Bookkeeping Permit Requirements in Shreveport, LA

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS, obtained instantly online. Sole proprietors without employees may use their SSN, but an EIN is recommended for privacy and professional credibility.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

2. IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN)

   Required for any paid preparer who prepares or assists in preparing federal tax returns for clients. If your bookkeeping practice includes any federal tax return preparation, you must obtain and renew your PTIN annually. Bookkeeping-only services (no tax return preparation) do not require a PTIN.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online at IRS.gov)

   Free

   Immediate (online at IRS.gov)

1. Louisiana Secretary of State Business Registration

   A bookkeeping or accounting service organized as an LLC, corporation or partnership must file its formation documents with the Louisiana Secretary of State's Commercial Division, most easily through the geauxBIZ portal. A sole proprietor who operates under any name other than the owner's own legal name registers a trade name with the Secretary of State — Louisiana has no parish-clerk DBA filing. Note that public accountancy itself is separately regulated: bookkeeping is unrestricted, but holding out as a CPA or issuing audit or review reports requires a license from the Louisiana State Board of CPAs.

   Official government source

   $100 for LLC Articles of Organization, $75 for corporation Articles of Incorporation, $100 for a partnership registration, and $75 for a Trade Name/Trademark/Service Mark registration (rising to $95 on October 1, 2026 under Act 921 of 2026). A name reservation is $25. Credit card filings add a $5 statutory convenience fee; optional expedite is $30, or $50 for priority while-you-wait service.·The Secretary of State publishes no processing time for standard filings. Expedited processing (documents handled within 24 hours) is available for $30, or $50 for priority service. Check name availability before filing (225-925-4704).

   $100 for LLC Articles of Organization, $75 for corporation Articles of Incorporation, $100 for a partnership registration, and $75 for a Trade Name/Trademark/Service Mark registration (rising to $95 on October 1, 2026 under Act 921 of 2026). A name reservation is $25. Credit card filings add a $5 statutory convenience fee; optional expedite is $30, or $50 for priority while-you-wait service.

   The Secretary of State publishes no processing time for standard filings. Expedited processing (documents handled within 24 hours) is available for $30, or $50 for priority service. Check name availability before filing (225-925-4704).

2. Louisiana Sales/Use Tax Registration (if applicable)

   Bookkeeping and accounting services are not among Louisiana's enumerated taxable services, so a sales tax account is generally not required for the service itself. You must register as a dealer with the Louisiana Department of Revenue if you sell, lease or rent tangible personal property or digital products in the state (R.S. 47:301(4)) — for example retail software or printed products.

   Official government source

   The Louisiana Department of Revenue publishes no fee for opening a sales tax account; register through LaTAP or geauxBIZ and confirm at registration.·Not published by LDR; register before your first taxable sale and confirm account activation timing through LaTAP.

   The Louisiana Department of Revenue publishes no fee for opening a sales tax account; register through LaTAP or geauxBIZ and confirm at registration.

   Not published by LDR; register before your first taxable sale and confirm account activation timing through LaTAP.

1. City of Shreveport Occupational License Tax (business license)

   Every business operating in Shreveport must hold an occupational license, administered by the Finance Department's Revenue Division (318-673-5500). A Certificate of Occupancy from the Shreveport-Caddo Metropolitan Planning Commission must be obtained before you apply for the occupational license. For a bookkeeping or accounting service there is no additional local certification, but the classification matters: professional classifications are taxed at one-tenth of one percent of gross receipts and are excluded from the flat initial fee, so confirm with the Revenue Division which classification applies to you. The city issues a temporary license covering the first 30 days of operation, after which you update your figures and the permanent license is issued. Renewed annually.

   Official government source

   Initial fee of $50 if the business opens in the first six months of the year, or $25 starting July 1 — except professional classifications. The annual tax is then computed on gross receipts by classification: professionals at one-tenth of one percent of gross, retailers on a $50-$6,200 scale, wholesalers on a $50-$7,500 scale. Add the Certificate of Occupancy, $125 for a commercial location or $75 home-based (no fee outside city limits).·No processing time is published. A temporary license is issued for the first 30 days of operation and is then updated to a permanent license. Annual tax notices are mailed in December or January and payment is due before March 1.

   Initial fee of $50 if the business opens in the first six months of the year, or $25 starting July 1 — except professional classifications. The annual tax is then computed on gross receipts by classification: professionals at one-tenth of one percent of gross, retailers on a $50-$6,200 scale, wholesalers on a $50-$7,500 scale. Add the Certificate of Occupancy, $125 for a commercial location or $75 home-based (no fee outside city limits).

   No processing time is published. A temporary license is issued for the first 30 days of operation and is then updated to a permanent license. Annual tax notices are mailed in December or January and payment is due before March 1.

2. Certificate of Occupancy (home-based business)

   Bookkeeping businesses operated from a residence in Shreveport must obtain a Certificate of Occupancy for a home-based business from the Shreveport-Caddo Metropolitan Planning Commission's Zoning Permits Center (505 Travis St., Ste. 130; 318-673-6480) before applying for an occupational license. Standard restrictions apply: no client foot traffic, no exterior signage, and limited storage of business materials.

   Official government source

   $75 flat fee for a home-based business (a commercial location is $125; there is no fee outside city limits).·Not published by the city. The Certificate of Occupancy must be in hand before the occupational license application; Shreveport then issues a temporary license covering the first 30 days of business, after which you complete an update for the permanent license.

   $75 flat fee for a home-based business (a commercial location is $125; there is no fee outside city limits).

   Not published by the city. The Certificate of Occupancy must be in hand before the occupational license application; Shreveport then issues a temporary license covering the first 30 days of business, after which you complete an update for the permanent license.

Official Sources

• Shreveport Business Licensing
• IRS PTIN Requirements for Tax Return Preparers
• IRS EIN Application

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