How to Form an LLC in Louisiana (2026): $100 Filing Fee
$100 2026 state filing fee. 1–5 business days to process. Step-by-step guide to forming your Louisiana LLC.
Forming an LLC in Louisiana costs $100 in state filing fees and takes 1–5 business days. Annual maintenance costs $35 per year for the required report. Louisiana allows online filing through the Secretary of State's geauxBIZ portal.
Share This Page
Louisiana LLC Filing Fee (2026): $100
The Louisiana Secretary of State charges $100 to file your Articles of Organization. This is a one-time fee paid at formation. Standard processing takes 1–5 business days. After that, plan for a $35 annual report fee to keep your LLC active.
State Filing Fee
$100
One-time cost
Processing Time
1–5
Business days (standard)
Ongoing Report Fee
$35
Annual
Form Your Louisiana LLC Online
These services file your Louisiana LLC paperwork and include registered agent service, which is required by state law.
File your Louisiana LLC for just the $100 state fee + their service fee. Includes registered agent, operating agreement, and compliance reminders.
Start your LLC in Louisiana →
Free LLC formation service (you pay only the $100 state fee). Includes first year of registered agent, EIN, and business bank account setup.
Form free LLC in Louisiana →
Some links may be affiliate links. CostCrunch may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
How to Form an LLC in Louisiana: Step by Step
Choose a Name for Your LLC
Your LLC name must be unique in Louisiana and include "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company." Check availability on the Louisiana Secretary of State website before filing. You can also reserve a name for a small fee (typically $10–$25) if you're not ready to file.
Appoint a Registered Agent
Louisiana requires every LLC to have a registered agent — a person or company with a physical Louisiana address who can receive legal documents on your behalf. You can be your own registered agent or use a service ($100–$300/year) for privacy and reliability.
File Articles of Organization
File your LLC formation documents (Articles of Organization) with the Louisiana Secretary of State. The 2026 state filing fee is $100. Standard processing takes 1–5 business days. You can file online at the Louisiana Secretary of State website or through a formation service.
Create an Operating Agreement
An operating agreement outlines how your LLC is managed, how profits are distributed, and what happens if a member leaves. While not always legally required in Louisiana, it's strongly recommended — especially if you have multiple owners. Many banks require it to open a business account.
Get an EIN from the IRS
Apply for a free Employer Identification Number (EIN) at IRS.gov. You'll use it to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file your business taxes. The IRS issues EINs immediately online.
File Annual Reports & Maintain Compliance
Louisiana requires an annual report to keep your LLC in good standing. The report fee is $35. Missing the deadline can result in late fees or administrative dissolution of your LLC.
You Might Also Need
Most people forming an LLC are starting or growing a business. These tools answer the questions that come right after formation.
Self-Employment Tax Calculator
As an LLC owner, you pay 15.3% SE tax on net income. See your quarterly payment amounts.
Startup Cost Estimator
Budget what it costs to open your doors — one-time and monthly costs by business type and city.
Break-Even Calculator
Find how many units to sell — or revenue to generate — before your business starts making money.
Employee Cost in Louisiana
If you plan to hire: see total employer cost including SUTA, workers' comp, and benefits in Louisiana.
Can I Afford to Start a Business?
Enter your savings, financing, and monthly expenses to see if you have enough to cover startup costs and a cash reserve.
Total Cost to Form an LLC in Louisiana
| Cost | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| State filing fee (Articles of Organization) | $100 | One-time |
| Registered agent service | $0–$300 | Annual |
| Operating agreement (attorney or service) | $0–$200 | One-time |
| Annual report fee | $35 | Annual |
| Business bank account (varies) | $0–$35/mo | Monthly |
| Year 1 Total (estimated) | $100–$1,055 | First year |
Louisiana Tax Environment for LLCs
State Income Tax
Yes
LLC income flows through to your personal state tax return.
SUTA Rate (Employer)
1.5%
State Unemployment Tax on first $7,000 of wages per employee.
As an LLC owner, you'll also pay self-employment tax (15.3% on net business income up to $184,500 in 2026) unless you elect S-Corp status. If you hire employees, see the full employer cost breakdown for Louisiana.
LLC Formation in Other States
Ready to Start Your Business?
Get startup cost estimates, licensing requirements, and tools for your specific business type.
Browse Startup Guides by Business Type →Also Need a Business License in Louisiana?
Forming an LLC is separate from getting a business license. See the full cost breakdown for Louisiana business licenses, local fee ranges, and what you need to apply.
Louisiana Business License Cost Guide →After You Form Your LLC
Check Your Grant Eligibility in Louisiana
Many grant programs require an active LLC. See which Louisiana and federal grants your new business qualifies for.
Compare Louisiana LLC Costs vs Other States
See how Louisiana's $100 filing fee compares to the most popular LLC formation states:
Get the Louisiana LLC formation checklist
We'll send you a step-by-step guide to forming your LLC in Louisiana, including filing links, registered agent options, and license requirements.
Was this calculator helpful?
Your feedback helps us improve CostCrunch
Thank you for your feedback! ✓
Save Your Results
Download a professional PDF report with your complete analysis, charts, and key insights.
Download Your Report
Enter your email to get your personalized PDF report. We'll also send you useful financial tips.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Calculators for Your New LLC
Self-Employment Tax Calculator
Estimate SE tax and quarterly payments for freelancers
Startup Cost Estimator
Estimate one-time and recurring startup costs
Employee Cost Calculator
Find the true cost of hiring an employee
Break-Even Calculator
Find how many units to sell to cover costs
Payroll Tax Calculator
Estimate employer payroll taxes by state
W-2 vs 1099 Calculator
Compare employee vs contractor costs
Markup & Margin
Convert between markup and margin percentages
Loan Comparison
Compare loan options side by side
Get notified when tax rates change
We monitor payroll tax rates, SUTA, and cost-of-living data across all 50 states. When rates change, we'll let you know. Free, no spam.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe with one click.