Here's what you need in Louisiana
Official state business portal: geauxBIZ. geauxBIZ is the state site to start, maintain and close a business in Louisiana. You can file your business, register with the Department of Revenue and the Workforce Commission, and get a business license checklist.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General state business licenseWe could not find an official state page that says whether Louisiana has a general state business license. Your parish or city may require an occupational license, and some business types are regulated by state boards; the geauxBIZ business license checklist lists them. | Louisiana Secretary of State (geauxBIZ) | Not yet verifiedCheck with the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Form an LLCArticles of Organization. To form an LLC, file Articles of Organization with the Louisiana Secretary of State. Fees went up on October 1, 2026. | Louisiana Secretary of State, Commercial Division | $125 filing fee | Applyat geauxbiz.sos.la.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Business name (DBA)Assumed name (DBA) at the parish clerk of court. A DBA is filed at the parish level with the local Clerk of Court, not with the Secretary of State. Ask the parish Clerk of Court about the filing. | Parish Clerk of Court | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Sales tax permitLouisiana sales tax account. If you sell taxable goods or services, register for a sales tax account with the Louisiana Department of Revenue through LaTAP before you begin operating. | Louisiana Department of Revenue | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Applyat latap.revenue.louisiana.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Unemployment insurance (once you hire)Unemployment tax account. When you hire employees, contact the Louisiana Workforce Commission and register for an unemployment tax account. | Louisiana Workforce Commission | You pay tax on wages | Applyat laworks.netSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Federal tax ID (EIN)Employer Identification Number (EIN). You need an EIN if you have employees or pay certain federal taxes, and banks often ask for one. Apply online with the IRS and you get the number in minutes. | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) | Free | Applyat irs.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
Costs after you start
What an LLC in Louisiana pays or files after it is formed.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual ReportEvery Louisiana LLC files an annual report with the Secretary of State each year. The fee went up on October 1, 2026. | Louisiana Secretary of State | $35 a year | Applyat geauxbiz.sos.la.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
Licenses by type of business
State level licenses. Your city or parish may add its own permits.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hair salon, barber shop or nail salonBeauty shop license. A beauty salon needs a shop license from the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology. We could not read the current fee on an official page, so check with the Board. Barber shops are licensed by a separate barber board. | Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology | Not yet verifiedCheck with the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Child care in your homeFamily Child Care registration. If you care for up to 6 children in your home, you run a Family Child Care site and are encouraged, but not required, to register with the Louisiana Department of Education. Apply through EdLink. | Louisiana Department of Education | Not needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant)Alcoholic beverage permit. Bars and restaurants get alcoholic beverage permits, such as a Class A General or Class A Restaurant permit, from the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. Local ordinances set closing times and can limit where permits are allowed. | Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Applyat laatcabc.atc.la.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| General contractorCommercial, Residential or Home Improvement license. Louisiana requires a state contractor license for commercial and residential projects above a set value, and home improvement work above a lower value also falls under the board. Smaller jobs may not need a state license. | Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling homemade food (cottage food)Low-risk homemade food exemption. Producers of certain low-risk homemade foods can sell them to the public without meeting state food safety and sanitary rules for food businesses, as long as yearly sales stay under the limit. The limit went up on August 1, 2026 (Act 801 of 2026). | Louisiana Department of Health | Not needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
What is different in Louisiana
- At $125, the LLC filing fee is near the middle: 31 of 49 verified states charge less and 14 charge more.
- Where to file a business name (DBA): A DBA is filed at the parish level with the local Clerk of Court, not with the Secretary of State. Ask the parish Clerk of Court about the filing.
- Homemade food sales are capped at $100,000 a year. Of the 16 states where we verified a cap, 4 allow more.
- Contractor licensing in Louisiana: Louisiana requires a state contractor license for commercial and residential projects above a set value, and home improvement work above a lower value also falls under the board. Smaller jobs may not need a state license.
- Annual Report: $35 a year. Every Louisiana LLC files an annual report with the Secretary of State each year. The fee went up on October 1, 2026.
Steps to start a business in Louisiana
Pick a structure and register it
Sole owners can start under their own name. To form an LLC, file the Articles of Organization with the Louisiana Secretary of State, Commercial Division ($125).
Get a free EIN
Apply on irs.gov. You need it to hire, and banks usually ask for it. Never pay a website for an EIN.
Register your business name
If you trade under a name that is not your legal name, file a DBA with the Parish Clerk of Court.
Register for sales tax
If you sell taxable goods or services, get your permit from the Louisiana Department of Revenue before your first sale.
Get a state license for your type of business
Salons, child care, alcohol, building work and home food each have their own state rules. See the table above.
Check city and parish permits
Ask about a local business license, zoning, health and building permits before you sign a lease.
Register as an employer when you hire
Open a state unemployment insurance tax account with the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
City and parish permits
Cities and parishs in Louisiana can require their own business license, zoning approval, health permit or building permit. Rules change from place to place, so ask your city hall and parish clerk before you sign a lease. Home businesses often need a home occupation permit.
Questions about business licenses in Louisiana
Do I need a business license in Louisiana?
We have not yet verified this on an official page. Check with the Louisiana Secretary of State (geauxBIZ).
How much is an LLC in Louisiana?
The Louisiana Secretary of State, Commercial Division charges $125 filing fee to file the Articles of Organization. To form an LLC, file Articles of Organization with the Louisiana Secretary of State. Fees went up on October 1, 2026.
How much does an LLC cost per year in Louisiana?
Annual Report: $35 a year. Every Louisiana LLC files an annual report with the Secretary of State each year. The fee went up on October 1, 2026.
Does an LLC need a business license in Louisiana?
Yes, if your type of business or your location requires one. Forming an LLC only registers your company with the state; it is not a license. An LLC in Louisiana still needs any state license for its type of business and any local business license from its city or parish.
Do I need a sales tax permit in Louisiana?
Yes, if you sell taxable goods or services. If you sell taxable goods or services, register for a sales tax account with the Louisiana Department of Revenue through LaTAP before you begin operating.
How do I get a DBA in Louisiana?
A DBA is filed at the parish level with the local Clerk of Court, not with the Secretary of State. Ask the parish Clerk of Court about the filing.
Can I sell homemade food from home in Louisiana?
Producers of certain low-risk homemade foods can sell them to the public without meeting state food safety and sanitary rules for food businesses, as long as yearly sales stay under the limit. The limit went up on August 1, 2026 (Act 801 of 2026). Sales cap: $100,000 a year.
Do contractors need a state license in Louisiana?
Louisiana requires a state contractor license for commercial and residential projects above a set value, and home improvement work above a lower value also falls under the board. Smaller jobs may not need a state license.
Do I need an EIN?
You need an EIN if you have employees or pay certain federal taxes, and banks often ask for one. Apply online with the IRS and you get the number in minutes. It is free: never pay a website for an EIN.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from an official government page, checked on the date shown. Facts we could not confirm are marked Not yet verified and show no number. How we check.
- General state business license Louisiana Secretary of State (geauxBIZ) Not yet verified Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Form an LLC Louisiana Secretary of State, Commercial Division Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Business name (DBA) Parish Clerk of Court Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Sales tax permit Louisiana Department of Revenue Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Official business portal Louisiana Secretary of State Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Hair salon, barber shop or nail salon Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology Not yet verified Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Child care in your home Louisiana Department of Education Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant) Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- General contractor Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling homemade food (cottage food) Louisiana Department of Health Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Federal tax ID (EIN) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Checked Nov 7, 2026