Tulsa Area Small Business Resource Guide
Establishing a new small business requires careful planning and there are numerous details to be
considered when venturing into business for the first time. The objective of this guide is to
assist you in finding the information and help you will most likely need.
Initial Steps
1. Permits and Licenses
City License Center
175 E. 2nd St., 4th Floor
Tulsa OK 74103
(918) 596-9456
www.cityoftulsa.org
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
(INCOG)
2 W. 2nd St., Suite 800
Tulsa Oklahoma 74103
(918) 584-7526
www.incog.org
Note: INCOG has zoning authority for the city
of Tulsa plus unincorporated areas in Tulsa
County. Location of a business outside this area
should be coordinated through the city or county
involved.
2. The Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC)
The Tulsa office provides information on all
business taxes, and issues sales tax permits,
various other business tax licenses and
permits, and registers employers for income
tax withholding purposes, contact:
Oklahoma Tax Commission
440 South Houston, 5th Floor
Tulsa Oklahoma 74127
(918) 581-2399 or 1-800-522-8165
www.oktax.state.ok.us
Note: The OTC holds local tax workshops on
the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of each month. To
register for one of these highly recommended
tax workshops call: (918) 449-6592
Revision #7.4 – 02-03-2014
3. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
For information and publications about federal
taxes, tax forms and specific requirements for
Sole Proprietorships, Partnerships, and
Corporations, go to:
www.irs.gov
Tulsa Office
For local services and general assistance,
contact:
Internal Revenue Service
1645 S 101st E Ave
Tulsa Oklahoma 74128
(918) 622-8482
4. Employers are required to pay Unemployment
Insurance Taxes. For information, contact:
Oklahoma Employment Security Commission
6128 E 38th St., Suite 405
Tulsa OK 74135
(918) 384-2300
www.oesc.ok.gov
5. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of
1970 (OSHA) affects all businesses. For
information on compliance with the Act’s
standards, contact:
Oklahoma Labor Department
3017 N. Stiles, Suite 100
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
(405) 521-6100 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, contact:
Worker’s Compensation Court,
Kerr State Office Bldg., Suite 210
440 S. Houston
Tulsa Oklahoma 74127
(918) 581-2714 or (800) 522-8210
www.owcc.state.ok.us
2
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 Street, Suite A
Oklahoma City Oklahoma 73119-2800
(800) 375-5283
www.uscis.gov
Patents, Brand Names &
Trademarks
Brand names, patents and trademarks may be
registered in the Patent Office of The US
Department of Commerce. The best procedure is
to have a patent attorney assist with patent
applications and to search the records of the US
Patent Office to determine if the name you
propose to use is available. Should you proceed
without a name search, you may infringe on an
already registered name and could be held legally
liable for financial damages, as well as the loss of
any money you have invested in labels, literature
and advertising. The actual registration of a
brand name is relatively simple, and can generally
be handled by the applicant. However, you are
strongly advised to consult a patent attorney
before completing the process. For additional
information and forms, contact:
US Patent & Trademark Office
Commissioner for Parents
P.O. Box1450
Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
(800) 786-9199
www.uspto.gov
Corporations, Partnerships and
LLCs
Information about incorporating and
partnerships can be obtained from:
Secretary of State
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Suite 101
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105-4897
(405) 521-3912
www.sos.state.ok.us
Note: Consult an attorney prior to making a
final decision.
Revision #7.4 – 02-03-2014
Business Insurance
New business owners should never assume that
they cannot afford business insurance. Not
having necessary insurance can lead to severe
financial problems and the loss of the business.
Insurance agents should be chosen carefully,
specialize in business insurance, and fully
understand the exact nature of the new business.
Always ask for recommendations regarding the
type of insurance coverage needed.
Note: Business Insurance should be secured
in advance of starting operations.
Small Business Administration
(SBA)
Provides management counseling, financial aid
and help in procuring government contracts to
owners of small businesses, contact:
SBA District Office
301 NW 6th St., Suite 101
Oklahoma City Oklahoma 73102
(405) 609-8000
www.sba.gov
Tulsa SCORE
Sponsored by the Small Business Administration,
SCORE provides comprehensive business
consulting and mentoring services to existing
small businesses and those contemplating going
into business. Mentoring services offered by
Tulsa SCORE are provided at absolutely no cost
to clients. To schedule an appointment with an
experienced SCORE Mentor, call or e-mail:
Tulsa SCORE, Chapter 194
907 S Detroit, Suite 1001
Tulsa Oklahoma 74120
(918) 581-7462
consult.tulsa@scorevolunteer.org
Website: www.tulsa.score.org
Better Business Bureau
To secure potential customers and supplier
information, and to explore the benefits of
membership, contact your local BBB.
Tulsa
1722 S Carson Ave., Suite 3200
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119
(918) 492-1266
www.tulsa.bbb.org
3
Oklahoma State Employment Service
Provides a placement service for employers.
Publishes statistical data concerning the labor
force in Oklahoma, contact:
6128 E. 38th Street, Suite 405
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74135
(918) 384-2300
www.oesc.ok.gov
Tulsa Metro Chamber
Small Business Center provides services to
businesses: economic studies, statistical data
networking and business directories, contact:
One West 3rd St., Suite 100
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103
(918) 585-1201
www.tulsachamber.com
Small Business Hotline
(918) 583-5463
Oklahoma Department of Commerce
Research Division
Provides statistical information on the state,
contact:
900 N. Stiles Ave.
Oklahoma City OK 73104
(405) 815-6552 (800) 879-6552
www.okcommerce.gov
City-County Library System
Provides comprehensive business resources,
information and government documents, contact:
Business and Technology Department
400 Civic Center – 4th Floor
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103
(918) 596-7977
www.tulsalibrary.org
OSU Extension Center-Tulsa Co.
Provides home based business information,
contacts:
4116 E. 15th Street
Tulsa, OK 74112
(918) 746-3706
www.fcs.okstate.edu/microbiz
c.richert@okstate.edu
Oklahoma Small Business
Development Center (OSBDC)
Provides counseling, economic development
assistance and training to small businesses,
contact:
Northeastern State Univ.
3100 E. New Orleans
Broken Arrow, OK 74014
(918) 449-6280
www.osbdc.org
Tulsa Economic Development
Corporation (TEDC)
TEDC, a non-profit organization, has used public
and private funds to finance Oklahoma Small
Businesses since 1979. Loan projects range from
$5,000 to $10 million. Special consideration is
given to creating and retaining local jobs. Startups must submit a comprehensive Business Plan
with three years of financial projections, contact:
TEDC Creative Capital
125 West 3rd St., Second Floor
Tulsa, OK 74103
(918) 585-8332
www.tedcnet.com
Let Tulsa SCORE Help
Start Your New Business-or-Grow Your Existing Business
Plan To Attend One of Our No-Charge Introductory Workshops
Held Monthly at:
The Hardesty and Rudisill Regional Libraries
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, OR TO SIGN UP FOR A WORKSHOP
Go to: www.tulsa.score.org or Call: (918) 581-7462
Revision #7.4 – 02-03-2014
4