Seafood menu label requirement now has teeth

As of Jan. 1, Louisiana's requirement to label origin of shrimp and crawfish on menus carries

a penalty for noncompliance -- a fine between $200 and $500 for the first offense, higher

on subsequent offenses.

That means a restaurant serving imported shrimp or crawfish must label it as imported or the country of origin in the same typeface or style as the menu item. A restaurant that doesn't use menus must post an 18"x18" sign at its main entrance about the foreign crawfish and shrimp.

For more information and labeling guidelines, click here to visit the Louisiana Department of Health's website.

LDR won't mail a sales tax return to businesses anymore

The Louisiana Department of Revenue has announced it will no longer print and mail copies of the Louisiana state sales tax return to businesses -- a move that is estimated to save taxpayers $100,000 a year in printing and mailing costs.

As of January 2025, businesses have three methods to submit state sales tax returns and payments:

1) File and pay electronically through the Louisiana Taxpayer Access Point (LaTAP) account portal at www.revenue.louisiana.gov/LaTAP;

2) File and pay electronically through Parish E-File, where state, parish and city sales tax returns can be filed; or

3) Download a printed copy of the state sales tax form from www.revenue.louisiana.gov/Forms.

Did you know?

Occupational licenses due now

You already know occupational licenses in Terrebonne Parish are due annually, expiring Dec. 31. But did you realize that if not renewed by Feb. 28, a penalty and interest will be added to the license fee?

Renew your business or organization's occupational license today to avoid the penalty. Questions? Call the Terrebonne Sales and Use Tax Department at (985) 876-3734, 8:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.

LWD wants to know who doesn't show up for interviews

Scheduling an interview with a job candidate is difficult enough. It's frustrating when that candidate doesn't both to show up for the interview.

Did you know you can report interview no-shows to the Louisiana Workforce Commission? If that person is receiving unemployment benefits, their failure to show for the interview could affect their unemployment eligibility. Report no-shows here.

IRS releases 2025 standard mileage rates

The Internal Revenue Service has announced the optional standard mileage rate for automobiles driven for business will increase by 3 cents -- to 70 cents per mile -- in 2025 while the mileage rates for vehicles used for other purposes will remain at the 2024 level.

The increased rate applies to the use of a car, van, pickup or panel truck driven for business use. The rates remaining constant are 21 cents per mile driven for medical purposes and qualified active-duty members of the Armed Forces, and 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations.

Using the standard mileage rate is optional; instead, taxpayers can calculate the actual cost of using their vehicle.

General contractor's course registration open

The Louisiana Contractors Accreditation Institute's General Contractors Seminar will be offered Feb. 24-April 30. The course will meet 6-8 p.m. twice weekly (Mondays and Wednesday) online.

The course, which carries a $350 fee that covers materials, will focus on commercial construction. Registration is open until Feb. 21; register through Fletcher Technical Community College. For information, contact Camille Campbell at 225-342-5534 or camille.campbell@la.gov.

NSU offers culinary, general career fairs

Looking for new employees? Nicholls State University has two upcoming career fairs and seeks companies to participate in:

• The Culinary Career Fair -- 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26.
• The All Majors Career Fair -- 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25.

Register your business to participate in one by clicking here; once registered, payment information will be sent separately. For questions, contact katherine.mabile@nicholls.edu or call 985-448-4109.

Free training opportunities to start or grow a business

The Louisiana Small Business Development Center offers free online training for startup and existing businesses on various topics, including:

• "Empowering Borrowers and Lenders through LED's Collateral Support Program," set for 10-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5. Register here.
• "Starting & Financing a Small Business" will be 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12. Register here.
• "Business Planning for Entrepreneurs," set 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26. Register here.

Find more training opportunities here.