Guidelines for Opening a Business

(1) Obtain a Certificate of Occupancy:
The Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) governs zoning and occupancy. All businesses that are located within the corporate limits of the City of Shreveport, or the Parish of Caddo, must obtain a Certificate of Occupancy prior to applying for an occupational/business license. This includes "home-based" businesses. Fee is $75 for home based and $125 for commercial location. For businesses outside the city limits of Shreveport, there is no fee. The contact this office:
Physical:
City of Shreveport
Zoning (Permits Center)
505 Travis St., Ste. 130
Shreveport, LA 71101
Mail:
City of Shreveport
Zoning (Permit Center)
PO Box 31109
Shreveport, LA 71130
Phone:
(318) 673-6480
(318) 673-6442
(318) 673-6440
Fax:
(318) 673-6454
(2) Occupational/Business License:
An Occupational/Business license tax is due and payable upon commencement of business. The City of Shreveport will issue a temporary license to conduct business for the first 30 days of business, afterward, you will complete an update for your permanent license. Initial fee if $50 for the first 6 months of the year and $25 starting July 1st - except for professional classifications. To contact this office:
Inside City Limits
Physical:
City of Shreveport
Revenue Division
505 Travis St., Ste. 120
Shreveport, LA 71101
Mail:
City of Shreveport
Revenue Division
PO Box 30168
Shreveport, LA 71130
Phone: (318) 673-5501
Fax: (318) 673-5504
Websites:
General Information: General Occupation Lic. info
Requirements / Applications: Application Occupational License Tax
Outside City Limits
Physical:
Parish of Caddo
Occupational License
505 Travis St., Ste 850
Shreveport, LA 71101
Mail:
Parish of Caddo
Occupational License
PO Box 1127
Shreveport, LA 71163
Phone: (318) 677-5372
Website:
(3) City and State Sales Tax authorities:
Retail businesses must register for a sales tax account with the following entities
(a) Caddo/Shreveport Sales & Use Commission
Physical:
3300 Dee Street
Shreveport, LA 71105
Mail:
PO Box 104
Shreveport, LA 71161
Phone: (318) 865-3312

Fax: (318) 865-1838
Website:
(b) State of Louisiana - Department of Revenue - Sales Tax Division
No local office in Shreveport area, taxpayers should contact 855-307-3893 or reach LDR using the "Contact Us" method on their website. The preferred method to create an account with the Louisianan Department of Revenue on the Louisiana Department of Revenue website.
Physical:
Baton Rouge Headquarters
617 North Third Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Mail:
Baton Rouge Headquarters
P.O. Box 201
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
Phone: 855-307-3893
(4) Obtain a Federal Tax ID (FEIN)
Physical:
South Pointe Center
3007 Knight St., Ste. 110
Shreveport, LA 71105
Phone:
(318) 869-6310
800-829-4933
(5) Contact the Assessors' Office - Caddo Parish, Louisiana
The Caddo Parish Assessor is responsible for discovery, listing, and valuing all property in Caddo Parish for ad valorem tax purposes. This property includes all Real Estate, all Business Movable Property (Personal Property), and all Oil and Gas Property and Equipment.
Physical:
501 Texas Street
Room 102
Shreveport, LA 71101
Phone:
(318) 226-6712
(318) 226-6713
Website: Caddo Assessor