Form Your Louisiana C Corporation
Incorporate in the Pelican State to issue stock, raise venture capital, and build a board-governed company with Gulf Coast access and a repealed franchise tax
Filed in Louisiana
The Pelican State · LA
- State filing fee$75
- Processing time1-2 business days (online geauxBIZ)
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$30/year (franchise tax repealed) — due Anniversary month of incorporation
- State tax rate5.5% flat corporate income tax
- Expedited option24 hours (+$30)
Form your Louisiana C-Corp — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
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Everything to launch your Louisiana C-Corp
Free formation means you pay only the $75 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Articles of Incorporation filing
We prepare and submit your Articles of Incorporation to the Louisiana Secretary of State.
Registered agent
Required in Louisiana — we act as your agent for the first year.
EIN from the IRS
Your federal Tax ID — required to open a US business bank account and file taxes.
Corporate bylaws
Professionally drafted corporate bylaws — defines ownership, voting, and profit splits.
Benefits of forming an C-Corp in Louisiana
Louisiana pairs a low $75 incorporation fee and a repealed franchise tax with strategic Gulf Coast ports and a deep energy and petrochemical base, making it a cost-efficient home for a C Corporation. The state's stock-issuance and board structure give founders the cap table, equity grants, and governance that venture capitalists and institutional investors require to fund priced rounds.
Low $75 state filing fee to incorporate in Louisiana
Issue multiple classes of stock to fund a cap table and equity grants
The C Corp structure venture capitalists and institutional investors expect
Perpetual existence that survives changes in ownership or directors
Franchise tax repealed for periods on or after January 1, 2026
Strategic Gulf Coast location with major ports and a strong energy sector
QSBS / Section 1202 benefits may apply to qualifying founder and investor stock
Affordable $30 annual report keeps ongoing Louisiana compliance light
Key features of a Louisiana C-Corp
- Issue stock and equity to raise priced rounds and SAFEs
- Board of directors and corporate bylaws governance
- Franchise tax repealed for periods on or after Jan 1, 2026
- geauxBIZ online filing with 1-2 business day processing
- Perpetual existence independent of ownership changes
Major industries in Louisiana
Form your Louisiana C-Corp in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes 1-2 business days (online geauxBIZ).
- 01
Choose Your Corporation Name
Your name must include a corporate designator such as 'Corporation,' 'Incorporated,' 'Company,' or an abbreviation like 'Inc.' or 'Corp.' Search the Louisiana Secretary of State's database to confirm the name is available and distinguishable.
- 02
Appoint a Registered Agent
Louisiana requires a registered agent with a physical address in the state to receive service of process and official legal correspondence on behalf of the corporation.
- 03
File Articles of Incorporation
Submit your Articles of Incorporation to the Louisiana Secretary of State. The filing fee is $75 and online filing through the geauxBIZ portal typically processes in 1-2 business days.
- 04
Adopt Bylaws and Appoint Directors
Hold an organizational meeting to adopt corporate bylaws, appoint your board of directors, and authorize the issuance of stock. Louisiana requires at least one director.
- 05
Issue Stock and File 83(b) Elections
Issue shares to founders and record them on your cap table. Founders receiving restricted stock should file an 83(b) election with the IRS within 30 days to manage future tax on vesting.
- 06
Obtain an EIN and File the Annual Report
Apply for a free EIN from the IRS for banking, payroll, and federal tax. File the Louisiana annual report each year during your incorporation anniversary month ($30).
Louisiana C-Corp costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
Louisiana C-Corp requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a Louisiana C-Corp in 2026.
- File Articles of Incorporation with the Louisiana Secretary of State ($75)
- Appoint a registered agent with a physical Louisiana address
- Adopt corporate bylaws and appoint a board of directors (minimum one)
- Issue stock to shareholders and maintain a cap table
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS
- File the annual report during your incorporation anniversary month ($30)
- Obtain any necessary state and local business licenses
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Incorporation
- Filing agency
- Louisiana Secretary of State
- Registered agent
- Required
- Corporate bylaws
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $25 (60 days)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $75 Louisiana state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, corporate bylaws, and compliance.
Starter
- Articles of Incorporation filing
- Name availability check
- Digital document delivery
- Formation status tracking
Booster
- Everything in Starter
- Registered agent (required in Louisiana)
- EIN / Federal Tax ID
- Expedited processing (1–2 days)
- Corporate bylaws
- Priority support
- Kicker Voice — 3-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 15 days
Founder
- Everything in Booster
- Business mailing address
- Bookkeeping — 3 months free
- Dedicated account manager
- Rush processing
- Kicker Voice — 6-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 30 days
Kicker
- Everything in Founder
- ITIN filing & preparation
- Same-day priority processing
- 2nd year annual filing $0
- Kicker Voice 12-day + Kicker Pay 60 days free
Compare all plans on our pricing page.
Louisiana C-Corp questions, answered
Common questions about forming an C-Corp in Louisiana. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to form a C Corporation in Louisiana?
The state filing fee for Articles of Incorporation is $75, paid to the Louisiana Secretary of State. Ongoing, the annual report fee is $30, and Louisiana's franchise tax has been repealed for periods on or after January 1, 2026.
How long does it take to incorporate in Louisiana?
Online filings through the geauxBIZ portal are typically processed in 1-2 business days. The Louisiana Secretary of State is the filing agency for your Articles of Incorporation.
How is a C Corporation taxed in Louisiana?
A C Corp pays the flat 21% federal corporate income tax plus Louisiana's 5.5% flat state corporate income tax. Profits distributed as dividends are taxed again at the shareholder level, which is the 'double taxation' that defines the C Corp.
Why choose a C Corporation instead of an LLC?
A C Corp issues stock, maintains a cap table, and is governed by a board of directors and bylaws with perpetual existence. This is the structure venture capitalists and institutional investors expect, making it the right choice if you plan to raise priced rounds or SAFEs.
What is QSBS and the 83(b) election?
Qualified Small Business Stock (Section 1202) benefits may apply to qualifying C Corp stock, potentially reducing federal tax on a future sale. Separately, founders who receive restricted stock should file an 83(b) election with the IRS within 30 days of issuance to lock in tax treatment as the shares vest.
Does my Louisiana corporation have to file a BOI report?
Under FinCEN's March 2025 interim final rule, U.S. domestic entities and U.S. persons are exempt from Beneficial Ownership Information reporting. Only entities formed outside the U.S. and registered to do business in a U.S. state still file.
Does Louisiana still have a franchise tax for corporations?
Louisiana repealed its corporate franchise tax for periods on or after January 1, 2026, removing a recurring cost for incorporated businesses. Your main ongoing state obligation is the $30 annual report filed each anniversary month.
When is the Louisiana corporation annual report due?
The annual report is due during the anniversary month of your incorporation, with a $30 filing fee. You can file it online through the geauxBIZ portal, and late filing can lead to penalties or administrative dissolution.
Louisiana government filing resources
Filing fees for common C-Corp services
Official Louisiana state charges for the filings you may need after formation — our service fee is separate, and we confirm the current amount before filing.
$25 filing fee.
Louisiana issues a Certificate of Good Standing (the SOS also refers to it as a 'duplicate' certificate).
Learn more$15 for a certified copy of an individual filed document (corporations, LLCs, foreign entities).
$20 per document (reduced to $10 per document if the document relates to an adoption).
$75 reinstatement fee PLUS $30 for the most current annual report PLUS $30 for each annual report not filed (R.S.
Learn moreEverything you need to run your Louisiana C-Corp
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
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Ready to form your Louisiana C-Corp?
Formation is free — you pay only the $75 Louisiana state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in 1-2 business days (online geauxBIZ).
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