How to start an LLC in Oregon in 2024

Jackie Lam

BLUEPRINT

Updated 8:39 a.m. UTC June 19, 2024

Editorial Note: Blueprint may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured here on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations. Please view our full advertiser disclosure policy.

If you plan to launch a small business in Oregon, consider setting it up as an LLC entity. A handful of benefits come with setting up your business as an LLC, including liability protection for your LLC members and valuable tax savings.

To start your LLC in Oregon, you will need to complete the following eight steps:

Pick a name for your LLC.
Choose a registered agent.
File your articles of organization.
Get an employer identification number (EIN).
Register with the Oregon Department of Revenue.
Create an operating agreement.
Obtain business permits and licenses.
File an annual report.

Featured LLC service offers

ZenBusiness

Learn More

Via ZenBusiness’ website

Free version available

Yes

Lowest published package price

$199

Live chat

Yes: Human

LegalZoom

Learn More

Via LegalZoom’s website

Free version available

Yes

Lowest published package price

$249

Live chat

Yes

Northwest Registered Agent

Learn More

Via Northwest’s website

Free version available

Lowest published package price

$39

Live chat

Yes

8 steps to start an LLC in Oregon

1. Pick a name for your LLC

It’s essential to carefully deliberate and decide on a business name for your LLC. Your business name represents your brand’s messaging, reflects your products and services and will be used in marketing materials. As you brainstorm names, refer to Oregon’s brief naming guidelines to ensure your name is legally acceptable.

Once you’ve narrowed down your options to one name, ensure the name isn’t registered to another Oregon company using the Oregon Secretary of State’s business registry database. In addition, ensure the name is not federally protected against infringement by searching for it in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s search trademark database.

If your chosen name appears in one of these databases, you cannot use it. Choose another name and try again until you land on an available one. You can refer back to Oregon’s naming guidelines for ways you can distinguish your name from similarly named businesses.

Once you have chosen an available name, if you are not ready to submit your LLC articles of organization, it is a good idea to reserve the name to keep other businesses from taking it. You can reserve your business name for 120 days using an application for name reservation. The filing fee is $100. If you would like a confirmation copy, you can pay an additional $5.

2. Choose a registered agent

Your Oregon LLC is required to appoint and maintain a registered agent. A registered agent is an in-between party that receives and passes along official government and legal correspondence — think formal financial, legal and other business notices from the IRS and Oregon Secretary of State — on your business’s behalf.

Some companies choose to outsource the role due to its burdensome responsibilities and the risk posed to the company if the role is carried out incorrectly. If you decide to hire a third party, check out our best registered agent services list to find the right provider for your LLC’s needs.

3. File your articles of organization

With a name and registered agent picked out, you are ready to file your LLC articles of organization. This form is used to legally establish your business in the state of Oregon. To file this form, create an Oregon Secretary of State business registry account, then follow the prompts to fill out the form and submit a $100 filing fee.

Once you’ve registered your LLC with the Oregon Secretary of State, you can request an LLC certificate of existence, equivalent to a certificate of good standing. Businesses use these to prove their good standing for such business tasks as defending their members’ limited liability protection, obtaining a business loan and expanding to other states.

The fastest and easiest route to obtain your certificate is by logging into your Oregon business registry account. If you request one online, you will receive your certificate within minutes. There’s a $10 filing fee to get your certificate of existence.

New LLC reporting requirement alert

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has implemented a new reporting requirement for all non-exempt LLCs starting on January 1, 2024.

The requirement is called the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report and it is estimated to only take about 20 minutes to complete.

Here’s what you need to know:

LLCs formed before January 1, 2024 have until January 1, 2025 to file.

LLCs formed between January 1, 2024 and January 1, 2025 have 90 days to file from the confirmed date of the businesses’ registration.

New LLCs formed after January 1, 2025 will have 30 days to file from the confirmed date of formation.

For all details, FAQs and to file, visit FinCEN’s BOI website.

4. Get an EIN

An employer identification number (EIN) allows the IRS to identify your small business for tax filing purposes. You will need it to complete key business tasks, like hiring employees, opening an LLC bank account, obtaining business funding and applying for required business licenses.

You can easily apply for an EIN for free from Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST on the IRS website. Once you apply, you’ll receive your EIN right away on a confirmation page. Print a copy and stash it in a safe place for your records.

5. Register with the Oregon Department of Revenue

If you plan on hiring employees for your business, you’ll need an Oregon business identification number (BIN). It is similar to an EIN but is issued for tax administration purposes at the state level. It’s needed to put your employees on the payroll and pay Oregon payroll taxes.

You can directly register and apply for a BIN on the Oregon Department of Revenue’s online portal.

You can also apply for other business tax accounts using this portal, including:

A bicycle excise tax account for bicycle retailers.
An equipment rental tax account for heavy equipment rental companies.
A high hazard oil train tax account for companies that transport oil by rail in Oregon.
A PTE_Elective tax account for pass-through entities.
A vehicle privilege tax account for dealers selling new vehicles.
A vehicle use tax account for out-of-state dealers selling new vehicles to Oregon citizens or residents.

*Oregon revenue online state business tax registration form*.

Read our state tax ID guide to learn more about state taxes, state tax IDs and how to register for them.

6. Create an operating agreement

An operating agreement is an operational and procedural blueprint for your business. It lays out your LLC’s operating procedures and its members’ powers, responsibilities, rights and protections. It’s used to defend the LLC and its members’ limited liability protection in court, resolve or prevent member disputes that could otherwise lead to the LLCs dissolution, override state LLC operating rules that contradict the LLC’s best interests and complete business tasks like engaging investors.

7. Obtain business permits and licenses

Depending on the nature of your business, you may be required to get a business license or permit at the city, county or state level. Oregon offers a license directory to help you learn your licensing and permit requirements.

Once you access the directory page, use the license search bar to look up your company type by keyword (construction or real estate, for example). The system will generate a list of information about licenses or permits your business may need based on your keyword and how to connect with state, city or county agencies to learn more and apply.

Depending on your location, cities and counties within Oregon may also require you to obtain permits or licenses. You must check with your city and county government to find out.

We know that weeding through local and state resources to find relevant licenses and permits for your business can be tedious. So, we’ve created a business licensing guide to help you navigate this step.

8. File an annual report

As an Oregon LLC, you need to file an LLC annual report with the Oregon Secretary of State. It’s due on the anniversary date of when you set up your LLC. So, if your official filing date is November 11, your annual report is due by November 11 each year. You can file online for $100 through the Oregon Secretary of State portal.

Featured LLC service offers

ZenBusiness

Learn More

Via ZenBusiness’ website

Free version available

Yes

Lowest published package price

$199

Live chat

Yes: Human

LegalZoom

Learn More

Via LegalZoom’s website

Free version available

Yes

Lowest published package price

$249

Live chat

Yes

Northwest Registered Agent

Learn More

Via Northwest’s website

Free version available

Lowest published package price

$39

Live chat

Yes

Find the best LLC services for Oregon: Best LLC services of 2024

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

No, you cannot set up an LLC for free in Oregon. You’ll need to pay a $100 filing fee when you submit your LLC articles of organization. Other fees may include hiring a registered agent service ($0 to $300 annually), filing your LLC annual report ($100), reserving your business name ($100) or consulting with a business attorney (varies).

To learn more, read our costs to start an LLC guide.

Oregon LLCs are pass-through entities. This means the LLC itself does not pay income taxes; instead, those taxes are passed through the entity to be reported and paid on members’ personal income tax returns. Members must often pay these taxes through quarterly installments throughout the year based on their tax estimate.

However, LLCs in Oregon may have to pay other taxes depending on the nature of their operations. For example, bicycle retailers and oil transporters may have to pay additional taxes to operate their businesses in Oregon. Check with the Oregon Department of Revenue to find out what tax accounts your LLC must register for and work with a tax consultant to ensure your LLC remains compliant with its tax obligations.

LLCs operating in Oregon are required to have a registered agent. The registered agent can be you, an individual or a business with a physical address in the state. Many small businesses outsource this often burdensome role to registered agent service providers.

Yes, LLCs in Oregon are required to file an annual report on the Oregon Secretary of State website. The annual due date falls on the date you first formed your LLC and the filing fee is $100.

Dissolving an LLC in Oregon is a multi-step process. First, review your operating agreement and follow its instructions on your LLC’s dissolution. Then, file an article of dissolution – limited liability company form and pay the $100 filing fee. Other steps involve filing a business change in status form with the Oregon Department of Revenue (if your LLC employed workers). You’ll also need to pay any outstanding taxes or debts your business owes.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Jackie Lam

BLUEPRINT

Jackie Lam has covered personal finance for nearly a decade. Her work has appeared in TIME, CNET, BuzzFeed, Salon.com, Forbes Advisor, and others. As an AFC® financial coach and educator, she is committed to helping self-employed creatives and artists with their money.

Alana Rudder

BLUEPRINT

Alana is the deputy editor for USA Today Blueprint's small business team. She has served as a technology and marketing SME for countless businesses, from startups to leading tech firms — including Adobe and Workfusion. She has zealously shared her expertise with small businesses — including via Forbes Advisor and Fit Small Business — to help them compete for market share. She covers technologies pertaining to payroll and payment processing, online security, customer relationship management, accounting, human resources, marketing, project management, resource planning, customer data management and how small businesses can use process automation, AI and ML to more easily meet their goals. Alana has an MBA from Excelsior University.