St. Tammany Parish Business License and Sales Tax

St. Tammany Parish is one of Louisiana's fastest-growing regions, anchored by Slidell, Mandeville, and Covington. If you are starting a business in St. Tammany Parish, you will need to understand the parish-wide sales tax system and the occupational license requirements, which vary between unincorporated areas and incorporated cities. This guide covers the requirements, costs, and steps for each area.

Understanding St. Tammany Parish Sales Tax

Louisiana's state sales tax is a flat 5 percent. St. Tammany Parish adds local sales tax on top of this amount, bringing the total to a higher combined rate. The exact local rate in your specific area within the parish depends on the city or unincorporated zone where your business operates. The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office acts as the single sales tax collector for the entire parish, meaning sales tax revenue is centralized regardless of whether you operate in an incorporated city or unincorporated area.

The key principle is straightforward: you owe state sales tax to Louisiana, and you owe parish and local sales tax to St. Tammany Parish through the Sheriff. Unlike some states, Louisiana does not issue a single statewide business license. Instead, licensing is handled at the parish and municipal levels.

Sales Tax Permit and Registration

Before you open for business, you must register with the Louisiana Department of Revenue to obtain a sales tax permit. You can begin the registration process online at revenue.louisiana.gov/businesses/general-resources/business-registration/ or contact the department directly. The registration process is the same statewide; the parish-level tax is collected through the same permit system.

When registering, you will provide information about your business location, type, and expected monthly sales. The Department of Revenue will issue you a sales tax permit number. You are required to collect sales tax from your customers and remit it according to the payment schedule assigned to your account. Most small businesses remit monthly, though very small operations may qualify for quarterly filing.

Confirm Your Local Sales Tax Rate

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office maintains current information on local sales tax rates by area. Before finalizing your pricing and tax calculations, confirm the exact combined state, parish, and local rate that applies to your business location. This is critical because rates can vary by city and zone.

Occupational Licenses: The Parish Divide

St. Tammany Parish handles occupational licensing differently depending on whether your business is in an unincorporated area or inside one of the parish's incorporated cities. This creates three distinct paths: the Sheriff's Office for unincorporated areas, and separate city processes for Slidell, Mandeville, and Covington.

Unincorporated St. Tammany Parish

If your business operates in an unincorporated area of St. Tammany Parish, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office issues occupational licenses. The Sheriff serves as the licensing authority for all unincorporated zones and is also the single sales tax collector for the entire parish. This means your occupational license and sales tax registration are handled by the same office, simplifying the process in rural and suburban areas outside the major cities.

To obtain an occupational license in unincorporated St. Tammany Parish, visit or contact the Sheriff's Office directly. You will need to provide information about your business type, location, and ownership. The Sheriff's Office will inform you of the specific requirements and fees that apply to your line of work. Some business types, such as food service or home-based operations, may have additional requirements or restrictions.

Occupational licenses in unincorporated St. Tammany typically require annual renewal. Plan to renew your license before or on the renewal date each year to avoid operating unlicensed.

Slidell Occupational License

Slidell, Louisiana's largest city in St. Tammany Parish, issues its own occupational licenses and business permits. Even though the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff collects sales tax parish-wide, Slidell maintains its own licensing requirements and occupational license process. This means your Slidell business license and your state sales tax permit are separate applications.

To obtain a Slidell occupational license, contact the City of Slidell's finance or business licensing department. You will complete a separate application for Slidell that includes your business details, location address within the city, and business type. Slidell's fees and requirements may differ from unincorporated areas, particularly for specific industries such as retail, food service, or professional services.

Like most cities in Louisiana, Slidell requires annual occupational license renewal. Note that a Slidell business license is required in addition to your state sales tax permit. Some business types may also need additional permits or inspections from Slidell, such as a health permit for food businesses or a building permit for physical renovations.

Mandeville Business License

Mandeville issues separate occupational licenses and business permits for all businesses operating within city limits. The City of Mandeville's business licensing department will require you to apply directly with the city, even though you are also required to register with the Louisiana Department of Revenue for state sales tax.

The application for a Mandeville business license asks for your business name, ownership structure, business address, and type of operation. Mandeville's fees and renewal requirements apply regardless of your business structure, whether you are a sole proprietor, LLC, or corporation. Like other St. Tammany cities, Mandeville may impose additional requirements such as health permits or zoning approvals depending on your business type.

Renewal is required annually. Keep your renewal notice and plan to submit your renewal at the specified time each year.

Covington Business License

Covington, located north of Mandeville, issues its own occupational licenses for businesses operating within city limits. The City of Covington's licensing process is separate from both the state sales tax registration and the Sheriff's process in unincorporated areas.

To obtain a Covington business license, contact the City of Covington's administrative office or business licensing division. Provide your business information, location, and business type. Covington's fees and renewal process apply annually, just as in other incorporated municipalities.

Step-by-Step Application Process

For Unincorporated St. Tammany Parish Businesses

1. Contact the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office to request an occupational license application.
2. Complete the application with your business details, location, and type.
3. Submit the application with the required fee.
4. The Sheriff will issue your occupational license, typically valid for one year from issuance.
5. Simultaneously, register with the Louisiana Department of Revenue for your state sales tax permit at revenue.louisiana.gov/businesses/general-resources/business-registration/.
6. Receive your sales tax permit number from the state.
7. Begin collecting and remitting sales tax according to your assigned filing frequency (usually monthly).
8. Renew your occupational license annually with the Sheriff before the expiration date.

For Slidell, Mandeville, or Covington Businesses

1. Contact the city's business licensing department (Slidell, Mandeville, or Covington) to request an occupational license application.
2. Complete and submit the city's application with your business information and the required fee.
3. Receive your city business license, valid for one year (renewal date varies by city).
4. Register separately with the Louisiana Department of Revenue for your state sales tax permit at revenue.louisiana.gov/businesses/general-resources/business-registration/.
5. Receive your sales tax permit number from the state.
6. Begin collecting and remitting sales tax according to your assigned filing frequency.
7. Check with the city for any additional permits or requirements specific to your business type (health permits, zoning approval, etc.).
8. Renew both your city occupational license and state sales tax registration according to their respective renewal dates.

Fees and Timeline

Occupational license fees in St. Tammany Parish vary by business type and location. Unincorporated areas, Slidell, Mandeville, and Covington each set their own fee schedules. Some municipalities use a flat fee, while others base fees on estimated annual revenue or business classification. Confirm the exact fee that applies to your business type and location by contacting the appropriate office directly.

State sales tax registration typically completes within a few business days of submission to the Department of Revenue. You will receive your permit number and instructions for remitting sales tax. Local occupational licenses usually issue within a few days to a week, depending on the city or the Sheriff's Office processing time and whether your business requires inspections or additional approvals.

Common Questions About St. Tammany Parish Business Licenses and Sales Tax

Do I need both a city license and a state sales tax permit?

Yes. If you are in an incorporated city (Slidell, Mandeville, or Covington), you need both the city occupational license and the state sales tax permit. If you are in an unincorporated area, you need the Sheriff's occupational license and the state sales tax permit. They serve different purposes: the occupational license grants you permission to operate in the jurisdiction, while the sales tax permit is your authority to collect and remit sales tax to the state.

Who collects my sales tax?

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office is the single sales tax collector for the entire parish, including incorporated cities. This means sales tax from your business is remitted centrally through the same system, regardless of whether you operate in unincorporated St. Tammany or inside Slidell, Mandeville, or Covington.

What is the combined sales tax rate in my area?

The state rate is 5 percent. Your local combined rate depends on your specific address within St. Tammany Parish, as parish and local additions vary by area. Confirm your exact rate with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office or the Louisiana Department of Revenue before opening for business.

How often must I renew my occupational license?

Occupational licenses in St. Tammany Parish are renewable annually. The renewal date is set when you receive your initial license. Watch for renewal notices from the Sheriff (unincorporated areas) or your city (Slidell, Mandeville, Covington) to ensure you renew on time.

Are there any business types that cannot operate in St. Tammany Parish?

Louisiana law prohibits LLCs from being formed for banking, insurance underwriting, homesteads, or building and loan associations. Additionally, some business types may require state or federal licensing in addition to local licensing. For example, food service businesses need health permits, professional services may require professional licensing (accountants, attorneys, etc.), and certain home-based businesses have zoning restrictions. Confirm with your city or the Sheriff that your intended business type is permitted in your location.

What if my business is seasonal?

Even if your business operates only seasonally, you still must maintain an active occupational license and sales tax permit. Some jurisdictions allow temporary licenses for limited-time operations, but this varies. Ask the city or Sheriff whether temporary licensing is available for your situation.

Key Contacts and Resources

Use the following resources to get accurate information and complete your applications.

• Louisiana Department of Revenue (Sales Tax Permitting): revenue.louisiana.gov or call to confirm current phone numbers and hours.
• St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office (Unincorporated Licensing): Contact directly for occupational license applications and sales tax collector information.
• City of Slidell (Slidell Occupational License): Contact the City of Slidell's business licensing or finance department.
• City of Mandeville (Mandeville Business License): Contact the City of Mandeville's administrative or licensing department.
• City of Covington (Covington Business License): Contact the City of Covington's administrative or licensing office.

A Final Note

This guide provides informational content about St. Tammany Parish occupational licensing and sales tax requirements. It is not legal or tax advice. License fees, renewal dates, and specific requirements for your business type can change and vary by location within the parish. Before opening for business or making significant operational changes, confirm all requirements directly with the relevant agency. Consider consulting with a Louisiana-based accountant or business attorney to ensure your business is fully compliant with all federal, state, and local requirements.