Louisiana works well if you already have customers, a warehouse, or a physical presence in the state, since forming where you actually operate keeps your paperwork simple. This guide walks through the costs, the annual requirements, and when a different state makes more sense for you.
Who Louisiana suits
Louisiana is a reasonable home state for your LLC if your business has a real connection there, such as a physical office, inventory, contractors, or clients based in the state. If you have no physical tie to Louisiana and you are forming purely as a non-US founder running an online business, you may get simpler ongoing filings by picking a state built for out-of-state owners, which we cover below.
What it costs in year one
Louisiana charges a $100 filing fee to form an LLC, or $75 if you form a corporation instead. That state fee comes on top of whatever PowerLaunch plan you choose. Here is what year one looks like on each plan.
| Plan | Plan price | Louisiana LLC filing fee | Year one total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch | $295/yr | $100 | $395 |
| Run | $1,995/yr | $100 | $2,095 |
| Scale | $2,995/yr or $329/mo | $100 | $3,095 (plus $100 if paying monthly) |
If you need your EIN faster than the standard timeline, the expedited EIN add-on is $295 on Launch and Run, and it is already included on Scale.
What it costs after year one
Louisiana requires an annual report to keep your LLC in good standing, and the associated state cost is $35 a year. On top of that, you renew your PowerLaunch plan at its normal price. So your ongoing yearly cost is your plan price plus $35, with no formation fee to repeat since that is a one-time cost.
| Plan | Plan renewal | Louisiana annual state cost | Total ongoing yearly cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch | $295 | $35 | $330 |
| Run | $1,995 | $35 | $2,030 |
| Scale | $2,995 or $329/mo | $35 | $3,030 (or $329/mo plus $35) |
Registered agent requirement
Louisiana requires every LLC to keep a registered agent with a physical street address in the state, available during business hours to receive legal and state mail. This is not optional and missing it can put your LLC out of good standing. A registered agent is included in every PowerLaunch plan, so this is handled for you from the day your LLC is formed.
Annual report
Louisiana requires an annual report filing to keep your LLC active, and the associated state cost is the $35 mentioned above. Missing this filing can lead to your LLC being marked delinquent or eventually dissolved by the state. On the Run and Scale plans, PowerLaunch files this annual report for you as part of the plan. On Launch, you are responsible for filing it yourself, though your MyCG.AI dashboard will remind you when it is due. Louisiana's exact rules and deadlines can shift, so always check the state's official site for the current requirement before you file.
State income tax position
Louisiana does apply a state income tax, and how that applies to your LLC depends on how the LLC is taxed at the federal level and where its income is earned. This guide will not give you exact rates since they can change, and the right treatment depends on your specific setup. A licensed tax professional, included in the Run and Scale plans, can walk you through what applies to your business specifically. If you are on Launch and want that guidance, you can add a consultation or move up to Run.
Regardless of state tax, if you are a non-US founder with a single-member LLC, you generally still need to file Form 5472 along with a pro forma 1120 with the IRS by April 15 each year. This is a federal filing requirement separate from anything Louisiana asks for, and it applies even in years with no income.
When Wyoming or Delaware fits better
If your business has no physical presence in Louisiana and you are choosing a state purely for the cleanest, most predictable non-resident setup, Wyoming or Delaware are often better fits. Wyoming tends to suit founders who want low ongoing costs and fast formation. Delaware tends to suit founders planning to raise investment, since it is the default choice for many investors.
| Factor | Louisiana | Wyoming | Delaware |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best suited for | Businesses with a real Louisiana presence | Non-resident founders wanting simplicity | Founders planning to raise venture funding |
| Typical formation speed | About 1 week | 1 to 3 business days | 1 to 3 business days |
| State income tax | Applies, depends on your setup | No state income tax on the LLC itself | Franchise tax applies, income tax depends on setup |
If none of your operations touch Louisiana, it is worth a quick conversation before you file, since the state you pick shapes your annual paperwork for as long as the LLC exists.
Step-by-step through PowerLaunch
- Go to powerlaunch.solutions/signup and pick your plan, Launch, Run, or Scale, based on how much ongoing support you want.
- Tell us Louisiana is your chosen state, or ask us to confirm it is the right fit for you before filing.
- We prepare and file your formation documents with the state, covering both the LLC filing and your registered agent setup.
- We apply for your EIN with the IRS. This typically takes 2 to 4 weeks for non-resident owners without an SSN, or a matter of days if you add expedited processing.
- Once your EIN is issued, we help you apply for a business bank account with a partner such as Mercury, Wise Business, or Relay. Approval is always the bank's decision, not ours.
- Your MyCG.AI dashboard goes live, giving you an AI assistant, your documents, and reminders for filings like your annual report and your Form 5472.
- On Run and Scale, your licensed tax professional consultation and ongoing filings are scheduled as part of the plan.
If PowerLaunch makes an error in your formation, we fix it at our cost and refund that portion of our fee. State filing fees themselves are never refundable, since they go directly to Louisiana.
What to do next
If you are ready to move forward, head to powerlaunch.solutions/signup and pick the plan that matches how much support you want this year. If you are still deciding between Louisiana, Wyoming, or Delaware, book a free 20-minute consultation at powerlaunch.solutions/book and we will help you pick the state that actually fits your business.
