Incorporating in Louisiana makes your business idea a legally recognized entity with staying power. For some, that means forming a limited liability company (LLC) to keep management simple. For others, it means setting up a corporation with stock and bylaws to attract investors. In Louisiana, the process comes with clear steps, modest costs, and a few state-specific quirks such as parish-level filings. Below, we’ll explain how to incorporate in Louisiana, including benefits for businesses, legal requirements, costs, and registration.

What’s in this article?

• How do you incorporate a business in Louisiana?
  
• What are the benefits of incorporating in Louisiana?
  
• What are the legal requirements to incorporate in Louisiana?
  
• How much does it cost to incorporate in Louisiana?
  
• What are the steps to register an LLC or corporation in Louisiana?
  
• How Stripe Atlas can help
  

How do you incorporate a business in Louisiana?

Incorporating your business means creating a structure for ownership and management, separating your personal assets from business liabilities, and building credibility with banks, investors, and customers. While incorporating technically refers to forming a corporation, forming an LLC follows much of the same process. Both structures legally separate you from the business.

Incorporating in Louisiana centers on filing formation documents with the Louisiana secretary of state: either articles of incorporation (for corporations) or articles of organization (for LLCs). Once your filing is approved, your company exists as a separate legal entity. At this point, you’ll need to take a few additional steps, such as setting up a registered agent, filing parish-level paperwork if you’re forming a corporation, and handling tax registrations and annual reports.

Louisiana facilitates most of this through its geauxBIZ online portal, which lets you file formation documents, reserve names, and, in many cases, handle tax registrations in one place. Filings can also be done by mail or in person, but the online portal tends to be faster—sometimes even the same day if you opt for expedited service.

What are the benefits of incorporating in Louisiana?

Forming an LLC or corporation in Louisiana impacts how your business is seen, how it’s protected, and what resources you can access. Here are the key advantages.

Limited liability protection

The most practical reason to incorporate is to safeguard your personal assets from your business’s debts and lawsuits. If the company is sued or can’t pay its bills, your home and bank account generally aren’t at risk.

Credibility and staying power

Seeing “LLC” or “Inc.” at the end of your business name reassures customers, banks, and investors that your company is an established one that operates under a recognized legal structure. For corporations, perpetual existence means the business can continue beyond its founders, which adds stability for long-term growth.

Funding opportunities

Corporations can issue stock to raise money. LLCs can’t, but becoming an LLC makes it easier to add new partners or investors under clearly defined ownership rules. These business structures can open doors to outside capital and make lenders more comfortable extending credit.

State-level incentives

Louisiana backs its small business community with a range of tax credits and funding programs. Incentive programs range from workforce training grants to special credits for veteran-owned companies. Incorporating in the state makes you eligible for these programs and grants access to the resources designed to help Louisiana businesses expand.

Straightforward compliance

If you operate primarily in Louisiana, incorporating locally avoids the extra costs and filings of maintaining a foreign entity. You’ll work with one set of rules and taxes rather than manage registrations across states. This is an advantage for many small to midsize Louisiana businesses.

What are the legal requirements to incorporate in Louisiana?

Here’s what you need to do to incorporate in Louisiana.

A compliant business name

Louisiana requires that your name be distinguishable from existing businesses in the state. It also needs a proper legal ending. Corporation names must end with “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” or abbreviations such as “Inc.” and “Co.” LLC names must include “Limited Liability Company” or “LLC.”

Certain words (e.g., “Bank,” “Insurance,” “Engineering”) need state approval, and names can’t imply government affiliation. You can search name availability on the secretary of state’s website. And if you’re not ready to file right away, you can reserve a name for 120 days.

A registered agent and office

Every Louisiana entity needs a registered agent with a physical street address in the state (no PO Boxes). The agent accepts legal and official documents on behalf of the business. This can be an individual resident or a commercial service. The agent’s name and address must be included in your filings. You’ll also list your company’s principal office and registered office addresses, which don’t have to be the same as your registered agent’s address.

Initial owners and managers

Corporations must have at least one director. Their name and address is typically included in the articles of incorporation.

LLCs must file an Initial Report with the articles of organization. This report lists the names and addresses of all members or managers and includes a notarized affidavit from each registered agent who accepts the role. If you don’t yet have all members finalized, you can update this information later with a Supplemental Initial Report.

Filed formation documents

Your official formation depends on the entity type.

Corporations file articles of incorporation, which includes the corporation’s name, purpose, duration (usually perpetual), the number and par value of shares, the incorporators’ names and addresses, and the registered agent and office details.

LLCs file articles of organization, which outlines the name, purpose, duration, registered agent and offices, and organizer details. The Initial Report is filed at the same time.

Both forms are available through the state’s geauxBIZ portal or as paper filings.

Parish filing (corporations only)

Louisiana adds a unique step for corporations: within 30 days of incorporation, you must file certified copies of your articles (and Initial Report, if one was filed) with the clerk of court in the parish where your registered office is located. This puts your incorporation on local record. LLCs don’t have this requirement.

Once those requirements are met, your business can officially be recognized by the state.

How much does it cost to incorporate in Louisiana?

Louisiana keeps incorporation costs fairly low compared with other states. Here’s what to expect when you budget for your new company:

• Articles of incorporation (corporation): $75.

• Articles of organization (LLC): $100.

• Initial Report (LLC): Included in the filing fee if filed at the same time. A later Supplemental Initial Report costs $25. Corporations no longer file a separate Initial Report—the details are collected in the articles.

• Name reservation (optional): $25 for 120 days. This is useful if you want to hold a name before you file.

• Expedited processing (optional): $30 for processing within 24 hours, $50 for priority processing.

• Online credit card fee: $5 per transaction when you file through the geauxBIZ portal.

• Annual report: $30 due each year on your company’s anniversary date ($10 for nonprofits).

All filings can be handled online through geauxBIZ, which is usually the fastest route. Paper filings by mail or in person are slightly slower but still follow the same fee structure.

Corporations are subject to Louisiana’s corporation franchise tax, an annual tax based on a company’s capital or assets in the state. The initial tax is $110, plus $2.75 for each $1,000 or major fraction thereof in excess of $300,000 of capital employed in Louisiana.

In practice, businesses typically spend $100 up front for an LLC or $75 for a corporation, plus the annual $30 maintenance fee. Consider adding expedited service if you’re on a tight timeline. These are state fees only. If you hire a lawyer or formation service, expect additional costs.

What are the steps to register an LLC or corporation in Louisiana?

The business registration process is similar for both LLCs and corporations, with a few important differences. Here’s a step-by-step guide to registration.

Decide on your structure and name

Start by choosing whether you’ll form an LLC or a corporation. This choice determines your filing documents and shapes how your company will run day-to-day. LLCs give you flexibility in management and pass-through taxation. Corporations are more formal, with directors and officers, and they’re the right choice if you plan to raise capital through stock.

Once you’ve chosen your structure, pick a name that meets Louisiana’s rules.

Prepare your formation documents

For an LLC, you’ll complete articles of organization (the official formation document) and an Initial Report that lists members or managers and includes a notarized agent’s affidavit. For a corporation, you’ll complete articles of incorporation, including details such as the number of shares authorized, incorporators, registered agent, and office addresses. Louisiana provides standard forms through the geauxBIZ portal or for paper filing.

Appoint a registered agent

Every Louisiana business needs a registered agent with a physical address in the state. This person or service receives official notices and legal papers on your behalf. You’ll include their name and street address in your filings.

File with the secretary of state

You can file in three ways: online through geauxBIZ, by mail (sending completed forms and fees to the secretary of state in Baton Rouge), or in person (delivering forms to the Baton Rouge office by hand). Online is the fastest way to file. If you pay for expedited processing, you can even have it done within the same day. If you file in person, you can pay for priority processing while you wait.

Parish-level filing (corporations only)

For a corporation, you’ll have one extra requirement: within 30 days, you must file certified copies of your articles with the clerk of court in the parish where your registered office is located.

Handle initial formalities

After approval, there are a few organizational steps. Corporations must hold an initial meeting to adopt bylaws, appoint officers, and authorize stock issuance, and they must record everything in meeting minutes. LLCs must draft an operating agreement that defines ownership shares, management roles, and decision-making rules. Bylaws and operating agreements aren’t filed with the state, but they’re important for internal clarity.

Register for taxes and licenses

Depending on your business, you might need to register for Louisiana sales tax if you’re selling products, set up employer accounts for state withholding and unemployment insurance if you’re hiring staff, or apply for local occupational licenses or permits. Louisiana’s geauxBIZ portal includes a checklist tool to guide you through relevant registrations.

Stay compliant each year

You’ll file an annual report with the secretary of state, due on your anniversary date, to keep your company in good standing. Corporations also need to file annual tax returns and pay the state’s franchise tax.

How Stripe Atlas can help

Stripe Atlas sets up your company’s legal foundations so you can fundraise, open a bank account, and accept payments within two business days from anywhere in the world.

Join 75K+ companies incorporated using Atlas, including startups backed by top investors like Y Combinator, a16z, and General Catalyst.

Applying to Atlas

Applying to form a company with Atlas takes less than 10 minutes. You’ll choose your company structure, instantly confirm whether your company name is available, and add up to four cofounders. You’ll also decide how to split equity, reserve a pool of equity for future investors and employees, appoint officers, and then e-sign all your documents. Any cofounders will receive emails inviting them to e-sign their documents, too.

Accepting payments and banking before your EIN arrives

After forming your company, Atlas files for your Employer Identification Number (EIN). Founders with a US Social Security number, address, and cell phone number are eligible for IRS expedited processing, while others will receive standard processing, which can take a little longer. Additionally, Atlas enables pre-EIN payments and banking, so you can start accepting payments and making transactions before your EIN arrives.

Cashless founder stock purchase

Founders can purchase initial shares using their intellectual property (e.g., copyrights or patents) instead of cash, with proof of purchase stored in your Atlas Dashboard. Your IP must be valued at $100 or less to use this feature; if you own IP above that value, consult a lawyer before proceeding.

Automatic 83(b) tax election filing

Founders can file an 83(b) tax election to reduce personal income taxes. Atlas will file it for you—whether you are a US or non-US founder—with USPS Certified Mail and tracking. You’ll receive a signed 83(b) election and proof of filing directly in your Stripe Dashboard.

World-class company legal documents

Atlas provides all the legal documents you need to start running your company. Atlas C corp documents are built in collaboration with Cooley, one of the world’s leading venture capital law firms. These documents are designed to help you fundraise immediately and ensure your company is legally protected, covering aspects like ownership structure, equity distribution, and tax compliance.

A free year of Stripe Payments, plus $50K in partner credits and discounts

Atlas collaborates with top-tier partners to give founders exclusive discounts and credits. These include discounts on essential tools for engineering, tax, finance, compliance, and operations from industry leaders like AWS, Carta, and Perplexity. We also provide you with your required Delaware registered agent for free in your first year. Plus, as an Atlas user, you’ll access additional Stripe benefits, including up to a year of free payment processing for up to $100K in payment volume.

Learn more about how Atlas can help you set up your new business quickly and easily, or get started today.