How to Get a Business License in Louisiana

State registration: Secretary of State and geauxBIZ

The Louisiana Secretary of State’s Commercial Division handles many business filings. The state points new businesses to geauxBIZ for starting a business, reserving a name, completing filings, and producing a list of possible licenses and permits.

When you may need a Secretary of State filing

You usually check the Secretary of State if you plan to form or register an LLC, corporation, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, or foreign business entity doing business in Louisiana.

Some businesses do not create a separate state entity. For example, a sole proprietor using the owner’s legal name may not have the same entity filing step as an LLC. But that person may still need local occupational licensing, tax registration, zoning approval, or industry permits.

Louisiana parishes where online business document filing is required

The Secretary of State’s forms and fee schedule page says that available business documents must be filed online through geauxBIZ for business owners in several parishes, including Ascension, Bossier, Caddo, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Lafayette, Livingston, Orleans, Ouachita, Rapides, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Terrebonne. Check the Secretary of State forms and fee schedule page before filing because rules and systems can change.

Current filing fees and the October 1, 2026 increase

The Secretary of State’s current fee page lists a domestic Louisiana LLC Articles of Organization filing at $100, an LLC annual report at $30, and a trade name registration at $75. The state has also published a new Commercial Division fee schedule that takes effect October 1, 2026. On that date, those amounts are scheduled to increase to $125 for a domestic LLC filing, $35 for an LLC annual report, and $95 for a trade name registration.

Annual reports and official mailers

If you form or register an entity, plan for ongoing filings. The Secretary of State says annual reports are required yearly for covered entities and can be filed online through geauxBIZ. The office also warns business owners about fraudulent mailers from non-government entities. Use official state links before paying any third-party notice.

Trade names, DBAs, trademarks, and service marks

Louisiana makes an important distinction between a trade name and a DBA. The Secretary of State says trade names are filed with its Commercial Division, while DBAs are not filed with the Secretary of State and are instead filed at the parish level through the local Clerk of Court.

The Secretary of State also handles trademarks and service marks. Its current fee page lists a trade name, trademark, or service mark registration at $75 as of August 21, 2026. The state has published an increase to $95 effective October 1, 2026.

The Secretary of State says corporate, LLC, trade name, trademark, and service mark names must be checked for availability. The state also says a corporate or LLC name cannot contain “doing business as” or “d/b/a.” See the official File Business Documents information and the Business Filings FAQ before choosing a filing path.

If you are simply asking, “Where do I file my DBA?”, start with the Clerk of Court in the parish where the DBA filing belongs. If you want a state trade name registration, use the Secretary of State. Ask your bank and local licensing office what name documentation they require.

Sales tax, LaTAP, local sales tax, and employer accounts

Louisiana tax registration can be more than one account. A business may need state tax registration with the Louisiana Department of Revenue, local sales and use tax registration, remote-seller registration, and employer tax accounts if it has workers.

Louisiana Department of Revenue business registration

The Louisiana Department of Revenue says to use Business Registration and LaTAP when you need a Louisiana Department of Revenue business account or need to add accounts. LaTAP is the Louisiana Taxpayer Access Point, where taxpayers can file returns, make payments, view account history, and manage state tax accounts.

Beginning January 1, 2026, Louisiana expanded mandatory electronic filing and payment to all withholding taxes and most sales and use tax returns, payments, and fees. If your business is covered by that mandate, use LaTAP or another approved electronic method instead of assuming a paper filing is still accepted.

Sales tax and local sales tax

Louisiana’s general state sales tax rate is 5% as of 2026. Local sales and use taxes are in addition to the state rate, and the combined rate can vary by location. If you sell taxable goods or taxable services, check the Louisiana Department of Revenue and the correct parish or local collector before you collect tax.

Remote sellers without physical presence should also check the Louisiana Sales and Use Tax Commission for Remote Sellers. The Commission’s current FAQ uses an economic-nexus threshold of more than $100,000 in Louisiana gross revenue or 200 or more separate Louisiana transactions in the previous or current calendar year. Qualifying remote sellers generally register with the Commission instead of separately registering with the state and every parish. Marketplace sales can affect the threshold calculation differently, so verify your sales channels before registering.

Withholding and unemployment accounts

If you have employees performing services in Louisiana, check Louisiana withholding tax and unemployment insurance registration.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue says every employer with resident or nonresident employees performing services in Louisiana, except exempt employees, is required to withhold Louisiana income tax based on the employee’s withholding exemption certificate. The Department also says the fastest way to register for withholding tax is to apply online for a revenue account number.

Louisiana Works says every employing unit operating in Louisiana must complete and submit an employer application to receive an official determination of liability or non-liability under Louisiana Employment Security Law. The 2026 unemployment insurance taxable wage base is $7,000 per employee. A newly liable employer’s tax rate depends on the average rate for employers in the same industry classification rather than one single statewide new-employer percentage.

New hires and workers’ compensation

Louisiana employers must report new hires and rehires within 20 days. Workers’ compensation is separate from unemployment insurance: Louisiana Works says most employers are required to carry workers’ compensation coverage, although state law has specific employee and employer exceptions. Check coverage before the first worker starts rather than assuming a small business is exempt.

City and parish licenses: the occupational license layer

Louisiana local governments often use the phrase “occupational license tax.” This is one of the most important Louisiana-specific licensing terms to know.

Louisiana Revised Statutes section 47:341 allows a municipality or parish to impose a license tax on covered business activity within its territorial jurisdiction, if the local governing body follows the required approval process. Because the rule is local, the office, form, fee, renewal method, and timing can vary.

Why your exact location matters

Before you apply, confirm whether the business address is inside a city, inside an unincorporated parish area, or operating in more than one place. A business inside city limits may have a different collector than a business outside city limits. Mobile businesses, contractors, food trucks, and service providers may need to ask more than one locality.

Local approval may include more than tax registration

• Occupational license or occupational license tax registration
• Local sales and use tax registration
• Zoning approval
• Certificate of occupancy or building approval
• Fire review or inspection
• Sign permit
• Health permit or health department review
• Alcohol, live entertainment, short-term rental, mobile vending, or special event permits

Home-based businesses in Louisiana

A home-based business can still need a license, tax registration, zoning approval, or a home occupation permit. The exact rule is local.

For example, New Orleans has a separate Home-Based Business Occupational License guide. It includes local limits on certain activities, business vehicles, and prohibited home occupations. Other Louisiana cities and parishes may use different rules.

Before you operate from home, ask your local zoning or permits office these questions:

• Is my business type allowed at this home address?
• Do I need a home occupation permit, occupational license, or certificate of occupancy?
• Are customers, employees, deliveries, signs, storage, noise, equipment, or business vehicles limited?
• Do food, childcare, beauty, vehicle repair, short-term rental, or health-related rules apply?
• Does my HOA, lease, mortgage, or insurance policy restrict business use?

Industry licenses and special permits

Some Louisiana businesses need a state board, state department, or local permit before they open. This depends on what you sell or do.

Louisiana city guides and local examples

BusinessLicenseGuide has city guides for some Louisiana cities. Use them to understand the local layer, but always confirm with the official city or parish office before you apply.

• New Orleans, LA Business License Guide
• Baton Rouge, LA Business License Guide

For other cities or parishes, start with official local pages. These examples show why the wording and process can vary across Louisiana.

Official Louisiana agency directory