LAC 61:I.301 — Imposition of Tax

A. General. Except as specifically exempted by R.S. 47:608, R.S. 47:601 imposes a corporation franchise tax, in addition to all other taxes levied by any other statute, on all domestic corporations, for the right granted by the laws of this state to exist as such an organization and on both domestic and foreign corporations for the enjoyment under the protection of the laws of this state of the powers, rights, privileges, and immunities derived by reason of the corporate form of existence and operation. Liability for the tax is created whenever any such organization qualifies to do business in this state, owns or uses any part of its capital, plant, or any other property in this state, whether owned directly or indirectly by or through a partnership, joint venture, or any other business organization of which the domestic or foreign corporation is a related party as defined in R.S. 47:605.1, through the buying, selling, or procuring of services in this state, or actually does business in this state through exercising or enjoying each and every act, power, right, privilege, or immunity as an incident to or by virtue of the powers and privileges acquired by the nature of such organizations.
1. The term domestic corporation shall include any of the following:
a. corporations, joint stock companies or associations, or other business organizations organized under the laws of the State of Louisiana which have privileges, powers, rights, or immunities not possessed by individuals or partnerships;
b. all entities taxed as corporations pursuant to 26 U.S.C. Subtitle A, Chapter 1, Subchapter C, for federal income tax purposes, notwithstanding any provisions of law to the contrary. Such entities will be treated and taxed in the same manner that such entities are treated and taxed for federal income tax purposes.
2. Exclusions
a. Nothing in this subsection shall extend franchise tax liability to any limited liability company qualified and eligible to be taxed in accordance with the provisions of 26 U.S.C. Subtitle A, Chapter 1, Subchapter S on the first day of its fiscal or annual year or to any other entity that was acquired before January 1, 2014, but not earlier than January 1, 2012, by an entity that was taxed pursuant to 26 U.S.C. Subtitle A, Chapter 1, Subchapter S.
b. Examples
i. Other than through its ownership in Partnership B, Corporation A is not subject to Louisiana corporation franchise tax. Corporation A owns an interest in Partnership B, which is doing business in Louisiana. Corporation A would be subject to Louisiana corporation franchise tax.
ii. Other than through its ownership in Limited Liability Company B, Corporation A is not subject to Louisiana corporation franchise tax. Corporation A owns an interest in Limited Liability Company B, which is taxed as a partnership and is doing business in Louisiana or owns property located in Louisiana. Corporation A would be subject to Louisiana corporation franchise tax.
iii. Subsidiary is a domestic corporation doing business in Louisiana and is a 100 percent owned subsidiary of Parent. Parent is a domestic limited liability company doing business in Louisiana and elects to be taxed as an S corporation pursuant to I.R.C. § 1362 for federal income tax purposes. Subsidiary is a QSub, as provided for in I.R.C. §1361(b)(3). For Louisiana corporation franchise tax purposes, Parent would not be subject to the franchise tax, because Parent is a limited liability company, eligible to be taxed as an S corporation. Subsidiary would be subject to the franchise tax, because Subsidiary is a corporation.
B. With respect to foreign corporations, R.S. 12:306 generally grants such organizations authority to transact business in this state subject to and limited by any restrictions recited in the certificate of authorization, and in addition thereto provides that they shall enjoy the same, but no greater, rights and privileges as a business or nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of the state of Louisiana to transact the business which such corporation is authorized to contract, and are subject to the same duties, restrictions, penalties, and liabilities (including the payment of taxes) as are imposed on a business or nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of this state. In view of the grant of such rights, privileges, immunities, and the imposition of the same duties, restrictions, penalties, and liabilities on foreign corporations as are imposed on domestic corporations, the exercise of any right, privilege, or the enjoyment of any immunity within this state by a foreign corporation which might be exercised or enjoyed by a domestic business or nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of this state renders the foreign corporation liable for the same taxes, penalties, and interest, where applicable, which would be imposed on a domestic corporation.
C. Thus, both domestic and foreign corporations which enjoy or exercise within this state any of the powers, privileges, or immunities granted to business corporations organized under the provisions of the Business Corporation Act, as found in R.S. 12:1-101 through 1-1704, are subject to and liable for the payment of the franchise tax imposed by this Section.
D. Thus, the mere ownership of property within this state, or an interest in property within this state, including but not limited to mineral interests and oil payments dependent upon production within Louisiana, whether owned directly or by or through a partnership or joint venture or otherwise, renders the corporation subject to franchise tax in Louisiana since a portion of its capital is employed in this state.
E. The tax imposed by this Section shall be at the rate prescribed in R.S. 47:601 for each $1,000, or a major fraction thereof, on the amount of its capital stock, determined as provided in R.S. 47:604, its surplus and undivided profits, determined as provided in R.S. 47:605, and its borrowed capital, determined as provided in R.S. 47:603 on the amount of such capital stock, surplus, and undivided profits, and borrowed capital as is employed in the exercise of its rights, powers, and immunities within this state determined in compliance with the provisions of R.S. 47:606 and R.S. 47:607.
F. The accrual, payment, and reporting of franchise taxes imposed by this Section are set forth in R.S. 47:609.
G. In the case of any domestic or foreign corporation subject to the tax herein imposed, the tax shall not be less than the minimum tax provided in R.S. 47:601.