What must a person or entity do to legally create a Sole Proprietorship in Louisiana?

To legally create a Sole Proprietorship in Louisiana, no formal filing is required. This type of business structure is the simplest and most straightforward way to operate a business because it does not necessitate specific state registration or filing requirements. The sole proprietor is automatically recognized as the business entity, and as such, the owner can start conducting business right away without needing to file articles of incorporation or an official business registration.

While there may be additional steps the individual may choose to take, such as obtaining licenses or permits specific to their business activities or filing for a fictitious name if they operate under a name different from their personal name, these actions are not mandatory for the formation of the sole proprietorship itself.

Other options, such as filing an annual report or registering with the state, pertain to different types of business structures, like corporations or limited liability companies, which have more formal requirements. Obtaining a federal employer ID number is also not necessary for sole proprietorships that have no employees; thus, this step is not a prerequisite for the business's existence.