Last updated
Forming an LLC in Louisiana and getting licensed to operate are two different jobs. The Secretary of State handles the first. For the second, its Start a Business page sends you to geauxBIZ, a site built by several state offices working together.
What can geauxBIZ do for me?
The state lists several uses. You can manage business filings and tax account registrations in one place, find planning resources, and reserve and file your new business. You can also generate a list of potential federal, state and local licenses and permits. That list is the closest thing the pages we read give to a Louisiana business license answer.
The checklist depends on where you are. The Secretary of State's FAQ says a city and a parish are required to produce it, since some licenses are based on the location of the business. If you do not know where you will operate yet, you cannot get a complete list.
If your business type is not in the drop down menu, pick the industry that fits and choose Other as the business type. The state says this produces a basic checklist for that industry. The FAQ also links a list of business types by industry, which helps you pick.
Who issues the license itself?
Not the Secretary of State, according to what we read. The geauxBIZ checklist covers federal, state and local licenses and permits, and which ones apply depends on your industry and your location. We did not read a Louisiana page that sets a single statewide fee or renewal date for a general business license, so we give none.
Which tax numbers come after forming the LLC?
Two numbers, from two places. The IRS issues the federal tax identification number, and our EIN guide shows the steps. The Louisiana Department of Revenue issues the state sales tax identification number.
The Secretary of State keeps neither. It says it does not hold tax ID numbers and sends you to the Department of Revenue for those and other tax questions. If you hunt for a number, our state tax ID lookup guide covers the options.
Where does a DBA fit in?
A DBA is not filed with the Secretary of State. The office says DBAs are filed at the parish level with the local Clerk of Court. A trade name is different: it is registered with the Secretary of State for $95, and a trade name can conflict with LLC and corporation names. Our Louisiana business search guide covers both, including the reservation fee.
How do I check whether someone is licensed?
The pages we used include no Louisiana license verification tool, so we do not link one. To confirm a company exists and is in good standing with the state, use the Commercial Database from our Louisiana guide. Our business license lookup page explains how to check licenses in general.
Who can help me decide what to set up?
The Secretary of State cannot tell you which business structure to choose and suggests an attorney for that. For free advice it names SCORE and the Louisiana Small Business Development Center, which offers planning, startup help and training. Once you have chosen, our Louisiana LLC guide walks through the filing, and the registered agent rules cover the agent every Louisiana filing needs.
What this page does not cover
Parish and city license fees, professional board rules, and industry permits are not covered here. The geauxBIZ checklist is the place to start for those, and the Secretary of State lists a phone line for geauxBIZ on its contact page. Neighboring states work differently: see Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi.