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<v Dan>To start an LLC in Louisiana, you file Articles of Organization, Form 365, together

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<v Dan>with an Initial Report, with the Louisiana Secretary of State, and pay $125.

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<v Maya>Has that always been the price?

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<v Dan>No. The fee went up from $100 on October 1, 2026.

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<v Maya>This is The Business Formation Podcast.

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<v Maya>Today, Louisiana for 2026, in six steps, with what it all costs and the three best

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<v Maya>ways to have it filed for you.

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<v Maya>Where do we begin?

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<v Dan>The name needs limited liability company, or L.L.C., or L.C.

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<v Dan>And it has to be distinguishable from names already on record.

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<v Maya>Anything I can't put in it?

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<v Dan>You can't use d/b/a in the name.

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<v Maya>How do I check what's taken?

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<v Dan>The Secretary of State has a free business search.

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<v Dan>Start there.

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<v Maya>And holding a name for later?

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<v Dan>You can reserve one for 120 days.

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<v Dan>That's $25.

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<v Maya>Who can be my registered agent in Louisiana?

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<v Dan>A Louisiana resident or a qualifying business.

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<v Dan>It needs a Louisiana street address, not just a P.O.

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<v Dan>box.

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<v Maya>Does the agent have to accept in some way?

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<v Dan>Yes. Each agent signs a notarized affidavit accepting the job.

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<v Maya>Could I be my own agent?

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<v Dan>If you're a Louisiana resident with a Louisiana street address, that fits the rule.

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<v Dan>You'd still sign the notarized affidavit.

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<v Maya>Is the agent's information private?

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<v Dan>No. The name and address are public.

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<v Dan>That's why many owners use a commercial agent.

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<v Dan>Changing agents later costs $30.

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<v Maya>Where do I file?

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<v Dan>On geauxBIZ, the state's online system.

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<v Dan>You submit Form 365 together with the Initial Report.

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<v Dan>It's $125.

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<v Maya>I'm Maya, by the way, here with Dan.

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<v Dan>Good to meet you, Maya. Now, the Initial Report lists the registered office, each

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<v Dan>agent, and your first members or managers.

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<v Maya>Is the Initial Report a separate filing?

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<v Dan>No. You file it together with Form 365 on geauxBIZ.

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<v Maya>Does paying by card cost extra?

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<v Dan>Yes. Paying by card adds a $5 convenience fee.

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<v Maya>Can I speed it up?

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<v Dan>Expedite is $35 for 24 hours, or $60 while you wait.

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<v Maya>Does the state want a copy?

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<v Dan>No. It isn't filed with the Secretary of State, and there's no state fee.

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<v Dan>Keep it with your records.

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<v Maya>Do I really need one?

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<v Dan>For a single-member LLC, Louisiana law looks for a written agreement.

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<v Dan>So put yours in writing.

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<v Maya>What goes in it?

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<v Dan>Who owns what, how profits are split, who makes decisions, and what happens if a

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<v Dan>member leaves.

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<v Maya>What about the federal side?

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<v Dan>Apply for your EIN free with the IRS at IRS.gov, after the state files your

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<v Dan>Articles.

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<v Maya>How soon do I get the number?

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<v Dan>If the online application is approved, the IRS issues it right away.

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<v Maya>And the state tax side?

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<v Dan>On geauxBIZ, you can also register for a Louisiana tax account in the same session.

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<v Maya>What about the beneficial ownership report?

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<v Dan>You can skip it. FinCEN no longer requires it from U.S.

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<v Dan>companies.

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<v Maya>What do I file after I'm formed?

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<v Dan>An annual report, every year, on or before the anniversary of your formation.

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<v Maya>What does it cost, and where do I file it?

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<v Dan>It's $35, and you can file it on geauxBIZ, the same system as the Articles.

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<v Maya>And the deadline again?

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<v Dan>On or before the anniversary of your formation, every year.

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<v Maya>What if I miss it?

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<v Dan>The LLC is no longer in good standing.

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<v Maya>And if I keep missing it?

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<v Dan>Miss three years in a row, and the Secretary of State can revoke your Articles after

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<v Dan>a 30-day notice.

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<v Maya>Give me the do-it-yourself number.

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<v Dan>$125 to form. Then $35 a year for the annual report.

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<v Maya>And the card?

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<v Dan>A $5 convenience fee, if you pay that way.

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<v Dan>So $130.

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<v Maya>And the EIN?

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<v Dan>Free.

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<v Maya>Anything optional?

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<v Dan>A name reservation at $25, expedite at $35 or $60, and

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<v Dan>$30 if you change agents later.

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<v Maya>Back to the price. What exactly changed?

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<v Dan>The Articles fee went from $100 to $125 on October 1, 2026.

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<v Maya>Does that include the Initial Report?

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<v Dan>Yes. The $125 covers Form 365 together with the Initial Report.

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<v Maya>So guides quoting $100 are out of date.

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<v Dan>Right. For 2026, plan on $125.

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<v Maya>Walk me through the agent rules once more.

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<v Dan>A Louisiana resident or a qualifying business, at a Louisiana street address.

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<v Maya>Is a P.O. box enough?

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<v Dan>Not by itself.

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<v Maya>What does the agent sign?

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<v Dan>A notarized affidavit accepting the job.

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<v Maya>And switching later?

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<v Dan>$30.

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<v Maya>Let me press on the annual report.

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<v Maya>It's only $35.

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<v Dan>Which makes it cheap to file and easy to forget.

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<v Maya>What's the first consequence of missing it?

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<v Dan>The LLC is no longer in good standing.

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<v Maya>And after that?

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<v Dan>Three missed years in a row, and the state can revoke your Articles after a 30-day

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<v Dan>notice.

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<v Maya>So $35 on time is the easier path.

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<v Dan>By a wide margin.

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<v Maya>Give me the order of operations.

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<v Dan>Search the name. Choose your registered agent.

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<v Dan>File Form 365 with the Initial Report on geauxBIZ for $125.

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<v Dan>Then get your EIN and write your operating agreement.

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<v Maya>And the calendar?

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<v Dan>The $35 annual report, on or before your anniversary date, every year.

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<v Maya>What if I'd rather have someone else file?

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<v Dan>Here are the three best ways to file in Louisiana.

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<v Dan>Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state

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<v Dan>fee. With the $125 state fee and the $5 card fee, checkout comes to

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<v Dan>$329.

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<v Maya>What does that include?

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<v Dan>Your Articles and Initial Report filed, your EIN application, and your registered

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<v Dan>agent every year. It renews at the same $199.

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<v Maya>And the annual report?

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<v Dan>Mainstay prepares and files it by your anniversary date every year.

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<v Dan>You pay only the $35 state fee.

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<v Maya>Number two?

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<v Dan>LA Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Articles for

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<v Dan>$199 plus the state fee, also $329 at checkout.

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<v Dan>The first year of agent service is free, then it's $99 a year.

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<v Maya>And number three?

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<v Dan>Louisiana Registered Agent.co.

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<v Dan>Same offer. $199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service free, then

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<v Dan>$99 a year.

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<v Maya>How do I choose?

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<v Dan>If you'll file your own annual report, numbers two and three cost less from year

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<v Dan>two, at $99 a year for the agent alone.

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<v Dan>The $35 state fee is the same either way.

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<v Maya>Give me the three-year view.

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<v Dan>Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597.

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<v Dan>Number two or three is $199 in year one, then $99 in each of the next

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<v Dan>two years, for $397.

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<v Maya>A $200 gap.

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<v Dan>Yes, and with Mainstay that gap pays for the annual report being filed on time each

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<v Dan>year.

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<v Maya>Can I hear it one more time?

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<v Dan>Choose a name with LLC in it, name a registered agent at a Louisiana street address,

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<v Dan>file Form 365 and the Initial Report for $125, write an operating

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<v Dan>agreement, get your free EIN, and file your $35 annual report every

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<v Dan>year.

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<v Maya>The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes.

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<v Maya>Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new

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<v Maya>Louisiana LLC.