Starting a Business in Louisiana: Licenses, Registrations & Checklist

Louisiana start-up checklist

Register for state taxes with Louisiana Department of Revenue. Official page
Business-level tax: Corporate income tax; corporate franchise tax (being phased out).
Sales tax: get a Louisiana sales tax account (LaTAP) from Louisiana Department of Revenue before you sell taxable goods. Official page
Remote sellers must register once sales into the state pass $100,000 a year.
Local sales taxes are administered by each locality, with separate filings.
If you have employees, withhold Louisiana income tax from wages and register for withholding. Official page

Register for unemployment insurance with Louisiana Workforce Commission. The 2026 taxable wage base is $7,000 per employee; experience-rated rates run from 0.09% to 6%. Official page
Workers' compensation through Louisiana Office of Workers' Compensation Administration and private insurers. Required when: 1 employee
Post the required labor notices at your workplace. Official page

(LLCs, corporations and nonprofits): every year around the formation anniversary; fee $35.
Renew LLP registration (limited liability partnerships): Renewal before the registration term expires; fee $155.
State tax returns and payments (sales, withholding, unemployment) follow the schedule your agency assigns when you register.

Business filings and annual reports: Louisiana Secretary of State. Official page
Taxes: Louisiana Department of Revenue. Official page
Unemployment insurance and labor rules: Louisiana Workforce Commission. Official page
Workers' compensation: Louisiana Office of Workers' Compensation Administration.
Contractor licensing: Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors.
Real estate licensing: Louisiana Real Estate Commission.
Alcohol licensing: Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control.
Child care licensing: Louisiana Department of Education.
Health facility licensing: Louisiana Department of Health.

Parish/municipal occupational license (Parish or city): Parishes and cities issue occupational licenses and many collect their own sales tax.
Cannabis: medical licensing only, regulated by Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (production) and Louisiana Board of Pharmacy (dispensing).

Checked against official sources on October 13, 2026. Rules change; confirm each item with its agency.

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