Starting a business in Louisiana

HOW TO START A BUSINESS IN LOUISIANA

Starting a business in Louisiana can and should be easier than you think. You file simple forms with the secretary of state, and your business is formed! Obviously there’s a few more things than that, but if you’d like to start your own business yourself, you will find it easy to hire us as your registered agent and you’ll find all the forms you could file to start a business in Louisiana, along with great filing instructions on the quickest and cheapest ways to start your business in Louisiana.

What’s the actual process to start a business in Louisiana?

1. You file articles of incorporation for a Louisiana corporation or articles of organization for a Louisiana LLC with the LA Secretary of State (remember to include the initial report).
2. You obtain a federal tax ID number (FEIN or EIN) with the IRS after you have confirmation and filed articles from the State of Louisiana showing your approved Louisiana business.
3. Opening a business banking account under your new Louisiana business name should be easy with these two items.
4. Register with the Louisiana Department of Revenue and the Louisiana Workforce Commission if you are going to withhold taxes or hire employees.
5. Louisiana Secretary of State has an online system that can tell you what licensing agencies you need to contact while starting a business. Use GeauxBiz.com to learn about your licensing requirements. We also provide helpful links and information in your online account.
   
   
   1. You obtain a Louisiana trade or occupational license, if you actually need one. (Most businesses don't.)
   2. You obtain a local city or parish general license, if you need one.
   3. You obtain a local trade license, if the city or county you're going to be working in requires it.
6. If you’re going to have an office or shop you might need additional approval from the city zoning for your type of business in that location.
7. If you get overwhelmed, just get your business pulling in money and worry about regulations later.

If you want a corporation, you file Louisiana Articles of incorporation:

It will cost $60 to file LA articles of incorporation with the Louisiana Secretary of State.
We custom draft your Louisiana articles of incorporation and initial report when you hire Northwest to start your Louisiana business. The basic requirements of Louisiana corporations are:
LA Articles of Incorporation:

• An incorporating Louisiana ending such as Inc, corporation, or incorporated
• A general or specific corporation purpose
• The duration may be limited or perpetual
• The amount of Louisiana corporation shares you would like to authorize
• The class of the corporation shares
• The par value of the shares
• The name, address, and signature of the Louisiana incorporator(s)
• Louisiana requires the articles of incorporation be notarized

LA Corporation Initial Report:

• The name of the corporation
• The location of the corporations registered office in Louisiana
• The name and address of the Louisiana registered agent
• The initial director(s) name and address
• The LA corporation incorporator signature
• The initial report must be signed by the registered agent and notarized

Louisiana does not require original signatures on new LA corporation filings. But the articles of incorporation and the initial report must be notarized. After filing, your document will be mailed to the address on the coversheet. 

If you want a LLC, you file Louisiana Articles of organization:

Louisiana LLC articles of organization requirements:

• The business name must have a limited liability company ending or variation of it
• New Louisiana LLCs name must be different than already registered Louisiana companies
• Duration of the Louisiana LLC is perpetual unless you list a dissolution date
• The Louisiana registered agent and the physical address
• The Louisiana organizer’s name and signature

Louisiana LLC initial report requirements:

• The name of the LLC
• The location of the LLC registered office in Louisiana
• The name and address of the Louisiana registered agent
• The names and physical addresses of the first managers or members
• The signature of any person who signed the articles of organization
• The initial report must be signed by the registered agent and notarized

Louisiana does not require original signatures on new LA LLC filings. Both the articles of organization and the LLCs initial report must be notarized. After LA SOS approves your filing, they will send a copy to the address on the coversheet.

Are you a do-it-yourselfer? You can save some money:   

If you want to start a business in Louisiana yourself, you can just hire us as your Louisiana registered agent, and you'll instantly have the Louisiana LLC or corporation forms to file along with filing instructions on the quickest, cheapest, and most efficient way to incorporate a Louisiana corporation or form a Louisiana LLC. You'll get the ongoing support of our online tools, reminders and the support of a professional Louisiana registered agent service.