Louisiana LLC Annual Report: Requirements, Due Dates & Filing

1. Does Louisiana Require an LLC Annual Report?

Yes—Louisiana LLCs generally must file an annual report with the Louisiana Secretary of State to remain in good standing. In practice, annual reports are filed through geauxBIZ, and the state often ties the report to your renewal/anniversary date.

2. What Louisiana LLCs Must File Each Year

Louisiana yearly compliance typically comes down to a simple checklist. The exact requirements depend on your LLC’s activity (employees, sales tax, local permits, etc.), but most LLCs should plan for these recurring items:

Annual compliance checklist

1. Louisiana Annual Report (Secretary of State): annual SOS filing to keep your entity in good standing
2. Registered Agent renewal (if using a service): keep a valid agent and address to receive official/legal notices
3. Federal tax return (IRS): depends on SMLLC vs partnership vs S-corp election
4. Bookkeeping + records: maintain clean records to avoid issues with banks, payments, and audits
5. Other recurring obligations (if applicable): payroll filings, sales tax, and local permits depending on your activity

3. Louisiana Annual Report Basics (What It Covers)

Louisiana’s annual report is your recurring state filing to keep your business record updated with the Secretary of State. It commonly involves confirming or updating core company details (addresses, registered agent, members/managers as applicable), and paying the annual report fee.

What the Louisiana annual report typically does

1. Confirms your entity is active and compliant with the Secretary of State
2. Updates key business record details (address, registered agent, member/manager info where applicable)
3. Supports ongoing good standing for banking, contracts, and vendor onboarding
4. Creates a clear annual compliance history (helpful for verifications)
5. Helps prevent administrative issues that occur when records go stale

If you only remember one thing: Louisiana LLCs generally must file an annual report with the Secretary of State, usually around the anniversary/renewal date, commonly through geauxBIZ.

4. Louisiana LLC Due Dates (Anniversary / Renewal)

Louisiana annual report timing is commonly tied to your entity’s anniversary (renewal) date. Louisiana SOS instructions indicate online annual reports can only be filed within a window around the renewal date shown on your renewal notice, and you typically use your Charter Number and Renewal ID to start the filing.

5. Where to File + What You’ll Need

Louisiana annual reports are filed with the Louisiana Secretary of State, and the filing flow typically goes through geauxBIZ. Before you file, prepare your basic business details so you can submit without errors.

What you should keep ready

1. Legal LLC name and Charter Number
2. Renewal ID from your Louisiana SOS Renewal Notice (for online filing)
3. Principal address and registered agent details
4. Member/manager information (as applicable)
5. Payment method for annual report fee + receipt storage

Why founders use a compliance service

1. Avoid missed deadlines and good-standing interruptions
2. Reduce rejections due to incorrect information
3. Keep clean records for banking and payment processors

6. How to File Louisiana Annual Report (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Confirm your renewal window and gather your Renewal Notice details

Louisiana SOS instructions indicate that annual reports can only be filed within a window around the renewal date shown on your renewal notice. Keep your Charter Number and Renewal ID ready to start the online filing.

Step 2: Start the filing on the Louisiana SOS / geauxBIZ flow

Louisiana SOS directs annual report filings through geauxBIZ. You’ll typically enter your Charter Number and Renewal ID, then proceed through the screens to review and update information.

Step 3: Review and update key entity details (if needed)

Review the information currently on file. If changes are needed, edit the relevant sections (address, registered agent, members/managers where applicable). Registered agent additions may require acceptance before completion.

Step 4: Pay the filing fee and save proof

Pay the annual report fee and save proof (receipt/confirmation). This helps for audits, banking, and future compliance verification.

Step 5: Store your annual report confirmation

Keep a copy of the filed annual report and receipt in a “Compliance Folder.” It reduces friction during bank re-verification or payment processor reviews.

7. Tips to Stay Compliant

• Set reminders for your annual report based on your Louisiana anniversary/renewal date
• Keep your registered agent active and respond quickly to any acceptance requests
• Maintain accurate business record info (address, members/managers as applicable)
• Store annual report confirmations and receipts in a single compliance folder

8. Fees, Penalties & Good Standing

• Louisiana Annual Report: Commonly $30 (see SOS fee schedule)
• Registered Agent (if using a service): Typically $50/year
• Late filings: Can trigger penalties and create good-standing issues
• Good standing impact: Compliance affects banking, payment platforms, and vendor onboarding

9. Federal Compliance That Impacts Louisiana LLCs

1. Federal tax return (IRS)

Your Louisiana LLC’s federal tax filing depends on classification: single-member LLCs often report on the owner’s return, partnerships file an informational return, and S-corp elections follow S-corp filing rules. These federal schedules often influence your overall compliance calendar.

2. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

Many LLCs use an EIN to open bank accounts, hire employees, and work with payment processors. While not part of the Louisiana annual report, keeping EIN letters and IRS confirmations helps with compliance documentation.

3. BOI updates (Corporate Transparency)

If your ownership or key information changes, you may need to update federal beneficial ownership information (where applicable). This is separate from Louisiana annual reports but often comes up during annual reviews.

4. Other recurring federal obligations

• Payroll tax filings if the LLC has employees
• Information returns (such as 1099 forms) when required
• Keeping clean bookkeeping for audits, banking, and compliance reviews

10. Conclusion

The biggest takeaway: Louisiana LLCs generally must file an annual report with the Secretary of State, commonly around the anniversary/renewal date, typically through geauxBIZ.

With FormLLC, you can stay compliant without confusion—our team helps you follow the right schedule, file the right documents, and keep your business in good standing.