Louisiana LLC Formation

Start an LLC in Louisiana — $100 State Fee, $35/Year Annual Report

Louisiana is a dynamic business state with a diverse economy — from New Orleans's booming tourism and hospitality industry to Baton Rouge's petrochemical and manufacturing hub, Shreveport's growing healthcare sector, and a rapidly expanding film and tech economy. With a recently simplified income tax structure, affordable ongoing costs, and a straightforward formation process, Louisiana is a solid foundation for entrepreneurs in the Pelican State. Brendat handles your Articles of Organization, EIN, registered agent, and all compliance.

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Step-by-step guide

How to Form an LLC in Louisiana

Six clear steps — no publication requirement, $35/year annual report, recently reduced income tax rates. Brendat handles everything while you focus on your business.

Choose a Name for Your Louisiana LLC

Your Louisiana LLC name must be unique among all businesses registered with the Louisiana Secretary of State and must include a required designator.

Louisiana Naming Rules:

Must include: "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C."
Cannot use: Words implying a government agency (e.g., "FBI," "State Department")
Restricted words: "Bank," "Insurance," "University" require additional approval
Must be distinguishable: From all existing Louisiana business names in the SOS database

Name Reservation Available

You can reserve your Louisiana LLC name for 60 days with the Louisiana SOS for $25. Brendat checks name availability before filing your Articles of Organization.

Appoint a Louisiana Registered Agent

Every Louisiana LLC must designate a registered agent — called an "Agent for Service of Process" in Louisiana — an individual or company with a physical Louisiana street address who receives legal documents and official notices during regular business hours.

Who can be your registered agent?

Yourself: Must have a physical Louisiana address and be available during business hours
A trusted individual: Any Louisiana resident with a physical address
A professional service: Like Brendat — keeps your personal address off public records

Brendat provides registered agent (Agent for Service of Process) service in Louisiana

Our Louisiana address is listed on your Articles of Organization. Included in Standard and Premium packages.

File Articles of Organization with the Louisiana Secretary of State

The Articles of Organization officially creates your Louisiana LLC. You file it with the Louisiana Secretary of State — online via the Louisiana geauxBIZ portal or by mail.

Method	Fee	Processing Time
Online via geauxBIZ portal	$100	3–5 business days
By Mail	$100	4–6 weeks
Expedited (24-hour)	$100 + $30	Next business day

No publication requirement in Louisiana

Louisiana does not require LLCs to publish a formation notice in any newspaper. Once your Articles of Organization are approved, your LLC is fully formed — no additional publication steps needed.

Create an Operating Agreement

Louisiana does not legally require an operating agreement, but it is strongly recommended for all Louisiana LLCs. It establishes ownership, profit sharing, and management rules and protects your liability shield.

Your operating agreement should cover:

Ownership structure: Each member's percentage and capital contribution
Profit distribution: How and when profits are divided
Management: Who makes decisions and how voting works
Member changes: Process for adding or removing members
Dissolution: Steps to close the LLC if needed

Included in Brendat Standard and Premium

Brendat provides a professionally drafted Louisiana operating agreement with your formation documents.

Get Your EIN (Employer Identification Number)

An EIN is your LLC's federal tax ID — required to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file taxes. You apply through the IRS for free.

US residents: Apply free online at IRS.gov — instant approval
Non-US residents: Apply by fax using IRS Form SS-4 — 4–6 weeks
Brendat handles this: Included in Standard and Premium packages

Open a business bank account right after

With your EIN and Articles of Organization, open a dedicated Louisiana business bank account to keep personal and business finances separate.

File Your Louisiana Annual Report

Louisiana LLCs must file an annual report every year with the Louisiana Secretary of State to stay in good standing. At just $35 per year, it's one of the most affordable annual report fees in the South.

Annual report fee: $35/year
Due date: By the anniversary month of your LLC's formation each year
Filing: Online via Louisiana geauxBIZ portal
Late penalty: $30 late fee + potential loss of good standing

Anniversary Month Deadline

Louisiana's annual report is due in your LLC's formation anniversary month each year — not a fixed calendar date like April 15. Brendat tracks your specific anniversary month and sends reminders in advance so you never miss it.

Transparent pricing

How Much Does a Louisiana LLC Cost?

Full breakdown — affordable to form and maintain.

State Filing Fee

$100

One-time Articles of Organization fee paid to the Louisiana Secretary of State via geauxBIZ portal

Annual Report Fee

$35/yr

Due in your LLC's anniversary month each year. $30 late fee if missed. One of the lowest in the South

State Income Tax

3%–4.25%

Recently reduced graduated rate. LLC pass-through income taxed at these rates on members' personal returns

Registered Agent

Included in Brendat Standard & Premium packages. Every Louisiana LLC must maintain an Agent for Service of Process

EIN (Federal Tax ID)

Free from the IRS. Included in Brendat Standard & Premium packages

Publication Requirement

No newspaper publication requirement in Louisiana

Total with Brendat Standard Plan

$149 + $75 state fee

$149 Brendat + $100 Louisiana state fee · Annual report just $35/year from year 2

Choose your plan

Louisiana LLC Formation Packages

All packages include accurate, state-specific filing. Pick what fits your needs.

Basic

Brendat service fee

+ $75 Louisiana state fee

Get Started Free

Articles of Organization filed
Name availability check
Email support
Digital copy of filed documents

Standard

$149

Brendat service fee

+ $75 Louisiana state fee

Start for $149 →

Everything in Basic
EIN / Federal Tax ID
Operating Agreement
Registered Agent (1 year)
Anniversary month reminders
Priority processing

Premium

$299

Brendat service fee

+ $75 Louisiana state fee

Get Premium

Everything in Standard
Business bank account setup
Compliance calendar & reminders
Annual report filing (year 1)
Dedicated account manager
Phone & priority support

State Comparison

Is Louisiana the Right State for Your LLC?

Louisiana is best if you live or operate there. Here's how it compares to neighboring Gulf South states.

Feature	Louisiana	Mississippi	Arkansas	Alabama
State Filing Fee	$100	$50	$45	$200
Annual Report Fee	$35/yr	$0	$150/yr	$100/yr BPT
State Income Tax	3%–4.25%	4.7% flat	4.4% flat	2%–5%
Publication Required	None	None	None	None
Processing Time	3–5 days	~3 days	3–5 days	3–5 days
Best For	LA businesses	MS businesses	AR businesses	AL businesses

Louisiana's 3%–4.25% income tax — lowest bracket in the Gulf South

Louisiana's recently reduced income tax rates make it one of the more tax-competitive states in the Gulf South region. The 3% bottom rate is particularly attractive for LLC owners in lower income brackets.

Why choose us

Why 10,000+ Entrepreneurs Choose Brendat

Fast Filing

We submit your Louisiana Articles of Organization within 1 business day of your order. Standard processing takes 3–5 business days. 24-hour expedited available for $30 extra.

100% Accuracy Guarantee

Every filing is reviewed before submission. If the Louisiana SOS rejects your documents due to our error, we fix it at no charge.

Privacy First

Your home address stays off the public record. We list our Louisiana registered agent address on all your formation documents.

Anniversary Month Reminders

Louisiana's $35 annual report is due in your LLC's formation anniversary month — not a fixed date. We track your specific month and send reminders so you never miss it.

Non-US Residents Welcome

No citizenship or US residency required. We assist international entrepreneurs with the full process including EIN filing via IRS Form SS-4.

Real Support

Reach our team at (303) 246-8693 or by email. Plain English answers — no jargon, no runaround.

Our reviews

What Our Louisiana LLC Customers Say

Marie C.

Hospitality LLC, New Orleans LA

"Brendat set up my New Orleans hospitality LLC in under a week. The anniversary month reminder system is great — Louisiana's deadline isn't a fixed date so I would have missed it!"

David B.

Consulting LLC, Baton Rouge LA

"Only $35/year for the annual report — Louisiana's ongoing costs are very manageable. Brendat made forming my Baton Rouge consulting LLC fast and completely professional."

Jessica P.

Tech LLC, Shreveport LA

"Brendat handled everything for my Shreveport tech startup — Articles of Organization, EIN, and registered agent all sorted in one go. Excellent experience start to finish!"

Common questions

Louisiana LLC — Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most common questions about forming and running an LLC in Louisiana.

Still have questions?

(303) 246-8693

How much does it cost to form an LLC in Louisiana?

The Louisiana state filing fee is $75 (Articles of Organization). Brendat's service starts at $0 (Basic) or $149 (Standard). Total first-year cost with Standard is $249. Louisiana's annual report is $35/year, due in your LLC's anniversary month each year. A $30 late fee applies if missed.

What is Louisiana's annual report deadline for LLCs?

Louisiana's annual report is due in your LLC's formation anniversary month each year — not a fixed calendar date. For example, if your LLC was formed in June, your annual report is due every June. The fee is $35/year. A $30 late fee applies if missed. Brendat tracks your specific anniversary month and sends reminders in advance.

What is Louisiana's income tax rate for LLCs?

Louisiana recently reduced its personal income tax rates. The current rates are 3% on the first $12,500 of net income and 4.25% on income above $12,500. For single-member LLCs and multi-member LLCs taxed as pass-throughs, income flows to members' personal returns at these rates. Louisiana's reduced rates make it one of the more tax-competitive states in the Gulf South.

What is Louisiana's "Agent for Service of Process"?

Louisiana uses the term "Agent for Service of Process" for what most other states call a registered agent. The function is identical — a person or company with a physical Louisiana address who receives legal documents and official state notices on behalf of your LLC. Brendat serves as your Agent for Service of Process in Louisiana.

Does Louisiana require newspaper publication for LLCs?

No. Louisiana does not require LLCs to publish a formation notice in any newspaper. Once your Articles of Organization are approved by the Louisiana Secretary of State, your LLC is fully formed with no additional publication steps needed.

Can a non-US resident form a Louisiana LLC?

Yes. There is no US citizenship or residency requirement to form a Louisiana LLC. Non-residents need an Agent for Service of Process with a physical Louisiana address (Brendat provides this). For your EIN, non-residents must apply by fax using IRS Form SS-4. Brendat assists with the complete process.

Ready to Start Your Louisiana LLC?

$100 to form, $35/year to maintain, 3%–4.25% income tax, no publication requirement. Brendat handles your Articles of Organization, EIN, registered agent, and anniversary month reminders.

Form My Louisiana LLC

$149 + $75 LA fee · $35/yr annual report · 100% accuracy guarantee