The state filing fee to form an LLC in Louisiana is $100. Annual maintenance costs include annual report ($30) plus a registered agent. Calculate your total first-year and ongoing costs below.
Last updated: April 2026 · Data: IRS, BLS, state sources
Louisiana charges a $100 initial filing fee. The annual report is $30 due the anniversary of the formation date. Louisiana has no franchise tax on LLCs. Louisiana uses a civil law system which can make LLC operations slightly different from common law states.
| Cost Item | Amount | When Due |
|---|---|---|
| State Filing Fee | $100 | One-time at formation |
| Annual report | $30 | Annually |
| Registered Agent Service | $49–$300/year | Annually (at renewal) |
| Operating Agreement | $0–$1,500 | One-time (recommended) |
| EIN (Federal Tax ID) | Free | One-time (IRS.gov) |
| Business Bank Account | $0–$50/month | Monthly or free |
| Period | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| First Year (state fees + $49 RA) | $179 |
| Ongoing Annual (state fees + $49 RA) | $79/year |
| 5-Year Total Cost (+ RA) | $495 |
The Louisiana state filing fee is $100. In the first year, total costs including a registered agent (~$49) and annual state fees ($30) amount to approximately $179. Ongoing annual costs are approximately $79/year.
Yes - Louisiana requires all LLCs to maintain a registered agent with a physical Louisiana address. You can serve as your own registered agent if you have a Louisiana address, or hire a professional service. Professional services (~$49-$300/year) keep your personal address off public records and ensure you receive legal documents even when you're unavailable.
Annual report: $30. Plus registered agent service (~$49/year). Total ongoing: approximately $79/year.
For most small businesses that operate in Louisiana, forming in Louisiana is the right choice. If you form in Delaware or Wyoming and do business in Louisiana, you'll likely need to register as a foreign LLC in Louisiana - paying fees in both states. Delaware and Wyoming make sense for businesses seeking venture capital, planning complex ownership structures, or operating entirely online without a home state nexus.
Standard LLC formation in Louisiana typically takes 5–15 business days. Expedited processing is available for an additional fee and can reduce processing to 1–3 business days in most states. Online filing through the Secretary of State's website is the fastest option. Using a registered agent service like Northwest can also expedite the process.
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