Louisiana mandates e-filing and e-payment for most sales tax returns

Key points

• Move any remaining Louisiana sales tax returns and payments to an approved electronic method before submissions made on or after January 1, 2026.
• Paper-filed returns can trigger a penalty of $100 or 5% of tax due, whichever is greater.
• Non-electronic payments can be treated as delinquent and become subject to penalties and interest.

What changed

• Louisiana will require electronic filing and electronic payment for nearly all sales and use tax returns. Paper returns and check payments will no longer be accepted in most cases, including Form R-1029, even if you previously qualified to file or pay by paper.
• Effective date: January 1, 2026. This applies to any return or payment submitted on or after that date, regardless of the taxable period being reported.

Who’s affected

• Remote sellers and ecommerce brands registered to collect Louisiana sales and use tax that file Form R-1029
• Sellers or operators who still mail returns or pay by check for Louisiana sales tax
• Accounting teams and CPAs responsible for Louisiana sales tax filings and payment workflows

Next steps for sellers

• Calculation: Confirm your systems are set up to calculate Louisiana sales tax correctly at the address level.
• Review: Identify which Louisiana sales and use tax returns you file and confirm both filing and payment are handled electronically. Louisiana lists LaTAP, Parish E-file, Sales Tax Online, and approved third-party software as acceptable options.
• Reporting: For reporting periods that include January 1, 2026, file and pay using an approved electronic method and document the process so it stays consistent across staff and advisors.