Tulsa Area Small Business Guide Click here for a printer friendly copy
Business For Yourself?
There are numerous details to be considered when venturing into business for the first time. The objective of this guide is to provide some assistance for the prospective business owner.
Steps To Follow
1. Some businesses may require permits or licenses. The first step should be:
City License Center
175 E 2nd
Tulsa OK 74120
(918) 596-7640
www.cityoftulsa.org
or
Oklahoma Department of Commerce
Business Development Division
900 N Stiles
Oklahoma City OK 73104-3234
(800) 879-6552
www.okcommerce.gov
Zoning information can be obtained from:
Indian Nations Council of Governments
201 W. 5th St. Suite 600
Tulsa Oklahoma 74103-4236
( 918) 584-7526
www.incog.org
INCOG has zoning authority for the city of Tulsa plus a five-mile perimeter from the city limits. Location of a business outside this area should be coordinated through the city or county involved.
2. The second step should be the Oklahoma Tax Commission. The Tulsa office provides information on all business taxes. State Income Tax must be deducted from employee wages and Sales Tax added to customer billing. This money is then forwarded to the Tax Commission. The office issues various business tax licenses and permits, and registers employers for income tax withholding purposes
Oklahoma Tax Commission
440 South Houston
Tulsa Oklahoma 74127
( 918) 449-6280 or 1-800-522-8165
Oklahoma tax rules and forms may be downloaded from:
www.oktax.state.ok.us
The OTC holds a monthly tax workshop. For details go to:
www.tax.ok.gov/btwkshps.html
3. The next step should be the Internal Revenue Service for information about federal taxes. A business must withhold Income, Social Security and Medicare taxes from employees, make periodic deposits of these taxes plus the matching share of Social Security and Medicare and Unemployment tax. Publication 334 is a tax guide for Proprietorships, 541 is for Partnerships and 542 for Corporations. You may wish to attend the free IRS small business workshop and obtain their “Businessman’s Kit” of tax information. Contact the:
Internal Revenue Service
1645 S 101st E Ave
Tulsa Oklahoma
Forms and Information (800) 829-1040
Forms only 1-800-829-3676
IRS forms and publications may be downloaded from:
www.irs.gov
The Tulsa Society of Certified Public Accountants holds small business Federal Tax Workshops call 918-583-2600
4. Employerare required to pay unemployment insurance taxes. For information contact:
Oklahoma Employment Security Commission
6128 E 38th St Suite 405
Tulsa Oklahoma 74135
(918) 384-2300
www.oesc.state.ok.us
5. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970(OSHA) affects all businesses. For information on compliance with the Act’s standards contact:
Oklahoma LaborDepartment
440 S. Houston Suite 300
Tulsa Oklahoma 74127
(918) 581-2400 or (888) 269-5353
www.labor.ok.gov
6. Worker’s Compensation Insurance is required by law for most types of employment. This insurance covers employees in the event of injury or death while on the job. For information, contact:
Worker’s Compensation Court
440 S. Houston
Tulsa Oklahoma 74127
(918) 581-2714 or (800) 522-8210
www.owcc.state.ok.us
7. US Immigration and Naturalization Service Employment Eligibility Law requires every person you employee to complete a one page Form I-9. This form may be requested from:
US Naturalization Service
4400 SW 44th St Suite A Highline Blvd
Oklahoma City Oklahoma 73119-2800
(405) 942-8670) or (405) 219-3199
www.uscis.gov
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Registering Brand Names & Trademarks
Brand names and trademarks may be registered in the Patent and Trademark Office of the US Department of Commerce. Application for registration of a trademark is relatively simple and may be handled by the applicant on the Internet. Trademark records, phone books, etc. should be searched for similar names before filing. Much of this can be done on the Internet. However, you may choose to pay an additional fee and have an attorney do it for you.
The best procedure is to have an experienced patent and trademark attorney search the records to determine, if the name you propose to use is available and file your application. Should you proceed without a search, you may infringe on a name already in use and could be held legally liable for damages. In such a case you also will have lost your registration fee, the money invested in labels, literature and advertising.
The Patent Office currently receives thousands of applications each year and processing is rather slow. It may take six months or more from the date of your application to the time the Patent Office makes a decision on it. For additional information and forms write:
Patent and Trademark Office
US Department of Commerce
Washington DC 20231
www.uspto.gov
Forms of Organization
The decision on whether to establish the business as a Proprietorship, Partnership, C corporation, S Corporation or Limited Liability Company is very significant. Record keeping, accounting complexity, business taxes, personal taxes and personal liability are all affected. Consulting with an attorney and an accountant experienced with small business practices should be a prerequisite to this decision.
Information about corporate and partnership registration can be obtained from:
Secretary of State
State Capital Building Room 101
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd.
Oklahoma City Oklahoma 73105-4897
(405) 521-3912
www.sos.state.ok.us
Business Insurance
New businessmen assume that they cannot afford insurance. This can lead to severe problems. There are legal requirements for certain types of insurance, such as Workers Compensation. Motor vehicles, product liability, property, etc. must be properly covered.
An insurance agent should be chosen carefully. The agent should be experienced in insurance for small businesses, must understand the exact nature of the new business and be asked for a recommendation on the needed insurance coverage. This should be done in advance of opening the business.
Other Sources of Information
Small Business Administration (SBA)
Provides management counseling, financial aid and help in procuring government contracts to owners of small businesses.
Small Business Administration District Office
301 N. 6th Suite 101
Oklahoma City Oklahoma 73102
(405) 609-8000
www.sba.gov
SCORE: Counselors to America's Small Business
Sponsored by the Small Business Administration, SCORE provides free consulting services to small businesses and those contemplating going into business.
SCORE Chapter 194
907 S Detroit Suite 1012
Tulsa Oklahoma 74120
(918) 581-7462
www.tulsascore.org
Better Business Bureau
Provides information concerning potential customers and suppliers and receives complaints about businesses
1722 S Carson Ave Suite 3200
Tulsa Oklahoma 74119
(918) 492-1266
www.tulsa.bbb.org
Oklahoma State Employment Service
Provides a placement service for employers. Publishes statistical data concerning the labor force in Oklahoma:
6128 E 38th Street Suite 405
Tulsa Oklahoma 74135
(918) 384-2300
www.oesc.state.ok.us
University of Oklahoma
The Center for Economic and Management Research provides statistics on the State of Oklahoma such as population, health, education, climate, income, prices, banking & public utilities.
307 West Brooks Room 4
Norman Oklahoma 73069
(405) 325-2931
price.ou.edu/cemr/index.asp
Oklahoma Department of Commerce Research Division
Provides statistical information on the state.
900 N Stiles
Oklahoma City OK 73104-3234
(918) 815-6552 (800) 879-6552
www.okcommerce.gov
City-County Library System
Provides business information including government documents.
Business and Technology Departmen
400 Civic Center – 4th Floor
Tulsa Oklahoma 74103
(918) 596-7977
www.tulsalibrary.org
Constant Contact
Staying in touch with customers through periodic newsletters and
promotional announcements brings repeat business. Constant
contact is an e-mail service that allows a business owner
to do this at a minimal cost.
www.constantcontact.com
Census Information Center of Eastern Oklahoma
Provides census information and reports
www.csctulsa.org/US%20Census%20CIC.htm
OSU Extension Center
Provides home based business information.
4116 E 15th Street
Tulsa OK 74112
(918) 746-3721
www.fcs.okstate.edu/microbiz
Tulsa Metro Chamber
Small Business Center provides services to businesses: economic studies, statistical data, networking and business directories.
2 W 2nd Street Suite 150
Tulsa Oklahoma 74103
(918) 585-1201
www.tulsachamber.com
Oklahoma Small Business Development Center
Provides counseling, economic development assistance and training to small businesses
3100 E N Orleans
Broken Arrow OK 74014
(918) 449-6280
www.osbdc.org
RSVP VOICES of Experience
Management assistance provided to Non-Profit and Public Agencies
5756 E 31st Street
Tulsa OK 74135
(918) 280-8656
www.rsvptulsa.org
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