How to Start an LLC in Oregon
Oregon is bordered by the Pacific Ocean. It is an extremely geographically diverse and beautiful state, and it is home to the largest living organism on the planet! The state’s economy is driven by timber, agriculture, energy, tourism and technology.
For most business owners, the fastest and easiest way to start a business in Oregon is by creating an Oregon LLC. A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a type of business entity that’s ideal for startups and small- to medium-sized businesses. You get the advantages and protections of larger Oregon corporations but with much simpler rules and regulations.
Briefly, the benefits of starting an Oregon LLC include:
- Separating and limiting your personal liability from your business liability and debts
- Quick and simple filing, management, compliance, regulations and administration of your Oregon LLC
- Easy tax filing and potential advantages for tax treatment
Learn more about the benefits of the LLC business structure here.
Six Quick Steps for Setting up Your Oregon Company
We’ve got lots of useful information on starting a business in OR. On this page you’ll find the basic steps of how to form an Oregon LLC, with more in-depth content throughout the rest of our guide.
First, you need to gather basic information about your LLC, including the names and addresses of the managers or members. The LLC members are typically the people who own and run the business. They are also the ones who can take profits out of the business to pay themselves.
You will need a distinctive and original name for your Oregon LLC that’s not used by any other business in OR. To find out if another company is using your chosen business name, carry out an Oregon business entity name search on the OR Secretary of State website.
There are a few rules you’ll need to follow when choosing an LLC name. You can find out more in our guide to searching for and naming your Oregon LLC.
Learn about Oregon LLC business naming rules.
Every Oregon LLC must have a designated street address. That could be your home address (if you’re running the company from your residence), your company’s office building or any physical address of your preference. The address must be inside the state of Oregon, but it cannot be a P.O. Box.
Every Oregon LLC must have a “Registered Agent.” This is an official position; the Registered Agent is someone who receives official legal and tax correspondence and has responsibility for filing reports with the Oregon Secretary of State.
This position can be filled by you, another manager in the business or a dedicated Registered Agent service. Your Registered Agent must have a physical street address in Oregon and must be present to receive important documents for your company during business hours.
At Incfile, all of our packages include an Oregon Registered Agent service that is free for the first year and just $119 per year afterward. We also have a dashboard where you can log in and easily view any document your Registered Agent has received on your behalf.
Learn more about Oregon Registered Agents.
You will need an EIN to identify your business with the IRS. You use this number when filing and paying taxes or when submitting payroll information and payments for your employees. You can obtain one directly from the IRS, or we can get one for you as part of the Oregon LLC business formation process.
Once you've gathered all the information for your LLC, you’ll need to file a formal document with the Oregon Secretary of State. This document is known as your “Articles of Organization,” and filing the document creates your Oregon LLC. Here’s what is typically included:
- Your business name and address
- Details of your Registered Agent
- Tax closing month
You can file your Oregon Articles of Organization online, mail in a form or have Incfile do it on your behalf. There is a fee to file and start an LLC in Oregon, but you only need to file your Articles of Organization once.
Form your LLC now.
Review Information from the Oregon Secretary of State
The Oregon Secretary of State has plenty of information on forming and running a business in Oregon. Check out additional resources below. These are all the basic steps for forming an LLC in Oregon. You’ll find other useful information below.
Special Types of Oregon LLCs
A regular Oregon LLC is suitable for most business needs, but you also have a few other options to incorporate a special type of LLC.
Some states, including Oregon, allow certain occupations to form “Professional LLCs.” These types of businesses typically have special requirements and licensing. You can find more details on the occupations that the OR Secretary of State allows to form Oregon professional LLCs.
If your business is already operating in another state and expanding to Oregon, you’ll need to form a foreign LLC.
More information on Oregon filing and licensing requirements here.
What to Do After Forming Your Oregon LLC
Want to know your next steps after creating a new LLC in Oregon? We’ve got you covered. Here’s our guide to understanding your ongoing requirements, setting up new bank accounts, protecting your business name, getting accounting in place and more.
Detailed Information for Your Oregon LLC
You’ll find plenty more insight and guidance on the other pages of this guide, including:
Naming Your Oregon LLC
How to search the Oregon business registry of the Secretary of State and find the right name. Includes information on naming rules, fictitious names, reserving an Oregon LLC name and more.
Oregon Registered Agents for LLCs
How to appoint a Registered Agent to your new LLC or change to a different Registered Agent. Includes information on Registered Agent rules and searching for Oregon Registered Agents.
Fees and Requirements for Oregon LLCs
How to understand the various fees you’ll need to pay and the requirements you’ll need to meet for both federal and Oregon rules. Includes details of Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), Oregon and federal business licenses, annual reports and more.
Federal, State, Sales and Other Taxes for Your Oregon LLC
How to understand the various taxes you will need to pay to the federal and Oregon government. Includes details of federal taxes like income and self-employment, and Oregon taxes like sales tax and income tax.
