Start Your Business

Determine your business name and business structure. For your convenience, we have provided a guide to organizational structures. The Oklahoma Tax Commission has important information related to these structures.

Perform a name availability search to see if your business name is available. This may be done electronically. If your business name is available and you are still not ready to register the business, you may reserve your business name for up to 60 days by filing a name reservation. Please note that a name reservation is not a business registration, its purpose is to only reserve the business name. Sole proprietors may particularly want to do this step. Registration is available electronically or by filling out the appropriate forms and submitting them to our office. For additional information, please contact us at (405) 521-3912.

When you decide on your desired business structure, note which formal types of business structures must be registered. These business registrations are available electronically or by filling out the appropriate forms and submitting them to our office. For additional information, please contact us at (405) 521-3912.

Determine if you want or need a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) by visiting the Internal Revenue Service EIN page.

If your business is going to have employees, there are additional registrations and filings that will be required. They are the following:

• You will need to set up a withholding account for income taxes through the Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC). The OTC can be reached at (405) 521-3160 or utilize the OTC Online Registration Service.
• You will need to set up an account for employees’ unemployment taxes through the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC). The OESC can be reached at (405) 557-7100 or oklahoma.gov/oesc
• If you do not have a private workers compensation insurance policy, contact CompSource Oklahoma at 405/232-7663 or 800/347-3863 or www.compsourceok.com.

In accordance with state laws in Oklahoma, you may need specific licenses and permits to operate various types of businesses. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce has provided a Business Licensing and Operating Requirements page which will help guide you through the requirements.