Filing Your Annual Report in Louisiana

You’ve made it through the first year of running your own small business, and now it’s time to file your Louisiana annual report. The state requires you to file this every year to keep your Louisiana limited liability company (LLC) or corporation in good standing.

It’s good to know the ins and outs of what annual reports are, why the state needs one, and how you can take care of your yearly filing. And in this guide, we’ll provide you with the information you need to handle yours.

What is a Louisiana annual report?

For a Louisiana business entity, an annual report is a simple filing of basic contact information, location, and officer details.

Once filed with the Louisiana Secretary of State, an annual report confirms current information for your business. Louisiana may also use it to track data about businesses and industries throughout the Bayou State, as well as which companies remain active and which have lapsed.

Your annual report is not a tax document. However, the information in your annual report may also be used by the Louisiana Department of Revenue as part of its tracking and determinations for business taxes.

It’s also a chance for you to officially record any crucial changes to your business, such as a change in your company’s mailing address or principal location, or if you switched registered agents.

To file your annual report, start with signing in or creating your online account at Louisiana’s “Geaux Biz” online business hub.

Louisiana Annual Report for LLCs vs Corporations

Both LLCs and corporations need to file annual reports in Louisiana. Both kinds of entities need to submit the same information for their reports. Whether your company is a domestic (in-state) corporation or LLC, or a foreign (out-of-state) corporation or LLC, you’ll still log the same basic details with the state.

Where do I file my Louisiana annual report?

You must file your annual report on time each year. Businesses can file in many ways.

Online Filing

Filing online at geauxbiz.sos.la.gov is the fastest way to do this. You’ll need to be ready to pay online with a credit card as well. This is the state’s preferred method.

Filing by Mail

Follow these steps to file by mail:

• Sign in to your business’s account at geauxbiz.sos.la.gov
• Click into your business’s profile
• Look for the “Print Annual Report for Filing” button and click it to print your pre-filled report

To update any information (such as your registered office address, mailing address, or registered agent), cross out the old information and clearly write in the new information. Note: If changing your registered agent, the new registered agent must sign the annual report, and the report needs to be notarized before filing.

Mail the signed, updated, and completed annual report, along with your $30 filing fee to the Commercial Division of the Secretary of State.

Filing by Fax

Follow the mailing instructions above. Also prepare a cover letter or cover sheet that includes the following details:

• Business name
• Contact person
• Contact’s phone number
• Contact’s mailing address
• Any special instructions (such as a request for expedited handling)

Once you have your documents in order, fax them to the Secretary of State, Commercial Division.

Remember: Annual reports are publicly available and may be viewed by anyone searching your business.

When is the Louisiana annual report due?

Your annual report doesn’t have to take over your workday, but you don’t want to let it slide, either. Meeting this filing deadline is important to the ongoing operation and official state recognition of your business.

Your annual report’s due date is the same calendar date that the state officially approved your entity.

For example, if you formed your company on November 12, 2020, your annual report is due every subsequent year by November 12.

You can file your annual report anytime in the 30 days leading up to the deadline.

If your entity goes three consecutive years without filing an annual report, Louisiana will dissolve your business, stripping your company of the rights and legal protections it carried before.

How much does the Louisiana annual report cost?

The cost to file your annual report is $30 (or $10 for nonprofits). You can make your payment via credit card, or via a check or money order made out to “Louisiana Secretary of State.” A $5 “convenience fee” is added to credit card payments.

What information do I need to file my Louisiana annual report?

Your annual report needs to include the following current information:

• Business name
• Business type/entity
• City
• Charter number
• Domicile address
• Mailing address
• Name and address for each registered agent
• Name and address for each officer

If you’re completing a printed annual report for mailing or faxing, include the original signature, name, and title for the authorizing signing party.

What happens after I file my Louisiana annual report?

If you file your annual report online, you may receive an email confirmation of processing in as little as 15 minutes.

Faxed or mailed annual reports may be processed in up to two business days. The state doesn’t send confirmation that your report is complete. You can check your geauxbiz account to see when a copy of your annual report is available under “Amendments on File” with your company’s profile.

What if I miss the deadline to file my Louisiana annual report?

Remember, your corporation or LLC’s annual report is due every year by the calendar date your company was officially formed. Companies aren’t allowed to skip a year, even if there are no changes in your business information.

If you miss your filing deadline, Louisiana doesn’t assess a late fee or penalty, but it’s still recommended to get your filing in as soon as possible.

Until your filing is complete, the state will report your company as “not in good standing,” which can potentially make it harder to do business or get financing. Plus, three years of failing to file will also get your company’s business structure dissolved by the state.

While you’ll still be able to do business, you’ll lose your corporate or LLC-based liability protections. You can reinstate a Louisiana company by filing a reinstatement form with the Secretary of State and paying a fee.

Who do I contact if I have issues filing my Louisiana annual report?

If there’s a problem with filing your report, the Secretary of State office will email you so you can resolve any issues and try again. Any payments won’t be processed until your filing is successfully completed.

If you have issues filing your report, contact the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Commercial Division

You can also seek assistance in person at the Secretary of State offices.

How do I change my address or registered agent?

If your business changes registered agents or principal locations, you can complete and submit the appropriate change form for your LLC or corporation. Changes to these details can also be made as part of your annual report filing process.