255 Capitol St. NE, Ste 151
Salem Oregon 97310-1327
503 986 2200

Corporation Division

Office Hours: Monday - Friday | 8am - 5pm

How to Start a Business in Oregon Table of Contents

Welcome
Letter from Kate Brown

How To Start Checklist
Starting a successful business requires a great deal of preparation. The following is a basic checklist of recommendations to help you get your business off to a good start.

  1. How To Start
  2. Select your business name and structure
                Sole Proprietorship
                General Partnership
                Corporation
                Domestic Corporation
                Foreign Corporation
                Limited Liability Company
                Domestic Limited Liability Company
                Foreign Limited Liability Company
                Limited Partnership
                Domestic Limited Partnership
                Foreign Limited Partnership
                Limited Liability Partnership
                Reserving a Corporate Name, Limited Liability Company, or Limited Partnership Name
                Assumed Business Name (ABN) Registration
                Sale of Securities for Some Types of Business Structures
  3. Check State License Requirements - Business Information Center
  4. Check Local License Requirements
  5. Check Zoning for Business Location
  6. Obtain Income Tax Information
                Estimated Income Tax Payments
  7. Arrange for Personal Property Report
  8. Check on other Taxes that Apply to Your Business
  9. Obtain Federal Tax I.D. Number, if needed
10. Check with the Department of Environmental Quality, if required
11. Determine if you must comply with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA)
12. Determine if you must register with the Construction or Landscape Contractors Board

Business Assistance Programs

Introduction
Management and Technical Services
Small Business Development Centers
SCORE
Oregon Economic and Community Development
Labor Market Information
Minority & Women Owned Business Assistance Programs
Financial Resources
Marketing and International Trade

Miscellaneous

U.S. Patents, U.S. Copyrights, Trademarks and Service Marks
Buying Wholesale and Sales Tax
Oregon's Minimum Wage
Using Music in Your Business
County Assessor's Phone Numbers
Map of Oregon Counties
New Business Checklist (Cut out) .pdf