Legal Aspects of Business
Checklist for Starting a Business
This assessment tool is designed to help you better understand your readiness for starting a small business.
Getting Started
Choosing a Business Stucture
One of the first decisions that you will have to make as a business owner is how the company should be structured. These resources offer an introduction to business structures and types of ownership.
- Forms of Ownership
This site from the Small Business Administrations defines the types of business ownership.- Sole Proprietorship
Information from the IRS to help you determine some of the forms that you may be required to file as a sol proprietor. - Partnerships
If you are a partnership or a partner (individual) in a partnership, use the information on this site to help you determine some of the IRS forms that you may be required to file. - Corporations
In forming a corporation, prospective shareholders exchange money, property, or both, for the corporation's capital stock. A corporation conducts business, realizes net income or loss, pays taxes and distributes profits to shareholders. Use this site to determine which IRS forms to file. - S Corporations
S corporations are corporations that elect to pass corporate income, losses, deductions and credit through to their shareholders for federal tax purposes. This site offers information about what an individual may be liable for under an S Corporation and which IRS forms to file. - Limited Liability Company
LLCs are popular because, similar to a corporation, owners have limited personal liability for the debts and actions of the LLC. This site offers federal tax implications for LLC as well as additional resources for forming an LLC.
- Sole Proprietorship
Registering a business
- Oklahoma Secretary of State Business Filing
Register your business with the Oklahoma Secrtary of State. Choose the forms tab to access the correct registration packet based on the structure of your business. - Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, and is used to identify a business entity. Generally, businesses need an EIN. Apply for an EIN online or by fax, phone or mail. - Register your Business with the Oklahoma Tax Commission *
You may also register your business online. Review the complete packet to ensure you’ve taken necessary steps to register. - Register with the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission
Businesses with employees will need to register with the OESC.
Fictitious Business Name / DBA (Doing Business As)
- Understanding a DBA or Ficitious Business Name
This Business.gov site provides an explanation and filing requirements by state for DBAs and Fictious Names. - Tulsa County Clerk
In the State of Oklahoma, Fictious Names should be recorded with the County Clerk. - Name Availability Search
Search the Secretary of State for availability of your potential business name.
Permits & Licensing
- City of Tulsa Permits and Licensing
The City of Tulsa requires permits and licensing for certain types of businesses. Refer to this site to dertermine which permit or license your business might require. - Oklahoma Business Licensing Center Search Tool
Use this search tool to find out quickly which state licenses, permits, or registration you need to conduct business in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma Licensed and Certified Occupations
This publication provides students, clients, counselors and other interested persons with information concerning occupations that require licensing and certification in Oklahoma.
Taxes
IRS Publication 538, Accounting Periods and Methods
Determining the whens and hows of your business accounting practices is another important decision, you’ll need to make. This IRS publication offers information to assist with this decision.
Oklahoma Tax Commission
- Sales Tax Information Packet*
This packet of information contains information for rates of collections of state and city/county sales taxes within the State of Oklahoma. - All Business Tax Forms
This site contains the tax forms relevant to business owners and operators in the State of Oklahoma.
Zoning
- Tulsa County Zoning Code
Zoning codes could effect where you put your business.
Employer Issues
- Oklahoma Department of Labor
The Oklahoma Department of Labor answers questions age eligibility, wage and hour guidelines, safety standards and more. - Employment Eligibility Verification
All U.S. employers must complete and retain a Form I-9 for each individual they hire for employment in the United States. This includes citizens and noncitizens.- Form I9*
The purpose of this form is to document that each new employee (both citizen and noncitizen) hired after November 6, 1986 is authorized to work in the U.S. - E-Verify
an Internet-based system that allows an employer, using information reported on an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to determine the eligibility of that employee to work in the United States.
- Form I9*
- Unemployment information
Everything an employer needs to know to register and file employees with the OESC for unemployment insurance. - Worker’s Compensation
The Oklahoma Worker’s Compensation Court provides information useful to injured workers, employers, insurers, medical providers, attorneys, taxpayers and other interested parties. - Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)
OSHA's mission is to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths.
Business Certification
- Minority-Owned Business Certification
There are multiple certification programs for minority owned businesses. This page offers information about the variety of programs available. - Women-Owned Business Certification*
Women-owned businesses have several advantages when competing for contracting opportunities in Oklahoma. To qualify, a business must be at least 51 percent owned and controlled on a day-to-day basis by one or more women.
Locating Tax & Legal Professionals
- Tulsa County Bar Association Lawyer Referral
The Lawyer Referral Service is an easy way to get a ½ hour legal consultation for only $25.00! - Martindale-Hubbell
Locate lawyers using a variety of criteria. - Find a CPA/PA
Use this tool from the Oklahoma Accountancy Board to locate a certified or licenced accountant. - Know what Counts
Helpful consumer and business information from the Oklahoma Society of CPAs, includes a CPA referral service.
* These links require Adobe Acrobat Reader which is available free online.