How do I get a business license?

Step by Step

How to do it

Determine your business structure: sole proprietor, LLC, corporation, partnership
Register your business entity with the Louisiana Secretary of State (for LLCs and corporations) - file online at geauxbiz.com (Louisiana's primary business filing portal - also handles multiple registrations in one place)
Obtain an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS at irs.gov if forming an entity, hiring employees, or operating as a partnership
Register with the Louisiana Department of Revenue for applicable taxes through geauxbiz.com or revenue.louisiana.gov:
- Louisiana Sales and Use Tax registration (if selling taxable goods/services)
- Withholding Tax (if you have employees)
- Other applicable Louisiana taxes
Obtain a Louisiana Occupational License (if applicable - required for certain professions)
Check with your parish and city/town for local business licenses - Louisiana parishes and municipalities each administer their own occupational license fees; some require annual renewal
Check for industry-specific state licenses: contractors, medical professionals, real estate, cosmetologists, engineers, and many others require licenses through the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) at lslbc.louisiana.gov, Louisiana Real Estate Commission, and other relevant boards
Renew entity annual report with Secretary of State; renew local occupational license annually

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Business name and type of activity
Louisiana business address
Entity formation documents if LLC or corporation
EIN or Social Security number
Industry-specific certifications if applicable

Fee

LLC formation: $100 online; corporation: $75 online; annual report: $35 (LLC and corporation); Sales Tax registration: free; local occupational license: varies by parish and city; contractor license: fees vary by LSLBC license type RENEWAL: Entity annual report due by the anniversary date of formation; local license: annual per parish/city schedule ONLINE OPTION: Yes - geauxbiz.com (one-stop portal for entity formation + tax registration); revenue.louisiana.gov (additional tax registrations); lslbc.louisiana.gov (contractors) WHERE TO GO: Louisiana Secretary of State via geauxbiz.com; Louisiana DOR (tax registration); Parish and city offices (local occupational license); relevant licensing board (professional licenses)

Online Option

Yes - geauxbiz.com (one-stop portal for entity formation + tax registration); revenue.louisiana.gov (additional tax registrations); lslbc.louisiana.gov (contractors)

Where to Go

Louisiana Secretary of State via geauxbiz.com; Louisiana DOR (tax registration); Parish and city offices (local occupational license); relevant licensing board (professional licenses)

Louisiana Notes

Important state-specific details

GEAUXBIZ.COM: Louisiana's excellent integrated one-stop business portal - handles entity formation, tax registration, and more in one workflow.
Louisiana LLC formation: $100 - moderate national average.
Annual report: $35 for most entities - affordable.
Louisiana sales tax: state rate 4.45%; local parish/city rates add 4%-6.5%; combined rates often 9%-11%; Louisiana has some of the highest combined sales tax rates in the nation.
CONTRACTORS: Louisiana requires a contractor's license for most construction work over $75,000; administered by LSLBC at lslbc.louisiana.gov; separate licenses for residential, commercial, and specialty work.
Louisiana has a state corporate income tax (graduated rates up to 7.5%); state individual income tax (graduated rates).
COMMUNITY PROPERTY STATE: Louisiana is a community property state (one of nine) - affects business ownership in certain contexts.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Louisiana Secretary of State - geauxbiz.com | (225) 922-0415; Louisiana DOR - revenue.louisiana.gov | (855) 307-3893; LSLBC - lslbc.louisiana.gov | (225) 765-2301