$130 to form your Louisiana LLC
$100 state filing fee · $30annual report. 5-year cost of ownership: $250.
By Aissam Baidi · Reviewed against www.sos.la.gov · Verified 2026-05-30
How much does a Louisiana LLC cost in 2026? A Louisiana LLC costs $130 in year one ($100 filing fee for the Articles of Organization). Ongoing cost is $30/year ($30 annual report). Five-year total: $250. Standard processing takes about 3 business days; expedite for $30 extra. At $130, Louisiana runs $25 below the US median of $155 for year-one LLC costs, making it one of the cheaper states to form in. Louisiana sits in the mid-range for LLC formation costs, competitive enough for in-state operators with no major surprise fees beyond what's listed here. Sourced from www.sos.la.gov, verified 2026-05-30.
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Louisiana vs the rest of the US
Year-1 LLC cost in Louisiana is $130. That's $95 more than the cheapest state (Montana). Form there if you can register your business out-of-state.
All figures are year-1 LLC formation cost (state filing fee + first-year report fee + first-year franchise tax). Sourced quarterly from each state's Secretary of State office.
5-year cumulative cost projection
How Louisiana's LLC cost compares against the popular "shop another state" alternatives over 5 years of ownership. Steeper line = higher recurring cost.
All 50 states + DC, by 5-year LLC cost
Heat-map of 5-year ownership cost across the US. Click any state to see its full breakdown. Cheapest in green, most expensive in dark red.
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5-year cost = year-1 (state filing + first-year report + first-year franchise tax) + 4 years of ongoing (annual/biennial report + franchise tax). Sourced quarterly from each Secretary of State.
Where would you save the most?
Filing in Montana instead of Louisiana could save you about $215 over 5 years (86% lower total).
Cross-state filing requires foreign qualification in the state you actually operate from, which adds $50-$300/year in fees plus a registered agent in each jurisdiction. Run the math before deciding.
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Louisiana LLC formation, decoded
11,800 LLCs formed in Louisiana in 2025 • Top industries: energy, tourism and hospitality, logistics and trade
Louisiana's business climate is characterized by its strategic location for international trade, robust energy sector, and growing tourism industry, offering diverse opportunities for entrepreneurs.
Located in the Southeast region, Louisiana shares borders with Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi, making it a gateway for Gulf Coast commerce and a hub for regional distribution.
Louisiana requires a name reservation as a mandatory step *before* filing the Articles of Organization, which is not common in many other states.
Before drafting your Articles of Organization in Louisiana, ensure you've formally reserved your desired LLC name with the Secretary of State, as it's a prerequisite for filing.
Louisiana requires a $30 annual report to keep the LLC in good standing. Filing on time avoids late penalties and administrative dissolution.
Full Louisiana LLC cost guide
Louisiana LLC Cost: $100 Filing + $30 Annual Report (2026)
Forming an LLC in Louisiana costs $100 to file Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State and $30 per year for the annual report (online) or $35 by mail. Louisiana repealed its corporation franchise tax for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, and LLCs taxed as partnerships were never subject to it. The state has no LLC publication requirement and no business privilege tax. Five-year cost of ownership (DIY, online): $250. Louisiana’s repeal of the franchise tax under Act 11 (2024 Special Session) moves it from a middle-pack state into the low-cost tier alongside Texas and Florida.
Reviewed by LLC Formation Cost Editorial Team, fact-checked against primary government sources • Last updated 2026-05-30 • 5 primary government sources cited
TL;DR
Louisiana LLCs file Articles of Organization with the Louisiana Secretary of State for $100, with an Initial Report (Form 973) filed concurrently at no additional fee. The annual report is $30 online ($35 by mail) and due on the LLC’s formation anniversary each year. Louisiana repealed its corporation franchise tax effective January 1, 2026 under Act 11 of the 2024 Third Extraordinary Session, eliminating what had been a $50-$110/yr cost for LLCs electing C-corp status. Pass-through LLCs were never subject to the franchise tax. Louisiana has a state personal income tax (3.0% flat rate starting 2025 following 2024 tax reform) on pass-through profits but no entity-level tax for default-classified LLCs. Online filings via the geauxBIZ portal are processed in 1-3 business days; expedited service available for $30.
Louisiana LLC cost breakdown (2026)
| Line item | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | $100 | sos.la.gov |
| Initial Report (Form 973) | $0 (filed concurrently) | sos.la.gov |
| Annual Report (online) | $30/yr | sos.la.gov |
| Annual Report (mail) | $35/yr | sos.la.gov |
| Franchise tax (LLCs default-taxed) | $0 (repealed 2026) | revenue.louisiana.gov |
| Expedited processing (optional) | $30 | sos.la.gov |
| Registered Agent service (optional) | $50-$200/yr | private market |
| Year 1 total (DIY online) | $130 | ($100 + $30 first annual report) |
| Year 2+ ongoing (DIY online) | $30/yr | |
| 5-year total (DIY online) | $250 |
All figures verified 2026-05-30 from primary Louisiana state sources.
Why Louisiana just got cheaper
Louisiana’s corporation franchise tax was a long-standing complaint among multi-state operators. Pre-2026, the tax applied at $1.50 per $1,000 of capital for the first $300,000 and $3.00 per $1,000 thereafter, with a $110 minimum for entities owning $1,000+ in Louisiana property. LLCs electing C-corp status owed the franchise tax; default pass-through LLCs did not.
Act 11 of the 2024 Third Extraordinary Session (signed November 22, 2024) repealed the franchise tax entirely for franchise-tax periods beginning on or after January 1, 2026. The repeal applies to all entity types, eliminating both the minimum tax and the calculated tax. For LLCs, this means:
- C-corp-elected LLCs, save $110-$thousands/yr depending on Louisiana capital.
- Default pass-through LLCs, no change, never owed the franchise tax in the first place.
- Holding LLCs with substantial Louisiana real property, save the property-based franchise calculation.
Combined with the 2024 individual income tax reform (replacing the graduated 1.85%-4.25% with a flat 3.0% effective 2025) and the unchanged $100 filing fee, Louisiana now sits in the cheap-state tier for LLC ownership. The 5-year DIY total of $250 (formation + 5 annual reports) is among the lowest in the country, beating Wyoming’s $400 and matching Mississippi’s range. Source: Louisiana Department of Revenue franchise tax page, verified 2026-05-30.
Filing steps (DIY, no service)
- Pick a name, search availability at the Louisiana SOS Business Filings Search. Names must include “Limited Liability Company,” “L.L.C.,” or “LLC.”
- Designate a registered agent, must have a Louisiana street address (La. R.S. § 12:1308). You can act as your own agent if you reside in Louisiana.
- File Articles of Organization plus Initial Report, $100 total. File online via geauxBIZ or by mail to Commercial Division, Louisiana Secretary of State, P.O. Box 94125, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9125.
- Get a federal EIN, free at irs.gov.
- Draft an operating agreement, not required by Louisiana law but recommended. La. R.S. § 12:1318 recognizes operating agreements as binding between members.
- Register for Louisiana state taxes, sales tax registration ($0) via revenue.louisiana.gov if selling tangible goods, employer withholding registration if hiring employees.
- Check parish (county) licensing, Louisiana parishes (Orleans, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson) may require local business licenses or occupational permits. Check the parish clerk’s office.
- Open a business bank account, Louisiana banks (Hancock Whitney, IberiaBank/First Horizon, Capital One Louisiana) require the filed Articles, Initial Report, EIN letter, and operating agreement.
- File FinCEN BOI report, required under the federal Corporate Transparency Act within 30 days of formation. Free at fincen.gov/boi.
- Calendar the annual report, due on the LLC’s anniversary month each year. $30 online via geauxBIZ.
Online filings via geauxBIZ are processed in 1-3 business days standard. Expedited service is $30 additional for 24-hour turnaround. Source: Louisiana SOS Commercial Division, verified 2026-05-30.
Page-unique facts
- Louisiana’s franchise tax was repealed effective tax year 2026. Act 11 of the 2024 Third Extraordinary Session eliminated the corporation franchise tax for all entities beginning January 1, 2026. Pass-through LLCs were never subject to it; C-corp-elected LLCs benefit directly. Source: Louisiana Department of Revenue.
- Louisiana files an Initial Report with the Articles of Organization at no charge. Form 973 (Initial Report) is filed concurrently with the Articles, listing the registered agent and registered office, members or managers, and principal business address. No separate fee, no separate deadline (it’s filed at formation). This is uncommon; most states either don’t have an Initial Report or charge separately.
- Louisiana operates on civil law, not common law. Louisiana is the only US state whose legal system descends from the French Napoleonic Code rather than English common law. LLC formation is governed by Title 12 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes (the Limited Liability Company Law), enacted 1992. Operating agreement interpretation and creditor remedies follow civil-law conventions distinct from the other 49 states.
- Louisiana parishes can charge separate occupational license taxes. Beyond state-level fees, parishes (Orleans Parish in particular) levy occupational license taxes based on gross receipts, ranging from $50 to $7,500+ depending on business type and revenue. Source: Louisiana Department of Revenue, occupational license tax overview.
- Louisiana adopted Series LLC structure in 2019. Under La. R.S. § 12:1356, Louisiana authorizes Series LLCs with one master filing covering multiple internal series. Each series can hold separate assets and liabilities. Less common than Delaware or Texas Series LLCs but available.
FAQ
Did Louisiana really repeal its franchise tax?
Yes, but only for franchise-tax periods beginning on or after January 1, 2026. Act 11 of the 2024 Third Extraordinary Session (signed November 22, 2024 by Governor Landry) repealed La. R.S. § 47:601 (the franchise tax statute) effective tax year 2026. LLCs that elected C-corp status and were paying the franchise tax in 2024 and 2025 still owe those years’ taxes; only periods starting January 1, 2026 and after are eliminated. Source: Louisiana Department of Revenue, Act 11 guidance, verified 2026-05-30.
When is my Louisiana LLC annual report due?
On the anniversary month of your LLC’s formation each year. An LLC formed January 15, 2026 owes its first annual report by January 31, 2027, then January 31 every year thereafter. Online filings via geauxBIZ are $30; mail filings are $35. Missing the deadline triggers a $30 late fee and eventual revocation of “active and in good standing” status after 90 days delinquent. Source: Louisiana SOS Annual Report info.
Do I need a parish (county) business license in Louisiana?
It depends on the parish. Orleans Parish (New Orleans), East Baton Rouge, and Jefferson Parish all levy occupational license taxes on most businesses based on gross receipts. Rural parishes may have minimal or no occupational tax. Check directly with the parish clerk’s office or revenue department where your LLC operates. The state-level Louisiana SOS filing does not exempt you from parish licensing. Source: Louisiana Department of Revenue, occupational license overview.
Is Louisiana’s civil-law system a problem for LLCs?
Generally no, but occasionally yes. Louisiana’s LLC Law (La. R.S. Title 12 Chapter 22, enacted 1992) follows the same general structure as common-law-state LLC statutes, members, managers, operating agreements, charging orders. Where civil law differs: contract interpretation can favor “intent of the parties” over strict textual reading more readily than common-law states; succession (inheritance) of membership interests follows Louisiana forced-heirship rules; and certain creditor remedies use civil-law terminology. Multi-state operators with Louisiana operations often choose to form in a common-law state (Texas, Mississippi, Wyoming) and qualify as a foreign LLC in Louisiana to keep their governing law in common law. Source: Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 12 Chapter 22.
Can I form an anonymous Louisiana LLC?
No, Louisiana requires the registered agent name and address on the public Articles of Organization (via Form 973 Initial Report), and the annual report lists members or managers. For statutory member anonymity, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Delaware are stronger jurisdictions. Source: La. R.S. § 12:1305.
Does Louisiana require an operating agreement?
No, La. R.S. § 12:1318 does not require LLCs to adopt an operating agreement, though it explicitly recognizes oral or written operating agreements as binding between members. Banks (Hancock Whitney, IberiaBank/First Horizon, Capital One Louisiana) typically require a written agreement to open a business checking account. Civil-law contract principles apply to operating agreement interpretation in Louisiana courts. Source: La. R.S. § 12:1318.
Louisiana parish-level taxes and the occupational license trap
Louisiana parishes (the state’s equivalent of counties) levy occupational license taxes that vary dramatically by location and business type. Orleans Parish (New Orleans) is the most aggressive: occupational license tax under Orleans Parish Ordinance Chapter 150 ranges from $50 (low-receipt service businesses) to over $7,500 for high-revenue retailers, calculated on a sliding scale based on prior-year gross receipts. East Baton Rouge Parish charges $60 minimum with sliding scales for higher-revenue businesses. Jefferson Parish charges occupational license fees ranging $50-$2,500. Smaller rural parishes (Cameron, Madison, Tensas) often charge a flat $50 or nothing. The state SOS filing does not satisfy parish requirements, parish licensing is a separate registration and renewal process administered by each parish’s revenue department or finance office. Failure to obtain a parish occupational license can result in fines, business closure orders, and ineligibility for parish-administered programs. New LLC operators in Louisiana should contact the parish revenue office where the business operates within 30 days of formation to obtain the required licenses. Source: Louisiana Municipal Association directory of parish revenue offices, Orleans Parish business licensing.
State quirk: civil law and the Napoleonic Code legacy
Louisiana is the only US state whose legal system descends from the French Napoleonic Code rather than English common law. Louisiana’s Limited Liability Company Law (La. R.S. Title 12 Chapter 22), enacted in 1992, applies civil-law contract principles to LLC operating agreements, members’ rights, and creditor remedies. Practical impacts: courts interpret ambiguous operating-agreement language with greater weight given to “intent of the parties” (codified in La. Civil Code Article 2045) than to strict textual reading; succession of an LLC membership interest at a member’s death follows Louisiana’s forced-heirship rules under Civil Code Article 1493 (which can override an operating agreement’s transfer provisions if forced heirs exist); and creditor remedies are described in civil-law terminology (the “charging order” equivalent is encoded in La. R.S. § 12:1331). Multi-state operators frequently form in Texas, Mississippi, or Wyoming and register as foreign LLCs in Louisiana to keep their governing law in common-law principles familiar to their attorneys. Source: Louisiana Civil Code.
Common mistake in Louisiana
The most common Louisiana LLC mistake is forgetting parish (county) occupational license taxes after completing the state-level SOS filing. Filers complete the $100 Articles + $30 annual report at the state and assume they’re done. Then Orleans Parish (or East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Lafayette, etc.) sends an occupational license tax bill based on gross receipts that the filer didn’t budget for. Check parish licensing requirements before launching operations, occupational license taxes in New Orleans alone can range $50 to $7,500+ annually depending on business type and revenue.
A second trap involves the civil-law specific to forced heirship rules in operating agreements. Louisiana’s Civil Code Article 1493 reserves a portion of a decedent’s estate (the forced portion or légitime) for forced heirs (children under 24, children with permanent disabilities). A Louisiana LLC operating agreement that purports to restrict membership-interest transfers at the death of a member can be partially overridden by forced-heirship claims, putting the LLC in an unintended membership configuration after a death event. Operators with significant LLC value, particularly real estate or family-business LLCs, should consult Louisiana-licensed estate counsel to coordinate the operating agreement with the member’s overall estate plan (including any inter vivos trusts or donations omnium bonorum used to manage forced heirship). Standard out-of-state operating agreement templates do not account for Louisiana civil-law succession rules and can produce harsh surprises.
When a Louisiana LLC makes sense after the franchise tax repeal
The 2026 franchise-tax repeal under Act 11 fundamentally changes the economics of Louisiana LLC formation. Previously, Louisiana ranked middle-of-the-pack on cost due to the franchise tax burden on C-corp-elected LLCs and the $110 minimum that hit operators with substantial Louisiana property. Post-repeal, Louisiana sits firmly in the low-cost tier:
- For Louisiana residents, the LLC is the natural choice, $100 filing + $30 annual = $250 over five years, with no franchise tax, no privilege tax, and no entity-level state income tax for pass-through structures. Combined with the 3% flat individual income tax (post-2024 reform), Louisiana is now genuinely competitive with Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas for low-cost operating environments.
- For Mississippi-, Texas-, or Arkansas-based operators with Louisiana customers, foreign-qualifying a home-state LLC in Louisiana is now cheaper than ever: just $150 application + $30/yr annual report. The franchise tax that previously applied to C-corp foreign LLCs is gone.
- For real estate investors holding Louisiana property, the math has improved. Pre-2026, holding Louisiana real estate through a Louisiana LLC owing franchise tax (calculated on the LLC’s Louisiana-allocated capital) could add $200-$500/yr. Post-2026, that cost is gone, and the holding LLC just pays $30/yr annual report.
- For multi-state operations, Louisiana’s civil-law system remains a quirk that out-of-state attorneys must navigate. For operators with Louisiana operations but a preference for common-law-state law, forming in Texas or Mississippi and qualifying foreign in Louisiana keeps the LLC’s governing law in common-law principles while still allowing Louisiana operations.
The franchise-tax repeal is the single most significant change to Louisiana LLC economics since the state’s 1992 adoption of the LLC Act. For operators evaluating Louisiana formation in 2026 and beyond, the analysis is genuinely different from analyses written for 2024 or earlier.
Sources
- Louisiana Secretary of State Business Services, last verified 2026-05-30
- Louisiana geauxBIZ Filing Portal, last verified 2026-05-30
- Louisiana Department of Revenue, Corporation Income and Franchise Taxes, last verified 2026-05-30
- Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 12 Chapter 22 (LLC Law), last verified 2026-05-30
- IRS Publication 3402, Taxation of Limited Liability Companies, last verified 2026-05-30
About the author
Aissam Baidi is the founder and researcher behind llcformationcost.com. He verifies Louisiana LLC fees directly from sos.la.gov and revenue.louisiana.gov on a quarterly cycle. Connect on LinkedIn.
Not legal advice. Estimates based on publicly available data from each state’s Secretary of State office. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.
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Ask anything about Louisiana LLCs
Pre-answered for the questions founders ask first. Tap one to read the full answer, or write your own.
What's the actual filing fee in Louisiana?
Louisiana charges $100 to file the Articles of Organization with www.sos.la.gov. Expedited service is available for an additional $30, reducing turnaround to about 1 business days vs. the standard ~3.
Does Louisiana have a franchise tax?
No. Louisiana does not impose a flat franchise tax on LLCs. Some pass-through entity income may still be taxed at the member level under state income tax rules.
What's the annual report situation in Louisiana?
Louisiana requires a annual report at $30.
Do I need a registered agent in Louisiana?
Yes. Every Louisiana LLC must designate a registered agent with a physical Louisiana street address (no P.O. boxes), available during business hours to accept legal mail. You can serve as your own agent for free if you live in Louisiana, but most founders use a commercial service ($100-150/year) to keep their home address off the public record.
What's unusual about forming an LLC in Louisiana?
Louisiana requires a name reservation as a mandatory step *before* filing the Articles of Organization, which is not common in many other states.
Louisiana-specific Operating Agreement preview
Five substantive sections with Louisiana-specific clauses (filing form, franchise tax, publication requirements, governing law). Use as a starting point with your attorney, or upgrade for the full 12-section document.
OPERATING AGREEMENT OF [COMPANY NAME], LLC
Article I. Formation
This Operating Agreement is entered into as of [date], by and among the undersigned members of [Company Name], a Limited Liability Company organized under the Louisiana Limited Liability Company Act. The Company was formed by filing the Articles of Organization with the Louisiana Secretary of State on [filing date]. The Company's principal office is located at [address], Louisiana.
Article II. Members & Membership Interests
The members of the Company are listed on Exhibit A. Each member's capital contribution and percentage interest are set forth therein. Members may be admitted only by [unanimous / majority] consent of existing members. Louisiana law does not mandate a written operating agreement, but the parties agree that this writing governs.
Article III. Management
The Company shall be [member-managed / manager-managed]. Louisiana default rules apply to any matter not addressed here. The Company shall timely file the annual report ($30) with the Louisiana Secretary of State to maintain good standing.
Article IV. Distributions & Allocations
Profits, losses, and distributions shall be allocated among members in proportion to their percentage interests, except as otherwise agreed in writing. Distributions shall be made [quarterly / annually / at the discretion of the [members / managers]]. The Company shall maintain capital accounts in accordance with Treas. Reg. § 1.704-1(b).
Article V. Dissolution & Louisiana-Specific Provisions
The Company shall dissolve upon [vote of majority members / occurrence of specific events]. Upon dissolution, the Company shall wind up its affairs and distribute remaining assets in accordance with Louisiana law. This agreement is governed by Louisiana law and any disputes shall be resolved in [forum].
7 more sections in the full document
Tax matters, indemnification, transfer restrictions, dissolution mechanics, signature pages, exhibits A & B (member roster + capital contributions), and amendment procedures. Plus state-specific signature-line text per $Louisiana convention.
Not legal advice. This template is a starting point for discussion with a licensed Louisiana attorney. Operating Agreements should be reviewed by counsel for your specific situation.
Louisiana LLC cost vs popular alternatives
A common decision is whether to form in your home state or an out-of-state filing state (Delaware, Wyoming, New Mexico). Out-of-state formation usually requires foreign-LLC registration in your home state too, adding both filing costs.
| State | First-year cost | Annual renewal | Franchise tax | Processing days | Publication required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | $130 | $30 | - | 3 days | - |
| Delaware | $390 | $300 | - | 14 days | - |
| Wyoming | $160 | $60 | - | 14 days | - |
| New Mexico | $50 | $0 | - | 14 days | - |
| Florida | $263.75 | $138.75 | - | 5 days | - |
Fees verified 2026-05-30 from each state's Secretary of State.
Frequently asked questions about Louisiana LLCs
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Louisiana in 2026?
Louisiana charges $100 to file the Articles of Organization. An ongoing annual report fee of $30 keeps the LLC in good standing. Verified 2026-05-30 from www.sos.la.gov.
Does Louisiana require an annual report?
Yes. Louisiana requires a annual report at $30.
What is the processing time in Louisiana?
Standard processing in Louisiana takes about 3 business days. Expedited processing is available for an additional $30, reducing turnaround to about 1 business days.
Does Louisiana have a publication requirement?
No. Louisiana does not require LLC formation to be published in newspapers.
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Open the AI advisorNot legal advice. Estimates based on publicly available data from each state's Secretary of State office. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.