Louisiana Business License

Business Registration Application Form

$50 for businesses that open between January 1-June 30 or $25 for businesses that open July 1-December 31.

Occupational license renewal applications will be mailed to you during the month of December.

Fee is based upon business activity within the city of Baton Rouge or within the Parish of East Baton Rouge during the previous year.

Annually by January 1.

Application for Tax Registration

Varies by gross annual receipts.

Application for Renewal of Occupational License

Varies by gross annual receipts.

Licenses expire annually on December 31 and must be renewed by March 1.

New Business Occupational License Application Form

Mail

Fees vary based on the nature of the business and annual gross receipts

• Articles of Incorporation, Organization, or Partnership (if applicable) with proof of registration from the Louisiana Secretary of State
• Copy of valid driver's license of highest-ranking officer and/or owner
• Zoning Compliance form, if applicable
• Proof of registration with the Calcasieu Parish School Board Sales and Use Tax Department
• Proof of registration with the State of Louisiana Department of Revenue Sales Tax Division
• LA Department of Health approval letter/certification, if applicable
• Certification of Resident or Non-resident Contractor from the State of Louisiana, if applicable

Occupational License Renewal Form

Mail

Fees vary based on the nature of the business and the annual gross receipts

Annually by December 31

If not renewed before March 1, for every 30 days the occupational tax is outstanding a 5% tax penalty will apply. This is not to exceed 25% of the tax in the aggregate.

• Copy of valid driver's license of highest-ranking officer and/or owner
• Certification of Resident or Non-resident Contractor from the State of Louisiana, if applicable

Occupational License Packet

Mail

Fees vary based on the nature of the business.

Businesses with a physical location in the City of Ponchatoula must:

• Contact the Zoning department to verify the business is properly zoned
• Contact the State Fire Marshall's Office for business plan approval (have interior and exterior pictures available)
• Contact the Tangipahoa Parish Health Unit for a health permit
  • A copy must be returned to Ponchatoula City Hall before any permits will be issued
• Contact the Ponchatoula Building Official
  • Verify if a Certificate of Occupancy is required
  • An RPZ type backflow preventer must be installed and tested on all water services with proof of test before an occupational license will be granted
  • Obtain sign permit, if necessary
• Contact City Hall
  • Water/Sewer/Garbage deposit is required
  • Electrical Permit fee of $5 prior to having electricity turned on

All businesses regardless of location must: 

• Contact the Tangipahoa Parish School System, Sales Tax Division to register and file for local sales tax
• Contact the Lousiana Department of Revenue and register for state sales tax

• Certificate of Occupancy, if applicable
• State License, if applicable
• Police Department Emergency Contact forms

Mail

Fees vary based on the nature of the business. 

Annually by January 1

• If the occupational tax is not paid within 30 days of the due date, a penalty of 5% of the total tax due will be incurred for each month the tax remains unpaid, not to exceed 25% of the tax in the aggregate
• If the occupational tax remains unpaid after March 1, interest in the amount of 1.25% of the total tax due will accrue for each month the tax remains unpaid

• No Tax Due Certificate from the Tangipahoa Parish School Board
• State License, if applicable

Occupational License Application

Fees vary by gross receipts and type of business. The minimum fee is $50.

Fees vary by gross receipts and type of business. The minimum fee is $50.

Annually

Occupational License Application

Fees depend on gross receipts and occupation.

Occupational License Application (Renewal)

Fees depend on gross receipts and occupation.

Annually

Occupational License Tax Application

Varies by business services and gross receipts. See Tax Table for details.

Online

Varies by business services and gross receipts. See Tax Table for details.

Annually by January 1.

1. Blind persons and their widows and orphans R.S. 47:360(A)
2. Louisiana artists and craftsmen who display at functions sponsored by nonprofit organizations R.S. 47:360(B)
3. Nonprofit organizations – exempt from occupational license only; not sales & use tax R.S. 47:360(C)
4. Wholesale dealers in certain alcoholic beverages R.S. 47:360(D)
5. Other exempted businesses – Banks, building and loan associations, editors, broadcasters, publishers, ministers, school teachers, nurses,
farmers, sawmill operators and farmer-owned farm loan companies R.S. 47:360 (E)
6. Manufacturers, however retail sales by manufacturers shall be subject to payment of a license tax R.S. 47:360(F)
7. Disabled persons that are home-bound, confined to a bed or wheelchair and require aid of another person R.S. 47:360(G)

Occupational License – New Business Application

Mail 

Fee determined by business type. See application for fee schedule with minimal license fee. 

5% for each 30 days or fraction thereof computed from open date (25% max)

Occupational License Renewal – All Other Businesses & Professionals

Mail 

Fee determine dby gross reciepts, business type and interest by jurisdiction. 

Annually by January 1. 

Licenses become deliquent on March 1. 

New Business Application

Initial fee is $50 for the first 6 months of the year and $25 starting July 1st - except for professional classifications.

A tax notice is mailed annually in December/January.

The fee is the tax amount due which varies according to total gross receipts, fees or commissions from business done in Shreveport during the past year.

Annually by March 1.

Occupational License Application

$50, becomes $25 on July 1st of application year.

• An approval letter from the St. Tammany Parish Planning & Zoning Department (985-898-2529) for the business address.
• Copy of business owner’s Driver’s License 
• If incorporated, a copy of the Articles of Incorporation from the LA Secretary of State 

Online

$50

Annually by December 31.