Best LLC Formation Services in Louisiana

Louisiana is a civil law state, the only one in the U.S., which means its LLC statutes differ from every other state. Your operating agreement is not legally required, but Louisiana courts interpret member disputes differently than common-law states, so having one matters more than usual.

The state currently imposes a franchise tax starting at $110, but the legislature repealed it for all tax periods beginning on or after January 1, 2026. If you form your LLC in late 2026, you will still owe the initial franchise tax for that period.

Louisiana does not offer anonymous LLCs or series LLCs. If privacy is your primary goal, Delaware or Wyoming will serve you better. Louisiana is built for founders who actually operate in the state.

Paper filings in Louisiana must be notarized, but online filings through geauxBIZ skip that requirement entirely. Every formation service on this list files online, so notarization is not something you need to worry about.

1. Initial Report (filed simultaneously). Louisiana requires an Initial Report to be filed at the same time as your Articles of Organization. Most formation services handle this automatically at no extra cost.
2. Get your EIN from the IRS. The geauxBIZ portal requires an EIN before filing, so you may already have one. If your formation service obtained it for you, confirm you have the official IRS notice (Form CP 575).
3. File your Annual Report by your anniversary month each year. The fee is $30, and you file through the Secretary of State's office. Missing it does not trigger a late fee, but your LLC loses good standing and faces administrative dissolution after 3 consecutive years of non-filing.
4. Register for Louisiana state taxes. Louisiana has both a state income tax and a 5% state sales tax. If you sell taxable goods or services, register with the Louisiana Department of Revenue for a sales tax account.
5. File a BOI report with FinCEN. Most LLCs formed in 2026 must file a Beneficial Ownership Information report within 90 days of formation. This is a federal requirement, not state-specific, but missing the deadline carries penalties up to $591 per day.
6. Check local licensing requirements. Louisiana has no general state business license, but parishes and municipalities often require occupational licenses or permits. Check with your local parish clerk's office before you start operating.

• Franchise Tax ($110 initial) - This is a separate cost from your filing fee and catches many new LLC owners off guard, though it disappears for tax periods starting in 2026.
• Name Reservation Fee ($25) - Louisiana's geauxBIZ portal requires a name reservation before you can file, and it costs $25 on top of the $100 filing fee.
• Reinstatement Fee ($75 plus back reports) - If your LLC falls out of good standing, you will pay $75 plus all delinquent annual report fees at $30 each to reinstate.
• Good Standing Certificate ($20) - If you need a certificate of good standing for a bank account or contract, the Secretary of State charges $20.