are thinking of starting an LLC in Louisiana, you should check the state’s website. There are also state-specific taxes, including employment taxes, which are imposed on businesses. Additionally, a registered agent is required for all LLCs.
Another important expense that can increase the cost of running an LLC in Louisiana is a registered agent. This person acts as a middleman between the state and the business, accepting legal notices and serving as an authorized person. Using a registered agent service will save you the hassle of keeping up with the required filings and can protect you against penalties if you miss a filing.
To establish your LLC in Louisiana, you must first file the Articles of Organization and Initial Report. Depending on your business needs, you can choose from two types of LLC applications: standard and expedited. If you need to file documents faster, you can opt for the expedited option, which costs $130 for one day or $150 for four-hour processing. In Louisiana, you can choose to file your application by mail or in person at the state’s website.
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.