POPULATION: 4,510,086 (2005 estimate)
LABOR FORCE: 2,012,722 (July 2005 estimate)
RIGHT TO WORK: Yes
TRADITIONAL INDUSTRIES: Oil and gas, petrochemicals, agriculture, timber, processed foods
EXPANDING INDUSTRIES: International trade, port-related activities, back-office operations, aviation, tourism, R&D, ship- and boat-building, fabricated metal, biotechnology, health care services, information technology
COLLEGE GRADUATES: (Age 25 and over) 15.1%
BASIC BUSINESS TAXES:
Corporate Income Tax: 4 percent on first $25,000; 5 percent on second $25,000; 6 percent on next $50,000; 7 percent on next $100,000; 8 percent over $200,000
Corporate Franchise Tax: $1.50 per $1,000 on first $300,000 of capital stock, surplus, undivided profits, and borrowed capital; $3.00 per $1,000 above $300,000
Sales and Use Tax: 4 percent levied on sale of tangible personal property at retail, as well as the use, consumption, distribution, or storage of tangible personal property and the sale of services in the state; 1 to 5 percent local rate. Several exemptions provided for sales tax
Property Tax: 1 percent of value of land and improvements for homeowners and 1.5 percent of value of equipment and improvements for businesses; levied by cities and parishes
BUSINESS INCENTIVES:
Industrial Revenue Bonds
Direct, Guaranteed, and Participation Business Loans
Direct and Guaranteed Loans
on Agricultural Products
CDBG (low-interest loans to
companies that hire low- and moderate-income people)
Industrial Property Tax Exemption
Research Park Tax Exemption
Inventory Tax Rebate
Jobs Tax Credit
Enterprise Zones (jobs and sales tax credits)
Quality Jobs Program (5 or 6
percent of payroll and sales tax rebate)
No Sales Tax on Custom Software
Work Force Development and Training (for new or experienced workers)
Economic Development Awards Program (for infrastructure needs)
Research and Development
Tax Credit
Film and Video Tax Credit
Angel Investor Tax Credit