How to file a Louisiana annual report

Your Louisiana annual report is an official document that businesses must submit to the Louisiana Secretary of State's Commercial Division each year. This annual filing confirms key details about your business, including its name, location, leadership, and registered agent. The Commercial Division uses annual reports to maintain an up-to-date business registry and verify that companies are still operating.

Filing your Louisiana annual report on time keeps your business in good standing with the state, which means you can renew licenses, maintain liability protection, and legally operate. If you don't submit it, the state may mark your business as inactive or revoked, and you won't be able to operate legally.

Who must file a Louisiana annual report?

All Louisiana corporations, LLCs, nonprofits, and partnerships must file a Louisiana annual report each year. This includes both domestic (in-state) and foreign (out-of-state) entities registered in Louisiana.

In Louisiana, all businesses must file an annual report, regardless of their revenue or activity level. This means that even if your business generated no income or had no operations during the year, you are still required to file. Inactive businesses must continue to file with the state until they are officially dissolved.

Any authorized representative can complete this filing, including:

  • Business owners
  • Officers or directors
  • Members or managers
  • Attorneys or accountants
  • Authorized agents

There's no need to submit a certificate of good standing when filing your Louisiana annual report.

How to file a Louisiana annual report

Louisiana accepts both online and paper submissions, but online filing through the state’s geauxBIZ portal is fastest and most convenient.

Online filing (recommended)

The geauxBIZ portal gets your filing done in 15 minutes. Here what you need to do:

  1. Log in or create an account using your Charter Number and Renewal ID
  2. Navigate to the Annual Report section on your dashboard
  3. Review and update your business information as needed
  4. Verify all details are current and accurate
  5. Add your electronic signature
  6. Pay the filing fee ($30 for most entities, $10 for nonprofits)
  7. Download your confirmation receipt

Paper filing

Download the appropriate annual report form from the Louisiana Secretary of State website. Mail your completed form with payment to the Commercial Division. Checks or money orders should be payable to "Louisiana Secretary of State." 

Due dates and deadlines

Louisiana follows an anniversary-based system tied. Your annual report is due within 30 days of your anniversary date each year.

Key timing details:

  • Filing window: 30 days after your anniversary date only
  • First report due: Year after formation, regardless of the exact formation date within the year
  • Processing time: Immediate confirmation for online filing, 7-10 business days for mail
  • Reminders: Email and text notifications are sent approximately 30 days prior (if you've signed up)

Filing fees for Louisiana annual reports

Louisiana charges different fees based on your entity type and filing method. Generally, filing costs $30 for corporations and LLCs and  $10 for nonprofits. 

Payment methods and additional costs:

  • Online credit card: $5 convenience fee
  • Online ACH transfer: No additional fee
  • Paper filing with check/money order: No additional fee

Louisiana doesn't charge separate late fees, but continued non-filing can result in administrative dissolution, which carries more serious consequences.

Required information for filing a Louisiana annual report

Before starting your filing, gather the following information:

  • Business identification: Includes your charter number and renewal ID
  • Address information: Principal office street address (no P.O. boxes) and mailing address (if different from principal office)
  • Personnel details: Names and titles of all current officers, directors, or managers, as well as complete addresses for key personnel
  • Registered agent information: Registered agent's full name, physical Louisiana street address, and consent form, if changing the registered agent

Consequences of not filing a Louisiana annual report

Louisiana takes a graduated approach to enforcement rather than imposing immediate late fees.

  • Day 1 after deadline: Entity marked as "not in good standing"
  • Day 90 after the deadline: Business becomes eligible for administrative dissolution
  • Upon dissolution: Entity loses legal authority to operate in Louisiana

Long-term consequences of dissolution include loss of liability protections for owners and officers, loss of exclusivity to the business name, and complications with contracts, banking relationships, and licensing. 

Reinstatement requirements

To reinstate your business, you’ll need to do the following:

  • Pay all past-due annual report fees ($30 per missed year)
  • Pay the $75 reinstatement fee
  • File a reinstatement application with the Secretary of State
  • Select a new business name (if the original name was taken during dissolution)

Frequently asked questions

How long does processing take for each filing method?

Online filings provide immediate confirmation, while mailed submissions take 7-10 business days for processing plus additional transit time.

Can I make changes during the annual report filing process?

Yes, you can update officer information, addresses, and registered agent details during your annual report filing. There's no additional fee for making these updates as part of your annual report.

Can I file before the 30-day window opens?

No, Louisiana only allows filing within the 30-day window after your anniversary date. You cannot file early.

What happens if I discover errors after filing?

Contact the Secretary of State immediately. Corrections may require filing an amendment, which typically incurs additional fees of $25-$75, depending on the type of change needed.

Who is authorized to file on behalf of my business? 

Officers, directors, members, managers, or any authorized representative can file your annual report. The person filing must have the authority to act on behalf of the entity.

Do I need original signatures for online filing?

No, electronic signatures are accepted for online filings through the geauxBIZ portal. No printing, signing, or scanning required.

Discern automates your Louisiana annual report

Managing Louisiana's anniversary-based filing system creates unnecessary complexity when handling multiple entities across different formation dates. Unlike states with uniform deadlines, Louisiana requires tracking individual anniversary dates and calculating separate 30-day filing windows for each entity.

Discern automates annual report filing and ongoing compliance across all 51 jurisdictions through a single dashboard. Instead of logging into geauxBIZ repeatedly and managing scattered anniversary dates, manage your entire multi-state compliance footprint from one unified platform.

Author
The Discern Team
Published Date
June 30, 2025
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