Louisiana Corporation Requirements

Each state has different requirements for forming a corporation. Whether you are starting a business or incorporating a business already in existence, you’ll want to understand state requirements for Louisiana incorporation.

Cost to incorporate in Louisiana

At BizFilings, we clearly outline our fees and the state fees to form a Louisiana corporation. View our pricing to incorporate as a C corporation or S corporation to plainly see:

• BizFilings’ package prices. BizFilings offers three incorporation service packages from which you can choose.
• State fee for standard turn-around. Our pricing clearly shows the state fee to incorporate in Louisiana with standard turn-around.
• Expedited turn-around. You will see the BizFilings and state fee, if any, for expedited turn-around.
• Certified copy. Our pricing also clearly displays the BizFilings and state fee, if any, for issuing a Certified Copy of the Articles of Incorporation.

Corporate Name

The name of the corporation must contain the word "Corporation," "Incorporated," "Limited" or an abbreviation thereof. The name may contain the word "Company" or the abbreviation "Co.," if "Company" or "Co." is not immediately preceded by the word "and" or the symbol "&." The name must not be the same as or deceptively similar to any other reserved or registered name of another corporation. The name cannot use certain enumerated words relating to banking, savings and loans, or insurance. The words “State” and “Security” cannot be used in the name. Words such as “Bank,” “Cooperative,” “Guarantee,” “Loan,” “Mutual,” “Savings,” “Trust” and others require approval from the Office of Financial Institutions.

Director information

The following are Louisiana’s requirements for directors of corporations:

• Minimum number. Corporations must have one or more directors.
• Residence requirements. Louisiana requires directors to have a physical address (no post office boxes).
• Age requirements. Louisiana does not have age requirements.
• Inclusion in the Articles of Incorporation. Director names and addresses are not required to be listed in the Articles of Incorporation.

Requirements for the Articles of Incorporation

The document required to form a corporation in Louisiana is called the Articles of Incorporation. The information required in the formation document varies by state. Louisiana's requirements include:

• Officers. Officer names and addresses are not required to be listed in the Articles of Incorporation, but do need to be listed in the initial report, which is due at the time of incorporation.
• Stock. Authorized shares and par value must be listed in the Articles of Incorporation. An increase in the number of shares or par value does not affect initial filing fees.
• Registered agent. Corporations must list (in the initial report) the name and address of a registered agent with a physical address (no post office boxes) in Louisiana. The registered agent must be available during normal business hours to accept important legal and tax documents for the business.

Other filings required at time of incorporation

Some states require additional filings or steps at the time of incorporation, such as a county level filing, publishing notice of the incorporation in a local newspaper or an initial report filing. Louisiana requires the following:

• Initial report. Louisiana requires corporations to file an initial report at the time of incorporation.
• County filing. Louisiana also requires corporations to make a filing in the county of the corporation’s legal address. If the corporation’s legal address is not in Louisiana, the filing should be in the county of the corporation's registered agent.

Professional services businesses

Louisiana allows professionals, such as accountants, attorneys and physicians, to form a professional corporation (PC). 

After forming a corporation, you must undertake certain steps on an ongoing basis to keep your business in compliance. These steps are also important in preserving the limited liability a corporation provides its owners. This guide outlines the ongoing requirements for Louisiana corporations.

Corporate records

Louisiana corporations must keep the following with their corporate records at the principal address or at the registered office:

• Books and accounts showing the amounts of its assets and liabilities, receipts and disbursements, and gains and losses
• Records of the proceedings of shareholders, directors and any committees of the board of directors
• Stock register/transfer ledger with the names and addresses of shareholders, the number of classes held by each, and the dates on which the certificates were issued

Corporate taxes and fees

The following are taxation requirements and ongoing fees for Louisiana corporations:

• Annual report and franchise tax. Louisiana requires corporations to file an annual report that is due on the anniversary date of the incorporation. The fee is $25. Louisiana also requires a franchise tax that is due on the first day of the calendar or fiscal year. The franchise tax is calculated based on the amount of outstanding capital stock (authorized shares), surplus, undivided profits and borrowed capital. The borrowed capital component of this calculation will be phased out over a seven-year period from January 1, 2006, to January 1, 2012.
• Taxes. For complete details on state taxes for Louisiana corporations, visit Business Owner's Toolkit or the State of Louisiana .
• Federal tax identification number (EIN). An EIN is required for corporations that will have employees. Additionally, most banks require an EIN in order to open a business bank account.
• State tax identification number. Louisiana does not require a state tax identification number.

Business licenses

Business licenses and/or permits are required for most businesses. The BizFilings Business License Application Package can help you stay on top of these requirements.

S corporation election

Louisiana recognizes the federal S corporation election and does not require a state-level S corporation election.

Additional Louisiana information

View the following additional resources BizFilings has for forming and maintaining companies in Louisiana:

• Louisiana LLC Formation