Business and Economy

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.

• Business Structure
  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 sole 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 Corporation
  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 (LLC)
  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.

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, Fictitious Names should be recorded with the County Clerk.
   
• Name Availability Search
  Search the Secretary of State for availability of your potential business name.

Steps to Registering a Business

Whether you are starting a new business or expanding an existing business, you will need to follow some basic steps to ensure you have all the necessary licenses, permits and registrations needed to legally operate.

• Oklahoma Secretary of State Business Filing Forms
  Download forms to register your business with the Oklahoma Secretary of State.
   
• Apply for an Employer Indentification 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.
   
• Oklahoma Business Registration
   
• Employer Resources from the Oklahoma Employment Securities Commission
  The OESC requires employers to register and file a variety of reports including new hire reporting, unemployment, etc.

Business Licenses and Permits

Every business needs one or more federal, state or local licenses or permits to operate. Licenses can range from a basic operating license to very specific permits.

• City of Tulsa Permits and Licensing
  The City of Tulsa requires permits and licensing for certain types of businesses. Refer to this site to determine which permit or license your business might require.
   
• 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. 

Zoning codes could effect where you put your business.

• Zoning (Tulsa Planning Office)

• Tulsa City and County Zoning Code

   

IRS Publication 538, Accounting Periods and Methods

Determining the when's and how's 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 Business Tax Forms
  This site contains the tax forms relevant to business owners and operators in the State of Oklahoma.
   
• IRS Tax Information for Businesses
  Tax topics and issues for businesses
   
• IRS Small Business Forms and Publications
  Publications from the IRS to guide and inform business owners.
   
• Oklahoma Sales & Use Tax

Small Business Certification

Small business certifications are like professional certifications.  They document a special capability or status that will help you compete in the marketplace. In order to take advantage of business opportunities, such as government contracts, you may need to obtain some certifications.

• Women & Minority Owned Business Certification
  Information from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce about and how to obtain the Women-Owned Business Certification.
   
• 8(a) Business Development
  The 8(a) Program -- named for Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act – is a business development program created to help small disadvantaged businesses compete in the market place.
   
• Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBzone)
  Program allows federal contract set-asides for small businesses in economically depressed communities.
   
• Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business

• 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 non-citizens.
• Form I-9
  The purpose of this form is to document that each new employee (both citizen and non-citizen) 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.
   
• Oklahoma Unemployment Insurance
  Everything an employer needs to know to register and file employees with the OESC for unemployment insurance.
   
• Oklahoma 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.

• Tulsa County Bar Association Lawyer Referral
  The Lawyer Referral Service is an easy way to get a ½ hour legal consultation for only $25.

Because sometimes you can't do it on your own and need professional help.

• Martindale Hubbell Lawyer Directory
  Locate lawyers using a variety of criteria.
   
• Find a CPA/PA
  Use this tool from the Oklahoma Accountancy Board to locate a certified or licensed accountant.

The Business Center brings together an assortment of working tools and learning opportunities for our community’s business customers at no charge for library card holders. Our resources include a variety of databases for market and industry research, tools for business planning, legal guides for business, and more.

The City of Tulsa's Doing Business in Tulsa is a great resource for finding out  what it takes to operate a business legally and safely in Tulsa. 

Greenwood Women's Business Center supports diverse women entrepreneurs in their journey across all business life cycles – from start-up to maturity – with information, tools, and resources designed to escalate their visions.

Partner Tulsa provides entrepreneurial education, management training, growth assistance and strategy.

The Small Business Enterprise Program seeks to support Tulsa-area small businesses by increasing access to government contracts. 

Tulsa Small Business Connection is Northeast Oklahoma’s leading network for connecting small businesses with the tools to grow in a competitive global market.

• Annual Survey of Manufacturers
  The Annual Survey of Manufactures (ASM) provides sample estimates of statistics for all manufacturing establishments with one or more paid employee.
   
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
  Search by Subject, Data, Publications.
  • BLS Surveys and Programs
     
• Business and Economy from the U.S. Census
  The Census Bureau produces economic data across the entire economy on a monthly, quarterly, yearly, and five-year basis.
   
• County and City Data Book
  These datasets include data from various U. S. censuses including population and housing, economic, agriculture, and decennial. They provide users a way to look at multi-area comparisons and single-area profiles.
   
• County Business Patterns
  This annual series provides subnational economic data by industry.
   
• Employment and Training Administration
  Workforce tools, strategies, and technical assistance.
   
• Federal Reserve System Data
  Includes Bank Assets, Business Finance, Exchange Rates and International Data, Financial Accounts, Household Finance, Interest Rates, Money Stock and Reserve Balances.
   
• Occupational Information Network (O*NET)
  Comprehensive database system for collecting, organizing, describing and disseminating data on job characteristics and worker attributes. 
   
• Occupational Outlook Handbook
  Current information and projections for most occupations.
   
• Small Business Hub: A Research Guide for Entrepreneurs
  Library of Congress Research Guide
   
• Industries at a Glance
  Bureau of Labor Statistics data for over 100 industries.
   
• Industry Data
  From the U.S. Department of Labor
   
• Business Costs
  From the U.S. Department of Labor

• ALFRED - Archival Federal Reserve Economic Data
  ALFRED allows you to retrieve each vintage economic data release that was available on a specific date in history. 
   
• Bureau of Economic Analysis
  From the U.S. Department of Commerce
   
• Business and Economy
  The Census Bureau produces economic data across the entire economy on a monthly, quarterly, yearly, and five-year basis.
   
• Economic Census
  The Economic Census is the official five-year measure of businesses in the United States providing comprehensive statistics at the national, state, and local levels. It serves as the benchmark for current economic activity, such as the Gross Domestic Product and Producer Price Index.
   
• Economic Indicators
  Shows a variety of economic indicators and the rate of change in that area.
   
• Economic Report of the President
  Annual report which provides an overview of the nation's economic progress.
   
• Economy at a Glance
  Regions, states, and areas at a glance.
   
• FEDS Notes
  FEDS Notes are articles in which Board staff offer their own views and present analysis on a range of topics in economics and finance. These articles are shorter and less technically oriented than FEDS Working Papers and IFDP papers.
   
• FRASER - Federal Reserve Archival System for Economic Research
  Fraser's collection of more than 10,000  speeches of Federal Reserve officials, 1913 - present, provides insights into the policy perspectives of Federal Reserve Board Governors, Chairs, and Reserve Bank Presidents.
   
• FRED - Federal Reserve Economic Data
  Search by key term, trending terms, or browse data by Category, Release, Source, Tag, Release Calendar.
   
• Statistics of U.S. Businesses
  Annual series that provides national and subnational data on the distribution of economic data by enterprise size and industry.
   
• Survey of Current Business
  Statistics on the U.S. economy curated by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
   

• Oklahoma Commerce Department
  The Policy, Research and Economic Analysis Division provides decision makers with timely data and analyses to assist them in the formulation of social and economic policies. We have reports about Oklahoma’s economy, businesses and workforce.
   
• Labor Market Info
  From the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission.
   
• Oklahoma Economy at a Glance
  From the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics.