Louisiana · Corporation
How to Start a Corporation in Louisiana
Louisiana's Secretary of State fees went up on October 1, 2026, so older guides are out of date.
See the stepsShort answer
To start a corporation in Louisiana, file Articles of Incorporation, Louisiana Business (Form 399), with the Secretary of State for $95. At checkout that is $100 for Louisiana plus $123.75 for our formation, $223.75 before card processing. That is the fee in effect since October 1, 2026. You then file an annual report every year for $35. A 24-hour expedite is $35 more.
Last checked .How do I incorporate in Louisiana, step by step?
Under Act 921, Louisiana's Secretary of State fees rose on October 1, 2026. Check the date on any older figure you see. A business corporation now pays $95 to file Form 399 and $35 for each annual report.
Choose and check the name
Check availability in the Secretary of State's Commercial Database. Type the name without the ending, such as Inc., and review similar names. The office will also do a preliminary check by phone. See the Louisiana name search guide.
Name a registered agent
Every corporation needs one in the state (the rule). Ours is $74.25 a year.
File articles of incorporation, louisiana business
File the Articles of Incorporation, Louisiana Business (Form 399) with Louisiana. The fee at our checkout is $100. Details are below.
Adopt bylaws
Bylaws are the board's rules: how directors are elected, how meetings run and how officers are chosen. Every corporation we form includes them.
Name directors, officers and issue shares
A Louisiana board has one or more directors, and the corporation must have a secretary. 7 Hold an organizational meeting, record it in minutes, and issue stock to the owners.
Get an EIN
The EIN is the corporation's federal tax ID. The IRS issues it free at irs.gov.
Register for state taxes
Register with Louisiana Department of Revenue: register a business for state tax accounts through Louisiana File Online. 10
File the annual report
Put the first deadline on your calendar before you file anything else. See the Louisiana annual report page and the filings below.
How much does it cost to incorporate in Louisiana?
| Item | Cost | When |
|---|---|---|
| State fees (what our checkout charges) | $100 | At filing |
| Our formation, bylaws included | $123.75 | At filing |
| Total for the filing | $223.75 | Before card processing |
| With our registered agent for a year (Formation + Registered Agent) | $278.20 | At filing |
| With the Day-One Bundle | $322 | At filing |
| Annual Report (each year) | $35 8 | once a year; the due date shows on your business record at the Secretary of State |
| Registered agent after the first year | $74.25 a year | Optional |
Card processing is added at checkout and shown before you pay. State fees: $95 articles + $5 credit card convenience fee = $100. 1 2
Louisiana at a glance
| Question | Louisiana |
|---|---|
| Formation filing and state fee | Articles of Incorporation, Louisiana Business (Form 399), $95 3 |
| Expedited filing | 24-hour expedite $35, while-you-wait priority expedite $60 4 |
| Name rule | Must contain corporation, incorporated, company or limited, or corp., inc., co. or ltd. 5 |
| Registered agent | Must continuously maintain a registered office in Louisiana and a registered agent who is a Louisiana-resident individual or an entity maintaining an office in the state 6 |
| Directors and officers | At least 1 director; officers: a secretary, plus any other officers described in the bylaws or appointed by the board 7 |
| Annual report | Annual Report, $35, due once a year; the due date shows on your business record at the Secretary of State 8 |
| Corporate income tax | 5.5% flat 9 |
Do I need a registered agent in Louisiana?
A Louisiana corporation must continuously maintain a registered office in the state and a registered agent, who is either a Louisiana resident or an entity with an office in Louisiana. 6 You can be your own agent if you have a street address in the state and are there in business hours, but the address goes on the public record. Ours, through our partner Registered Agents Inc, is $74.25 a year, or $178.20 with the formation. Louisiana registered agent rules.
What goes in the Louisiana articles of incorporation, louisiana business?
File Form 399, Articles of Incorporation, Louisiana Business, with the Commercial Division for $95. A 24-hour expedite adds $35 and while-you-wait priority service adds $60.
Which annual reports and franchise taxes will a Louisiana corporation owe?
File an annual report every year for $35, even if nothing has changed, by mail, fax or online. Your business record at the Secretary of State shows when it is due.
How do I start an S corp in Louisiana?
A corporation is a C corporation unless it elects otherwise. An S corp is a tax election, not another kind of entity. The order is plain: form the corporation, get the EIN, then file IRS Form 2553 within 2 months and 15 days after start of the tax year the election takes effect (or any time in the prior tax year) 12. Louisiana does not treat S corporations the same way as the IRS for all purposes, and S corporations may be required to file a Louisiana corporation income tax return. 11
We file Form 2553 for $165. Run your own numbers in the calculator or read Louisiana: S corp or C corp.
Should I form a corporation or an LLC in Louisiana?
Shares, a board and officers. The usual choice when you plan to raise money from investors or issue stock options.
Fewer formalities and flexible ownership. Often the simpler choice for one owner or a small team.
Compare the two: How to start an LLC in Louisiana.
Raising venture money? Investors usually ask for a Delaware C corporation, which you then register in Louisiana as a foreign corporation. See how to start a corporation in Delaware.
What do I do after filing in Louisiana?
- Adopt the bylaws and hold the first board meeting; write minutes.
- Issue stock to the owners and keep a stock ledger.
- Get the EIN, open a business bank account and keep money separate.
Form your Louisiana corporation
We file it for $123.75 plus the state fee ($100), with bylaws included. Add the registered agent for $178.20 in all, or take the Day-One Bundle at $222.
Common questions
How much does it cost to incorporate in Louisiana?
$95 for Form 399, Articles of Incorporation, Louisiana Business, since the increase effective October 1, 2026.
How much is the Louisiana corporation annual report?
$35, required every year even if nothing has changed.
Can I expedite a Louisiana corporation filing?
Yes. A 24-hour expedite is $35 and while-you-wait service is $60, both added to the filing fee.
Did Louisiana change its Secretary of State fees in 2026?
Yes. Under Act 921, fees increased effective October 1, 2026.
Sources 12 links, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Louisiana: Articles of Incorporation Louisiana Business, $95. sos.la.gov, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Louisiana: Credit card convenience fee, $5. sos.la.gov, checked Nov 7, 2026
- In Louisiana you file Articles of Incorporation, Louisiana Business (Form 399), with the Secretary of State for $95, the fee in effect since October 1, 2026. sos.la.gov, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Louisiana offers a 24-hour expedite for $35 and while-you-wait priority service for $60, both on top of the filing fee. sos.la.gov, checked Nov 7, 2026
- A Louisiana corporation's name must contain the word corporation, incorporated, company or limited, or the abbreviation corp., inc., co. or ltd. legis.la.gov, checked Nov 7, 2026
- A Louisiana corporation must continuously maintain a registered office in the state and a registered agent, who is either a Louisiana resident or an entity with an office in Louisiana. legis.la.gov, checked Nov 7, 2026
- A Louisiana board has one or more directors, and the corporation must have a secretary. legis.la.gov, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Louisiana corporations file an annual report every year, and the fee is $35. sos.la.gov, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Louisiana taxes C corporation income at a flat 5.5% for periods beginning on or after January 1, 2025. revenue.louisiana.gov, checked Nov 6, 2026
- A Louisiana business registers or manages its tax accounts with the Department of Revenue. revenue.louisiana.gov, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Louisiana does not treat S corporations the same way as the IRS for all purposes, and S corporations may be required to file a Louisiana corporation income tax return. revenue.louisiana.gov, checked Nov 6, 2026
- IRS: Form 2553 instructions irs.gov, checked Nov 6, 2026
Last verified Nov 7, 2026.
This page explains the rules; it is not legal or tax advice.