Louisiana Sales Tax Rate, Rules & Filing (2026)
Louisiana's 5% state rate is modest, but parish taxes make its combined rate one of the highest in the country. SaaS is taxable, and nexus starts at $100,000.
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Key Takeaways
Louisiana's state sales tax rate is 5% from 2025 through 2029, and stacked local parish and city taxes give Louisiana some of the highest combined rates in the country, often 9% to 12% [1].
You have economic nexus once gross revenue from Louisiana sales exceeds $100,000 in the current or prior calendar year; the 200-transaction threshold was repealed effective 1 August 2023 [2][10]. Since 1 January 2025, SaaS, prewritten software access, and digital products are taxable, while food for home consumption is exempt from the state rate [3][4]. Remote sellers collect and remit through the state's Remote Sellers Commission [2].
What is taxable in Louisiana?
SaaS
Taxable
Clothing
Taxable
Groceries
Exempt
Digital Goods
Taxable
What are the sales tax rates in Louisiana?
Louisiana's state sales tax rate is 5%, set 1 January 2025 and scheduled to drop to 4.75% in 2030. Its 64 parishes and their municipalities add local taxes, producing some of the highest combined rates in the country — over 12% in places and averaging about 10%.
Louisiana rolled out a uniform combined state-and-parish sales tax return, first available 1 February 2026 for January 2026 periods, letting sellers report state and all local tax on a single return instead of filing parish by parish.
Component | Rate | Scope |
|---|---|---|
State | 5.00% | Statewide |
Local (parish/municipal) | up to ~7% | Varies by parish |
Combined | 5.00%–~12.95% | Varies by location |
New Orleans and Baton Rouge carry combined rates above 9.5%. To find the combined rate for a specific address, use our US sales tax calculator.
Scheduled change:
The state sales tax rate of 5% applies from 1 January 2025 through 31 December 2029 under Act 11 (2024), after which the scheduled rate is 4.75%.
What is the sales tax registration and nexus threshold in Louisiana?
Louisiana economic nexus applies once your gross revenue from retail sales into the state exceeds $100,000 in the current or immediately preceding calendar year. The 200-transaction threshold was repealed effective 1 August 2023, so the dollar amount is the only economic trigger. Physical presence creates nexus immediately. Remote sellers register and file through the Louisiana Sales and Use Tax Commission for Remote Sellers, a single point of collection for state and local tax.
What is the marketplace facilitator law in Louisiana?
Louisiana Revised Statutes 47:340.1 makes a marketplace facilitator the "dealer" for each remote sale it transacts or facilitates for delivery into Louisiana. It must collect and remit state and local sales and use tax, at the applicable parish rate for the delivery destination. This applies once its retail sales delivered into Louisiana exceed $100,000 during the previous or current calendar year. Only retail sales count toward that threshold, and voluntary registration before reaching it is permitted.
Within 30 days of meeting the threshold the facilitator must apply to the Louisiana Sales and Use Tax Commission for Remote Sellers. Collection must begin no later than 60 days after the threshold was met. A remote marketplace seller calculates its own separate threshold using direct sales only, since marketplace sales count toward the facilitator's threshold instead.
Beginning 1 January 2026, an accommodations intermediary that already remits sales and use tax to the Commission as a marketplace facilitator must also remit hotel and motel occupancy taxes on rooms, cottages, or cabins it facilitates, under 2025 Louisiana Acts No. 82 (effective 1 July 2025).[9]
What are the sales tax filing frequencies and deadlines in Louisiana?
Louisiana returns are due the 20th of the month following the reporting period. Beginning with January 2026 periods (returns first available 1 February 2026), state and parish tax is reported on a single combined return rather than separate parish filings — a major simplification for multi-parish sellers. For the portal, return, and step-by-step, see our guide to filing Louisiana sales tax online.
What is exempt from sales tax in Louisiana?
Louisiana exempts food for home consumption and prescription drugs from the state rate, though local taxes may still apply. As of 1 January 2025, SaaS, custom software, information services, and digital products are taxable at the 5% state rate plus applicable local taxes.
How do resale and exemption certificates work in Louisiana?
Louisiana issues the Resale Certificate (Form R-1064) to qualifying dealers, managed through LaTAP [5]. It auto-renews about 60 days before expiration when sales activity and payments are current; otherwise the business renews within 45 days of the printed expiration date [5].
For the official form, multistate certificate rules and expiry, see the Louisiana resale certificate guide.
What are the sales tax penalties in Louisiana?
Late filing or payment carries a penalty of 5% of the tax due for each 30-day period, up to a 25% maximum, plus interest from the due date. Our Louisiana filing guide lists late filing penalties, interest, and what to do if you missed a return.
How do sales tax audits and appeals work in Louisiana?
A taxpayer who disagrees with an assessment may petition the Louisiana Board of Tax Appeals [6]. File within the period stated on the Notice of Assessment, generally 60 days, and the state must answer within 30 days of service [6].
Sources
[2] Louisiana Sales and Use Tax Commission for Remote Sellers — FAQ (economic nexus)
[3] Louisiana DOR — Prewritten Computer Software Access Services (SaaS taxable)
[7] Louisiana DOR — Second Amendment Weekend Sales Tax Holiday
[9] Louisiana Revised Statutes § 47:340.1 — Marketplace Facilitators
[10] Louisiana Act 15 (HB 171), 2023 Regular Session (200-transaction test repealed)
Verified July 2026 against Louisiana Department of Revenue published guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
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