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1) Check what licenses you actually need (state + local)

  • State/industry licenses. Use the Oregon Business Xpress License Directory to search by keyword (e.g., “contractor,” “food cart,” “salon”). It covers 1,100+ state, city, and county licenses and tells you which agency issues them.
    👉 License Directory

  • Local licenses/taxes. Many Oregon cities and counties require a local business license or a business tax account. Example: Portland & Multnomah County require registration with the City’s Revenue Division (business license tax / business income tax).
    👉 Portland Business Tax: register/file/pay • Register online (PRO)

Official note reiterating the above: Oregon doesn’t have a general state license, but many activities/occupations are licensed; cities/counties may require their own license.

2) Pick your legal structure & register the business name with the State

A) Choose a name & check availability

  • Search the state database to confirm your name is available.
    👉 Business name search

  • Oregon reminds you that registering a name doesn’t give exclusive trademark rights—rights come from use and enforcement.

B) Create or register your business

C) Know the fees & processing time

  • Current fee schedule (ABN, LLC, corporation, etc.).
    👉 Business Registry Fee Schedule (PDF)

  • Typical online filings process about 1–3 business days (shown on the state’s status page).

D) Keep annual/biannual renewals on your calendar

  • Entities (LLC/corp): annual report each year on your anniversary date.

  • Assumed Business Names (DBA): renew every two years.
    👉 Renewal/annual report guidance

Tip: When you file, most details become public record. Oregon suggests privacy alternatives (e.g., avoid listing a home address if possible).

3) Get your Federal EIN (free)

Apply directly with the IRS—free and immediate online issuance.
👉 IRS: Get an EIN

4) Register for Oregon taxes (as needed)

A) Create a Revenue Online account (DOR)

Use this to manage registrations and file/pay taxes.
👉 Oregon Revenue Online

B) Hiring employees? Complete the Combined Employer Registration (CER)

One registration sets you up with:

  • Oregon Department of Revenue (withholding & statewide transit tax),

  • Oregon Employment Department (unemployment insurance), and

  • DCBS (Workers’ Benefit Fund assessment).
    👉 File online via Revenue Online, or see the OR-CER form and instructions:
    • Form OR-CER (PDF) • OR-CER instructions
    • Employer payroll overview & Business Identification Number (BIN) info (processing times noted): Withholding & Payroll Tax

C) Understand common Oregon business taxes

  • Corporate Activity Tax (CAT). Gross-receipts-style tax. Registration is required when Oregon commercial activity exceeds $750,000, and returns are due if over $1,000,000 (see DOR CAT page & FAQs for thresholds/filing rules).
    👉 CAT overview & FAQs

  • Statewide Transit Tax (STT). Employers withhold a small percentage from employee wages and remit to DOR (separate from TriMet/Lane transit payroll taxes).
    👉 Statewide Transit Tax

  • Local transit payroll/self-employment taxes (if operating inside TriMet or Lane Transit District boundaries). Employers register and report through DOR.
    👉 TriMet payroll tax (employers) • Lane Transit payroll tax (employers) • TriMet info page

Oregon has no state sales tax, so there’s no sales-tax permit, but the items above still apply.

5) If you have employees: Workers’ comp & WBF

  • Workers’ compensation insurance is required for most Oregon employers with “subject workers.” You’ll typically buy a policy through an insurer; coverage proof is filed on your behalf.
    👉 Do I need workers’ comp? (WCD/DCBS) • Coverage overview

  • Workers’ Benefit Fund (WBF) assessment is a small hourly assessment split between employer and worker; DCBS publishes the annual rate.
    👉 WBF program • 2025 rate notice

6) Get your local license or tax account

Your city/county may require a license or business tax registration in addition to state registration. Use the License Directory (Step 1) to find yours. Examples:

7) Apply for industry-specific licenses (only if applicable)

A few common examples:

8) Handle federal BOI reporting (check current status)

The federal Corporate Transparency Act has seen legal/regulatory changes during 2025. Before filing or deciding you’re exempt, check FinCEN’s current guidance and deadlines.
👉 FinCEN: BOI home (see updates/FAQ)

Why this matters: Some entities must report their beneficial owners to FinCEN; others may be exempt—requirements have changed in 2025, and official guidance is evolving. Always confirm on FinCEN’s site before you act.

9) Open your business bank account & set up records

  • Take your Articles/ABN, EIN, and (if applicable) local license/tax registration to the bank to open a business account.

  • Set a reminder for annual reports (entities) / biennial ABN renewals in Step 2D.

What you’ll typically need (info & documents)

  • Owner info (names, addresses), business address, email/phone.

  • Business structure and name (and name availability confirmed).

  • Registered agent with a physical Oregon street address (no PO Boxes) for LLCs/corporations.

  • EIN (Step 3).

  • If hiring: employee headcount estimates; payroll start date; NAICS code; wage/pay cycle; Combined Employer Registration details.

  • Any industry-specific documents (e.g., food safety plans, contractor bond/insurance).

Quick clickable checklist

FAQ (ultra-short)

  • Do I need a “state business license”? No general license—register your entity/name with the Secretary of State, then get state professional licenses (if any) and local licenses/tax accounts.

  • How fast is state registration? Online filings generally process in 1–3 business days.

  • How often do I renew? Entities annually; ABN/DBA every 2 years.

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