Louisiana LLC filing fee guide

Louisiana keeps LLC costs refreshingly simple: $100 for your Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State, plus a $30 annual report to maintain good standing. No sneaky franchise taxes or hidden forms to worry about.

File online through the state's GeauxBiz portal or mail paper forms, but note that online filing carries an extra $5 convenience fee. Online filings typically process within 1-2 business days, while paper submissions take 5-7 business days plus mail time. Need it faster? Expedited processing costs an extra $30 for 24-hour service.

Current Louisiana LLC filing fees

Louisiana maintains transparent filing costs through the Secretary of State's office. The $100 base fee applies if you're forming a new Louisiana LLC, but registering an out-of-state company costs $150. 

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That $100 filing fee creates your LLC's legal existence. The price stays the same whether you're forming a Louisiana LLC or registering an out-of-state company.

Your LLC remains in good standing with a $30 annual report due each year on your formation anniversary. There's no separate franchise tax, making Louisiana's ongoing costs predictable and manageable.

How do Louisiana's LLC filing fees compare to other states?

Looking at where to start your company, Louisiana's structure ($100 to file and $30 annually) falls below the national average of $132 for formation, providing solid value without being either the cheapest or most expensive option.

Compare that with neighboring states:

• Mississippi charges $50 for formation but has complex ongoing requirements.
• Texas charges $300 upfront plus potential franchise taxes, making Louisiana three times cheaper for formation.
• Arkansas costs $45 to file, but requires $150 annual franchise tax.
• Alabama sits at $200 for formation with varying annual requirements.

Across the country, Louisiana holds an attractive middle ground. 

• Massachusetts costs $500 just to get started, followed by an additional $500 every year.
• California tempts entrepreneurs with low initial fees but hits them with an $800 minimum annual franchise tax. 

Louisiana avoids both problems with no franchise tax for most LLCs, no surprise fees, and straightforward annual reporting. Simply file your $30 report each year, and you're all set.

Additional filing fees to consider for Louisiana LLCs

While Louisiana's $100 Articles of Organization cover the basics, several smaller costs might pop up during your LLC's life. Knowing these upfront helps you build a realistic budget for your first year.

• Name reservation costs $25 if you want to hold your LLC name for 120 days while finalizing paperwork.
• Registered agent costs vary widely based on your approach. Being your own agent costs nothing if you have a reliable Louisiana street address during business hours. If privacy matters to you, commercial services typically charge $100 to $300 annually.
• Amendment fees of $100 apply when modifying your Articles of Organization, while registered agent changes cost $25.
• Certified copies cost $15 each, while Certificates of Good Standing run $20. Banks often request these for account openings.
• Local governments add another layer. Most cities and parishes require business licenses, typically costing $35 to $50 or more, depending on your industry.

Let Discern handle your Louisiana LLC filings

Discern processes your Louisiana LLC formation filings and then handles ongoing compliance from there. No more tracking anniversary-month deadlines or worrying about registered agent responsibilities. 

Our system automatically processes your annual reports, maintains real-time compliance dashboards, and displays the exact standing of every entity you own. Book a demo today and see how we handle compliance complexity with ease.