Why incorporate in Louisiana

Business Information & Rankings

Louisiana received special recognition for the SB&D listing of Top 100 Deals & Hot Markets in 2003 (Southern Business & Development, Spring 2004)
New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lake Charles, LA were listed in the Top 25 Cities in America for Doing Business. (Inc. magazine, March 2004)
Louisiana is a major source of U.S. petroleum and refined petroleum products, natural gas, petrochemicals, forest-products, agricultural crops, salt, sulphur and seafood.

Cost of living

For New Orleans, LA (2005):	Index Score
Composite:	96.1
Housing:	94.0
Utilities:	81.3
Misc. Goods & Services:	98.0

Crime Rate

Louisiana has the 47^th lowest crime ranking in the U.S. (F.B.I., 2004)

Fees & Taxes

Business Inventory Tax

Business inventory is taxable, unless it is being held in the state for storage purposes only.

Corporate Franchise Tax

Rate: $1.50 for each $1,000 or major fraction thereof up to $300,000 of capital employed in Louisiana, and $3 for each $1,000 or major fraction thereof in excess of $300,000 of capital employed in Louisiana, with a the minimum tax of $10 per year.

Corporate Income Tax

Corporations will pay tax on net income computed at the following rates:

First	$25.000	4.0 %
Next	$25.000	5.0 %
Next	$50.000	6.0 %
Next	$100.000	7.0 %
Over	$200.000	8.0 %

Personal Income Tax

Louisiana's personal income tax system consists of three separate brackets with a top rate of 6% starting at an income level of $50,000. That top rate ranks 4^th lowest among states levying an individual income tax.

Personal Property Tax

Taxable. There are no intangible personal property taxes in Louisiana. Louisiana is one of the 38 states that collect property taxes at both the state and local levels.

State Sales and Use Tax

Base Rate: 4%
Machinery Rate: none

There is a 5 year exemption (renewable once for 5 more years) may be granted to manufacturing establishments located in the state for state sales and use taxes imposed on machinery and equipment to be used by the applicant.

Unemployment Insurance

Louisiana charges new employers the average industry rate for 2 years.

Why incorporate in Louisiana?