Name, Registration, Tax ID

Another important step in getting your business ready for opening day involves securing your business
name, registering your business with the appropriate authorities, and getting your tax identification numbers from the federal, state, and/or local government. It is important to take care of these issues early in the process, as you may need this information to secure permits, licenses, and potentially financing.

Naming Your Business

Naming your business requires more than creativity and good spelling skills.

After determining the name you'd like to use for your business, you should do a preliminary check of the name's availability through the Secretary of State's Corporations Database.

You can check whether a name is currently being used in a matter of minutes. Preliminary checks may be made online or by calling 225.925.4704.

Corporations and LLCs need to secure their names through the Secretary of State's Office. This can be done at the time of incorporation or you may reserve a name for 60 days if you're not ready to incorporate. Reserving a name costs $25.00 and requires the use of the form here.

Do not rely on a preliminary check of a name's availability. Formally reserve the name and wait for confirmation from the Secretary of State's Office before obtaining stationery, business cards, phone listings, bank accounts, etc.

Trade Names can be registered through your parish Clerk of Court.

Registering Your Business

Where you register your business depends on your business structure. Corporations, LLCs, and LLPs need to register at the Secretary of State’s Office. Forms for registering your business can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

Corporations will need to file Articles of Incorporation at the time of registration. Samples can be found at the Secretary of State’s website, but professional assistance from an attorney is recommended for this process.

Companies that are not incorporated, such as sole proprietorships, register at the Clerk of Court’s office in the parish where the entity is doing business.

Any business that engages in any type of sales must also register with the Louisiana Department of Revenue. You may contact them at www.rev.state.la.us, visit their office at 617 North 3rd Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, or call 225.219.7318.

Getting Your Tax ID

Federal Taxes

You need to contact the Internal Revenue Service for assistance with:

  • Federal I.D. Number
  • Federal Income Tax Withholding
  • Federal Unemployment Insurance Tax

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number and is used to identify a business entity. Generally, businesses need an EIN. You may apply for an EIN in various ways and now you may apply online. This is a free service offered by the Internal Revenue Service. You may also download the form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, and fax or mail it in. For questions about this process or to apply over the phone, you may call 800.829.4933 from 7:00am - 10:00pm local time, Monday through Friday. The local IRS Office is located at:

Internal Revenue Service
2600 City Place Court
Suite 375
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
225.343.8625

State Taxes

All new businesses must contact the Louisiana Department of Revenue for the following:

  • Sales Tax Registration
  • State I.D. Number
  • State Income Tax Withholding

Forms and instructions for securing a State Tax ID Number can be found in the Forms section of this website.

Louisiana Department of Revenue and Taxation
617 North 3rd Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70801
225.219.7356 Sales Tax
225.219.0102 Income Tax
www.rev.state.la.us

You will need to bring:

  • Picture Identification
  • Corporate Charter (if Corporation)
  • Partnership Agreement (if Partnership)

Local Taxes

To apply for a local sales tax identification number, you need to contact your Parish Sales Tax Division.

In East Baton Rouge Parish, the local sales tax business registration form is available here.

You may also contact the office at:

City-Parish Finance Department
Revenue Division
222 St. Louis Street
Governmental Building, Room 404
Baton Rouge, LA 70801
225.389.3084

You will need:

  • Cash or Certified Funds Only
  • Picture Identification
  • Corporate Charter (if corporation)
  • Partnership Agreement (if partnership)

Next » Financing your business