Q: How can I get a business license in Louisiana?
Thank you to a customer doing business in Louisiana for this question! If you’re conducting sales in the Pelican State, chances are you’ll need some form of license (if not several). To understand all the ways you may need to license and/or register your business in the state, check out our Louisiana business license guide below:
1. Louisiana Sales Tax Certificate
A Sales Tax Certificate is probably the closest thing Louisiana has to a general, state-wide business license. This is because any person or business that transacts sales in the state must pay the state’s 4.45% sales tax. Technically, this “includes every person who manufactures or produces tangible personal property for sale at retail, for use, or consumption, or distribution, or for storage…” (see: R.S. 47:301(4)).
But simply put: if you conduct sales in the state of Louisiana, you’ll need to apply for a Sales Tax Certificate.
How do I get a Louisiana Sales Tax Certificate?
Sales tax certificates are issued by the Louisiana Department of Revenue when you register for an account. To register, you’ll have to fill out an Application for Louisiana Revenue Account Number. You may do this online, or you can submit a paper form by mail.
Online: Louisiana Taxpayer Access Point (LaTAP)
By Mail:
P.O. Box 201
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0201
2. Louisiana Resale Certificate
A resale certificate is required if you plan to claim a tax exemption when buying or selling goods for resale. This is usually the case for wholesale purchases, in which the buyer purchases goods from a supplier then sells those goods (or some configuration of those goods) to customers.
Without a resale certificate, those goods would be taxed twice: once when purchased by the buyer, and again when purchased by the customer. Getting a tax exemption through a resale certificate simply eliminates double taxation.
How do I get a Louisiana Resale Certificate?
If the NAICS code you included in your registration with the Department of Revenue indicates that your business sells tangible personal property, you’ll automatically be issued a resale certificate. If it doesn’t, you can apply for a resale certificate through LaTAP (see link above).
3. Local Louisiana Business Licenses and/or Permits
Many city and/or parish governments require permits for operating within their jurisdiction. For example, if you operate a business in New Orleans, you’ll need to obtain a general business license from Orleans Parish—among other possible licenses and/or permits depending on your type of business.
How do I find out what types of local licenses and/or permits I’ll need?
The Louisiana Secretary of State can create a Business License Checklist for you, which will bring up a list of possible licenses and registrations your business may need on the local, state and federal level. You’ll have to access this service through the state’s online portal, geauxBIZ. Once there, select: “Produce a list of possible federal, state and local licenses and permits required for your business.”
4. Professional Licenses
If your business offers what’s known as a “professional service,” you’ll need to be licensed by the state licensing board for your profession. Professional services include:
- Law
- Dentistry
- Accounting
- Nursing
- Architecture
- Optometry
- Psychology