Form an S-Corp in Louisiana
Forming an S-Corp in Louisiana costs $75 in state filing fees and typically takes 5-7 business days to process. After that, plan for a $30 annual report fee plus $110 a year in franchise or minimum tax.
Last verified July 2026 against official Louisiana sources · see sources
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How to File
Choose a Business Name
Select a unique corporate name that includes a required designator such as 'Corporation,' 'Incorporated,' 'Corp.,' or 'Inc.' Search the Louisiana Secretary of State's geauxBIZ database to confirm the name is available.
30 minutes
Appoint a Registered Agent
Designate a registered agent with a physical street address in Louisiana who is authorized to receive legal and official documents on behalf of the corporation. The agent can be an individual resident or a registered commercial agent.
15 minutes
File Articles of Incorporation
Prepare and file the Articles of Incorporation with the Louisiana Secretary of State through the geauxBIZ online portal or by mail, paying the $75 filing fee. The articles must include the corporate name, registered agent, purpose, and authorized shares.
1-2 hours
Adopt Corporate Bylaws
Draft and adopt internal corporate bylaws that govern the management, officer roles, meeting procedures, and operational rules of the corporation. While not filed with the state, bylaws are legally important and required for S-Corp election.
2-4 hours
What's Next After Filing
Once your S-Corp is officially formed, you'll want to complete these important steps:
- •Hold Organizational Meeting & Issue Stock — Conduct an initial organizational meeting of incorporators or directors to approve bylaws, elect officers, and issue stock certificates to shareholders. S-Corps are limited to 100 shareholders and only one class of stock.
- •Obtain EIN and File IRS Form 2553 — Apply for a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS, then file IRS Form 2553 (Election by a Small Business Corporation) to elect S-Corporation tax status. This must be filed by March 15 for the election to take effect in the current tax year.
- •Register for Louisiana State Taxes and Licenses — Register with the Louisiana Department of Revenue for state income tax withholding, sales tax (if applicable), and obtain any required local or parish business licenses. Louisiana S-Corps must file a Louisiana composite partnership return (Form IT-565) for nonresident shareholders.
Fees and Processing Time
- State filing fee:
- $75
- Expedite fee:
- $30
- Standard processing:
- 5-7 business days
- Expedited processing:
- 24-48 hours
Louisiana charges a $75 base filing fee for Articles of Incorporation. An additional $30 expedited processing fee applies for faster turnaround. There is also a minimum franchise tax of $110 for corporations with up to $100,000 in capital employed in Louisiana.
S-Corp in Louisiana: Quick Answers
How much does it cost to form an S-Corp in Louisiana?
The state filing fee is $75, plus $30 if you choose expedited processing. Optional costs such as a paid registered agent are on top of that.
How long does it take to form an S-Corp in Louisiana?
Standard processing is 5-7 business days; expedited processing is 24-48 hours.
Does an S-Corp in Louisiana need a registered agent?
Yes. You must name a registered agent with a physical Louisiana address. You can serve as your own agent if you have a Louisiana street address and are available during business hours.
Does Louisiana require an S-Corp to publish a notice?
No. Louisiana has no newspaper publication requirement for this entity type.
What are the annual fees and filings for an S-Corp in Louisiana?
The annual report fee is $30; franchise or minimum tax is $110 a year. Due: June 1. See Annual Obligations below for other required filings.
Advantages
- ✓Pass-through federal taxation eliminates double taxation, with profits and losses reported on shareholders' personal returns
- ✓Shareholders who work in the business can reduce self-employment taxes by splitting income between reasonable salary and distributions
- ✓Louisiana S-Corps provide strong limited liability protection, shielding personal assets from business debts and liabilities
- ✓Established corporate structure with transferable shares enhances credibility with lenders, investors, and customers
Considerations
- •Louisiana imposes a corporate franchise tax on S-Corps, which is not the case in all states, adding a tax burden not present with LLCs
- •Strict IRS eligibility rules limit S-Corps to 100 shareholders, one class of stock, and only U.S. citizens or permanent residents as shareholders
- •Greater administrative complexity with requirements to maintain corporate minutes, hold annual meetings, and adhere to formalities compared to an LLC
Annual Obligations
How an S-Corp Compares in Louisiana
S-Corp vs. LLC
Unlike a Louisiana LLC, an S-Corporation requires strict adherence to corporate formalities such as annual meetings and minutes, and is subject to Louisiana's franchise tax; however, S-Corps may offer payroll tax savings not available to LLC members taking self-employment income.
S-Corp vs. Partnership
Unlike a general partnership, a Louisiana S-Corporation provides full limited liability protection for all shareholders, requires formal state registration and IRS election, and subjects owners to reasonable salary requirements rather than pure pass-through self-employment income.
S-Corp vs. Nonprofit
A Louisiana S-Corporation is a for-profit entity designed to generate and distribute earnings to shareholders, whereas a nonprofit corporation operates for exempt purposes, cannot distribute profits to members, and may qualify for state and federal tax exemptions unavailable to S-Corps.
Sources
Fees, steps and deadlines on this page come from Louisiana's official filing office and tax agency pages listed below and were last verified in July 2026. Fees change — confirm on the official site before you file.
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