Louisiana LLC Cost

In Louisiana, the cost to start an LLC may include the following fees.

Louisiana LLC Filing Fee – $130

Louisiana charges $130 to file Articles of Organization online. That total includes the $125 state filing fee and a $5 convenience fee for card payments. If you want to reserve your business name first, the fee is $25. You may also need a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) when you register with the Louisiana Department of Revenue.

Expedited Processing – $35 or $60

Standard processing is included in the filing fee. If you need your filing done faster, Louisiana charges $35 for 24-hour expedited processing or $60 for priority while-you-wait processing.

Annual Report – $35 per year

Every Louisiana LLC files an annual report with the Secretary of State by the anniversary of its formation date. The state fee is $35, plus the $5 convenience fee if you pay online by card. Our Louisiana annual report guide covers what to include and when it’s due.

Corporation Income Tax – Only if you elect corporate taxation

Louisiana repealed its corporation franchise tax for tax periods beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2026, so new LLCs won’t owe it. If your LLC keeps its default tax treatment, it generally isn’t subject to corporation income tax either. If your LLC elects to be taxed as a corporation with the IRS, Louisiana generally treats it as a corporation for state income tax purposes, at a flat 5.5% rate. LLCs that elect S corporation status may also have a Louisiana filing requirement, so check with a tax professional before you make that election.

Registered Agent Fee – Free

You can act as your own registered agent in Louisiana and avoid paying a fee. But if you name yourself, you must be available during all regular business hours to accept legal notices. Many business owners hire a commercial registered agent for a small recurring fee instead. ZenBusiness offers Louisiana Registered Agent Service. If you change your registered agent later, Louisiana charges $30 to file the change.

The Articles of Organization filing fee, name reservation fee and annual report fee aren’t the only costs to plan for. Your Louisiana LLC might also owe these one-time and as-needed fees.

Certificate of Organization

When the Secretary of State files your Articles of Organization, it issues a Certificate of Organization showing that your company exists. You may need it when you apply for loans or negotiate contracts. Certified copies are $20 each, and additional certificates are $25 each.

Certificate of Good Standing

A Certificate of Good Standing shows that your LLC is current on its state filings, including annual reports. Banks, lenders and other states often ask for one. The Secretary of State charges $25 per certificate.

DBA Name in Louisiana

If your LLC does business under a name other than its official name, that name is a “doing business as” or DBA name. Louisiana calls it a trade name. LLCs register trade names with the Louisiana Secretary of State, either online through geauxBIZ or by mail. The registration fee is $95, and the same form covers trademarks and service marks.

Sole proprietors and general partnerships also file their trade names with the Clerk of Court in their parish. LLCs don’t need that local filing.

Foreign LLC

If you formed your LLC in another state and want to do business in Louisiana, you’ll need to register it as a foreign LLC. To do that, file an Application of Foreign Limited Liability Company with the Secretary of State. The filing fee is $185.

Business Licensing

The cost to start a business in Louisiana also depends on what your business does and where it operates. You might need to pay fees for:

• Business licenses
• Permits
• Registrations

These fees can apply at the local, state and federal levels. The Louisiana Secretary of State provides a checklist for new businesses, but figuring out which licenses apply to you can be tricky. That’s why we worked with Avalara to offer a custom Business License Report that lists the licenses, permits and registrations your business needs.

ZenBusiness can form your Louisiana LLC for $0 plus state fees, with no LegalZoom promo code required. See how our LLC formation service works.

Louisiana doesn’t charge a separate late fee for a missed annual report, but falling behind still has consequences. If your LLC doesn’t file its annual report for three years in a row, the Secretary of State can revoke its Articles of Organization. To get back into good standing, you’ll need to file for reinstatement with the Secretary of State.

If you don’t pay the filing fee, the Secretary of State won’t file your documents. Without filed Articles of Organization, your LLC isn’t legally formed, and you could face the same personal liability as a sole proprietor or general partner.

You pay the Articles of Organization filing fee to the Louisiana Secretary of State. When you form your LLC with ZenBusiness, the state fee you pay at checkout goes straight to the state.

The Articles of Organization filing fee, $130, is usually the largest state fee you’ll pay to form a Louisiana LLC. Your total cost can run higher depending on your industry, your location and the licenses, permits or professional services your business needs.

If you file online, you can pay by credit card, and Louisiana adds a $5 convenience fee. If you file by mail, you can pay by check or money order. The Secretary of State’s office also accepts cash when you file in person.