Oregon new business checklist (2026)

A free guide from Direct-Me.

Please read this first. This is general information. It is not legal advice. It is not tax advice. Rules change. Most items below show the official page we used and the day we checked it. Items marked “our tip” have no government source. Before you act, check that page or call the agency. For your own situation, talk to a lawyer, an accountant, or the agency.

You filed your business with the Oregon Secretary of State. Good. Now what? Here are the next steps, in plain words.

Part 1: Your first 30 days

1. Get your free EIN from the IRS

2. Know about the federal “BOI” report

  • You may hear you must file a “beneficial ownership” report with FinCEN.
  • FinCEN now says U.S. companies are exempt. A final rule took effect August 14, 2026. Some other government pages have not been updated yet and still say you must file. FinCEN is the federal agency that runs this reporting rule.
  • Companies formed in another country, and registered to do business here, may still have to file.
  • Watch out for scam letters about this report.
  • Source: https://www.fincen.gov/boi (checked 2026-10-08)

3. Know what your state filing does and does not do

4. Using a different name? Register it.

5. Check your city and county

  • Cities and counties may need their own license or permit. They may also have zoning rules.
  • Call your city hall and your county.
  • Source: https://sos.oregon.gov/business/information-center/pages/starting-business.aspx (checked 2026-10-08)
  • Example – Portland and Multnomah County: if you do business in the City of Portland or Multnomah County, you must register for a Revenue Division tax account within 60 days. City code says the form is due within 60 days of starting business in the City. Small businesses may still owe no tax. The City and the County both exempt businesses under a gross receipts limit. Check the limits on the City page. If your sales pass $5 million, a separate Metro business tax may also apply. A sole proprietor who is subject to the Portland or Multnomah County business tax is not liable for that Metro business tax; Metro taxes them through its personal income tax instead. That is on the same page.
  • Sources: https://www.portland.gov/revenue/business-tax (checked 2026-10-08); https://www.portland.gov/code/7/02/510 (checked 2026-10-08); how to register: https://www.portland.gov/revenue/register-tax-account (checked 2026-10-08)

6. Hiring? Register for payroll taxes BEFORE the first paycheck.

7. Hiring? Put up the required work posters.

  • Oregon employers must post certain notices where workers can see them.
  • If you have more than one work site, you generally must post at each one.
  • The posters are free to print from BOLI. They update each year on July 1.
  • Some notices come from other agencies, like workers’ comp.
  • Source: https://www.oregon.gov/boli/employers/pages/required-worksite-postings.aspx (checked 2026-10-08)

8. Do construction work? You need a CCB license first.

  • Oregon law generally says anyone paid to do construction work that improves real property must be licensed. That includes handyman work, roofing, plumbing and electrical. Plumbers and electricians also need their own trade licenses; look up your trade in the Business Xpress License Directory (https://apps.oregon.gov/sos/licensedirectory). Some work is not covered, like gutter cleaning and pressure washing for cleaning. Check the CCB list.
  • The steps:
  • Pick one person to be the Responsible Managing Individual (RMI).
    • The RMI takes 16 hours of pre-license training. Then they pass the Oregon test.
    • If they already passed the NASCLA commercial exam, they skip the 16 hours. They still take the Oregon test.
    • The test costs $60. It has 80 questions. You need 70% to pass.
    • The RMI must be an owner, officer, partner, or employee.
    • The RMI must manage or supervise the construction work.
    • A few endorsements do not need an RMI. Check the CCB page.
  • Pick your endorsement (the kind of work you do).
  • Get a surety bond. The amount depends on your endorsement. Example: $25,000 for a residential general contractor.
  • Get general liability insurance. The amount depends on your endorsement. Example: $500,000 per occurrence for a residential general contractor.
  • Get workers’ comp if you will hire employees.
  • Apply. The CCB says it takes six to eight weeks.
  • Fees: $400 to apply. The license lasts two years. Renewal is $400.
  • Source: https://www.oregon.gov/ccb/pages/ccb%20license.aspx (checked 2026-10-08). The full bond and insurance table for every endorsement is on that page.

9. Insurance: ask an agent

10. Open a business bank account

  • Keep business money apart from your own money.
  • Ask your bank what papers it needs. It may ask for your state filing papers and your EIN.
  • (Our tip. No government source.)

Part 2: Dates to put on your calendar

Your yearly Oregon report (renewal)

Payroll reports (only if you have employees)

Federal estimated taxes (if you expect to owe)

Portland / Multnomah County business tax (if it applies)

Big sellers: Oregon Corporate Activity Tax

CCB license (contractors)

Part 3: Help people find you

These steps are free or cheap. Do them in your first month.

  1. Claim your Google Business Profile. It is free. Search for your business in Google Maps. If it is there, claim it. If not, add it. Then verify it.
  2. Source: https://support.google.com/business/answer/2911778 (checked 2026-10-08)
  3. Make a simple website. One page is fine to start. Say what you do, where you work, and how to reach you. (Our tip. No government source.)
  4. Use the same name, address and phone number everywhere. Use them the same way on your website, your Google profile, and every listing. Small differences can confuse people and search tools. (Our tip. No government source.)
  5. Ask your first customers for a review. Ask right after a good job. Make it easy. Send them the link. (Our tip. No government source.)
  6. Check what AI tools say about you. People sometimes ask AI tools who to hire. Find out if they know your business. You can type your trade and your town into an AI tool and see what comes back. One AI tool is not the whole picture, because each one answers differently. (Our tip. No government source.) Direct-Me does this kind of check.

Direct-Me LLC. General information only, not legal or tax advice. Every item with a source link above was checked on that page on 2026-10-08. Items marked “our tip” are our own advice. Rules can change after that date. Always confirm with the agency.

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