- 1). Choose a name for your business.
- 2). Print, fill out and mail your application to register your trade name with the Parish Clerk of Court office where your business is located. This registration is required for all sole proprietorships and partnerships and also any limited liability companies and corporations that will be operating under a name other than the name officially filed with the state. There will be a $50 filing fee (as of 2010).
- 3). Print, fill out and mail your application to register your business with the state. Sole proprietorships and partnerships are exempt from this step. Limited liability companies must file the form titled "Articles of Organization," and corporations must file the form titled "Articles of Incorporation." As of 2010, the fee for filing a limited liability company is $75 and the fee for filing a corporation is $60.
- 4). Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. This number is free and can be instantly obtained by going to the official IRS website and filling out a short application.
- 5). Obtain any special licenses or permits that may be required for your type of business. For example, businesses that serve alcohol or sell firearms will require special licenses to operate. In addition, if your business sells items, you may need a seller's permit. The requirements for each business are different, so you'll want to research your specific situation to determine your requirements. All of this information can be found on the Louisiana Secretary of State's website.
Source...