How to Aquire a Business License in Louisiana
You would like to open a business in Louisiana. After choosing a name and the products or services that you will sell, you now need to have a business license in order to operate. Depending on the city and type of business, the agencies you must contact to get a license may differ. The Louisiana Secretary of State has set up a program designed to help new business owners easily contact the agencies required to legally operate a business.
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Instructions
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Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service by calling 1-800-829-4933 or applying online at IRS.gov. You also are required to apply for state taxes by contacting the Louisiana Department of Revenue. You will need these in order to legally operate your business and to pay taxes to the state and federal governments.
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Obtain a Certificate of Occupancy, if you do not already have one, by contacting the city in which you plan to open your business. Without a Certificate of Occupancy, you will not be able to open your business.
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Adhere to state and local ordinances regarding business licensing. Your licensing needs will vary depending on the city in which you live and the type of business that you plan to operate. Failure to comply with licensing regulations may mean large fines and, possibly, the closing of your business. Visit the Louisiana Secretary of State web site. Click "Commercial" on the left toolbar and select "GeauxBiz.com." Click "Business License Checklist."
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Complete the Business License Checklist with the type of business and its location, and fax it to 225-925-4591. You also can mail it to the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office at:
Secretary of State's Office - GeauxBiz
P.O. Box 94125
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804-9125
The Secretary of State will then contact you about the state and local agencies you need to contact in order to legally operate your business and obtain a license. Going through this process prevents you from making a mistake that could burden your business with large fines.
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Tips & Warnings
Contact the city in which you plan to open a business, as well as the Louisiana Secretary of State, to get information about setting up a business. Talking to both agencies will ensure that you are not missing any steps in the process of obtaining your business license.
References
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