How Much Does It Cost to Form an LLC in Louisiana?

How much does it cost to form an LLC in Louisiana? The answer may vary depending on the circumstances, but here is a general overview.

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The Cost of Forming an LLC in Louisiana

LLC formation in Louisiana generally requires the filing of Articles of Organization with the Louisiana Secretary of State, along with the required filing fee. The standard filing fee for LLCs in Louisiana is $100. However, there are a few additional fees that may apply, depending on the LLC’s situation. For example, if the LLC will have more than one member, an annual registration fee of $50 will be required.

The filing fee for forming an LLC in Louisiana is $100

Louisiana LLCs are required to file a few organizational documents and pay some fees with the state in order to legally form and operate. The cost of forming an LLC in Louisiana is $100, which is the filing fee for the Articles of Organization. You may also need to pay a Registered Agent service fee, which can range from $50-$500 per year.

In addition to the initial filing fee and Registered Agent service fee, there are also annual report fees and taxes that LLCs in Louisiana must pay. The annual report fee is $15, and the minimum tax for LLCs is $45 per year. LLCs that earn income in Louisiana will also need to pay state income taxes, which range from 2% to 6% of their total income.

Because of all these potential fees, it’s important to factor in the total cost of forming and maintaining an LLC in Louisiana before you decide to form one. However, overall, the cost of forming an LLC in Louisiana is relatively low compared to other states.

The cost of an LLC Operating Agreement is $50

LLC operating agreements are important documents that outline the ownership and governance structure of your limited liability company.3 min read

An LLC operating agreement is not required in Louisiana, but we highly recommend that you draft one anyway. Why? Because an LLC operating agreement:

outlines the ownership and governance structure of your limited liability company,
protects your personal assets in the event that your business is sued, and
can help you avoid member disputes down the road.

Plus, if you ever want to sell your LLC or bring on new members, an operating agreement will make the process a whole lot smoother.

So how much does it cost to create an LLC operating agreement in Louisiana? Generally speaking, you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $500 for a basic LLC operating agreement template. Of course, the final price will depend on factors like whether you hire an attorney or use an online service.

Ready to get started? Check out our step-by-step guide to drafting an LLC operating agreement.

The cost of a Registered Agent is $35

The cost of a Registered Agent is $35, which covers the first year of service. A LLC Kit & Supplies will cost around $50, and Filing Fees will cost $155. The total cost to start a LLC in Louisiana is $240.

How to Form an LLC in Louisiana

Before you form an LLC in Louisiana, you need to know the basics of what an LLC is and does.3 min read An LLC, or limited liability company, is a business structure that can combine the pass-through taxation of a partnership or sole proprietorship with the limited liability of a corporation.

Choose a name for your LLC

Your LLC name must include the phrase “limited liability company” or the abbreviation “L.L.C.” It’s important to choose a name that’s both unique and recognizable. You can check to see if your desired name is available by searching the Louisiana Secretary of State database.

If you plan to do business in other states, you should also check to see if your desired name is available in those states. Keep in mind that you may need to register your LLC in multiple states if you do business in more than one state.

Once you’ve chosen a name, you’ll need to file articles of organization with the Louisiana Secretary of State. The articles of organization must include:

-The LLC’s name
-The LLC’s purpose
-The LLC’s duration (if it’s not perpetual)
-The LLC’s registered agent and address
-The names and addresses of the LLC’s organizers

File the Articles of Organization

The first step in forming an LLC in Louisiana is to file the Articles of Organization with the Louisiana Secretary of State. The Articles of Organization must include the LLC’s name, address, and the names of its members.

You can file the Articles of Organization online, by mail, or in person. The filing fee is $100, and there is an additional $25 fee if you want a certified copy of the filed document.

Once the Articles of Organization are filed, you will need to draft and adopt an Operating Agreement. The Operating Agreement outlines the LLC’s rules and regulations, including how profits and losses will be distributed among the members.

It is not required to have an Operating Agreement in Louisiana, but it is strongly recommended. Without one, your LLC will be governed by the state’s default rules, which may not be what you want.

After you have filed the Articles of Organization and drafted an Operating Agreement, you can start doing business in Louisiana!

Create an LLC Operating Agreement

An LLC operating agreement is not required in Louisiana, but we highly recommend that you create one. An LLC operating agreement is a document that outlines the ownership and operational structure of your LLC. It is essentially your LLC’s constitution.

While an LLC operating agreement is not required by the state of Louisiana, having one gives your LLC several advantages:

It can help you avoid member lawsuits by addressing controversial topics in advance, such as how to resolve disagreements or what will happen if a member wants to leave the LLC.

It can help you prove to courts and other businesses that your LLC is a separate legal entity.

It can help you avoid personal liability for business debts and obligations.

Creating an operating agreement does not have to be complicated or expensive. You can find many templates and samples online or you can hire an attorney to draft one for you.

Appoint a Registered Agent

You must appoint a registered agent for your LLC. A registered agent is a person or business that agrees to accept service of process on behalf of your LLC. This means that if your LLC is ever sued, the registered agent will be served with the lawsuit and will be required to provide notice to you. The registered agent can be an individual Louisianan resident or a business entity authorized to transact business in Louisiana. The address of the registered agent must be a physical street address in Louisiana, P.O. Boxes are not allowed. You may appoint yourself as the LLC’s registered agent.

Maintaining Your LLC

To keep your LLC in good standing with the Louisiana Secretary of State, you must pay an annual $60 LLC fee. You must also file an annual report, which costs $25. These fees are due by May 1st of each year.

File an Annual Report

You will need to file an Annual Report for your LLC every year. The cost to file the Annual Report is $50. The Annual Report is due on May 1st and must be postmarked by that date.

Hold Annual Meetings

It is important for LLCs to hold an annual meeting in order to stay organized and maintain their limited liability company status. During this meeting, the LLC should elect a board of directors, review the previous year’s financials, and set goals for the upcoming year. Failing to hold an annual meeting can result in personal liability for the LLC’s members.

Keep Minutes of Meetings

Minutes are a written record of what transpired at an LLC meeting. You don’t have to take official minutes, but if you do, be sure to date and sign them. Keep them in a book or binder designated as the LLC’s “minute book.” The minutes should include:

-The date, time and location of the meeting.
-A list of attendees and whether they were present or absent.
-Whether the meeting was held via telephone conference call or some other electronic means, and if so, the identity of each person participating in the meeting.
-A summary of any votes taken, including the outcome of each vote.
-Any other important information discussed during the meeting.

Change Your LLC’s Registered Agent

You are required to appoint (and maintain) a registered agent for your LLC. A registered agent is an individual or business that agrees to accept service of process on behalf of your LLC. (This is also sometimes referred to as a “statutory agent.”)

Service of process is formal notice that you are being sued and is served on your LLC by the person or company initiating the lawsuit. The registered agent must be available during normal business hours to receive service of process and must have a physical address in Louisiana. The registered agent can be either an individual who resides in Louisiana or a business entity that is authorized to conduct business in Louisiana.

You may change your LLC’s registered agent by filing a certificate of change with the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office. To do this, you will need to complete and submit the Certificate of Change form and pay the $60 filing fee.

It is important to keep your LLC’s registered agent information up-to-date, as this is how legal documents will be delivered if your LLC is ever sued.