Summary
The fact that you may need to register with state agencies like Louisiana geauxBIZ is a sneaky misconception that many folks miss.
However, with the rise of remote work, states have begun cracking down and levying penalties for those who (unknowingly) fail to register.
If you're considering operating in Louisiana, use this guide to:
- Explore the that triggers the need to register with the Louisiana geauxBIZ, including criteria such as physical presence, economic activity, and advertising efforts.
- Determine where and how to register with the Louisiana geauxBIZ.
- Understand additional requirements such as Registered Agents, registration with other state departments, and ongoing annual reports.
What criteria would trigger the requirement to register with the Louisiana geauxBIZ?
Factors indicating "doing business" in Louisiana:
- Physical Presence: Maintaining an office, store, warehouse, or any other physical location within Louisiana.
- Employees: Hiring employees based in Louisiana.
- Business Activity: Regularly engaging in sales, providing services, or conducting other income-generating activities within the state.
- Income from Louisiana: Generating a substantial portion of revenue from customers or clients located in Louisiana.
Activities that might NOT be considered "doing business" in Louisiana:
- Isolated Transactions: Conducting an occasional sale or project without continuous business operations.
- Litigation: Defending or bringing legal action in Louisiana courts.
- Owning Property: Simply holding property or investments in Louisiana.
- Specific Exemptions: Louisiana has certain laws that exempt specific activities from being considered "doing business," like soliciting orders for interstate sales or holding shareholder meetings.
Where do I register, and what else is required?
- A Certificate of Good Standing is required (dated within the past 90 days)
In addition:
A Registered Agent is required to serve as the company's physical in-state presence to receive important legal documents. Do not fall victim to the common misconception that you can leverage an in-state employee as your Registered Agent. It's far too risky.
You'll want to review the other registrations required in Louisiana. Here's a Louisiana specific guide we put together.
What is the registration fee?
The fee charged by Louisiana is $130.
How long does Louisiana usually take to process?
Louisiana usually takes approximately Less than 1 week to process registrations.
What is required ongoing?
Each state has a complex schedule of required annual reports, which can vary by entity type. Let's take a look at Louisiana's:
C-Corporation
- Filing Date: May 15
- Filing Frequency: Annual
LLC
- Filing Date: February 15
- Filing Frequency: Annual
Non-Profit
- Filing Date: Oct 1
- Filing Frequency: Annual
There is an Easier Way
Automate registration and annual report tracking in AbstractOps.This guide should definitely help reduce some of the confusion for Louisiana. However, if you have multiple states to worry about, you may look to:
Automate state registrations and annual reports
Centralize email, snail mail, state ID’s, and registered agents, and
Take control of action items, eliminating risks before they become penalties.
Start the AbstractOps product demo to see how easy this can be.
Note: For the avoidance of doubt, nothing provided here shall contemplate, constitute or include tax or legal advice. Always double check with state agency websites for the most up-to-date requirements.
