Oklahoma Sole Proprietorship

How to Become an Oklahoma Sole Proprietor

Starting a sole proprietorship in Oklahoma is simple. There’s no formal setup process or fees involved. To operate one, just start working.

However, even though it’s easy to start, there are some extra steps you might consider. While not strictly necessary, many sole proprietors find them helpful.

DBA Acquisition

A doing business as (DBA) name is a crucial part of many sole proprietorships, as it enables you to use an assumed name for your business, rather than your own personal name. The advantages of acquiring a DBA (which is sometimes referred to as a fictitious name) start with image ― most customers feel that an assumed name is more professional and trustworthy than doing business with a company that uses its owner’s personal name instead.

That said, sole proprietors can sign up for a business bank account using their DBA name, which is another step that goes a long way toward making customers feel more comfortable doing business with you.

To acquire a sole proprietorship fictitious name in Oklahoma, sole proprietors are required to complete a Certificate of Fictitious Name form and file it with the local county clerk’s office of the municipality in which the sole proprietorship does business. Exact forms, requirements and fees will vary slightly from one jurisdiction to the next.

Determine Taxation Requirements

Sole proprietors without employees usually don’t need to acquire a federal tax ID number (EIN), because as a one-person business, you can typically just use your own social security number for most things an EIN is used for. Still, if you would rather not use your SSN for privacy purposes, it would be a good idea to get an EIN regardless.

Beyond that, the nature of your business will determine which taxes apply to you as a sole proprietor.

The most common taxes are sales and use tax; your sole proprietorship will likely be required to pay both depending on what goods and products your business offers. Doing so requires registering with the Oklahoma Tax Commission either online or using OTC Form 40001. Your sole proprietorship may also be liable to withholding taxes or other employer taxes if you have any employees.

Further information on Oklahoma taxes and how to pay them can be found on the Oklahoma Tax Commission website. If researching your business’s tax requirements leaves you feeling confused or uncertain, Oklahoma has put together a series of Taxpayer Assistance Offices and Business Tax Workshops to serve as resources for your sole proprietorship tax needs.

Obtain Business Licenses and Permits

There isn’t a requirement in Oklahoma for sole proprietors to acquire a general business license, but depending on the nature of your business you may need other licenses and/or permits to operate in a compliant fashion.

Most of Oklahoma’s state-issued licenses are industry specific. Your sole proprietorship may be required to obtain several different permits or licenses in order to operate legally.

To determine your sole proprietorship’s licensing requirements, you’ll need to consult the Business Licensing and Operating Requirements page which sorts licensing requirements by business type. It will also provide other additional resources and contact information regarding state permits and licensing.

In addition, you should check to see if your business needs any licenses or permits on the local level.

For example, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Edmond, and Norman all have their own licensing requirements. To ensure your sole proprietorship meets all local licensing requirements, you’ll need to consult your municipalities website or inquire with the county clerk.

What Is an Oklahoma Sole Proprietor?

As opposed to a corporation or limited liability company (LLC), the sole proprietorship is not a legal business entity. The sole proprietorship is a one-person business that is not considered to be a distinct entity from the person who owns it, and it is frequently operated using the owner’s personal name.

Here are the three main things you need to know:

Tax Responsibilities

Because there’s no distinction between the owner and the business itself, sole proprietors don’t need to file business tax returns ― they instead simply claim any business profits or losses on their personal tax returns.

Contracts

Sole proprietors are allowed to sign contracts using their personal name, and along those same lines, customers can write checks to the business by using the sole proprietor’s name.

More Flexible

The other big difference between sole proprietorships and more formal business structures is the fact that sole proprietors are allowed to commingle business and personal assets as much as they want to. With LLCs and corporations, ownership is required to keep their assets separate from those of the company. The downside of this aspect for sole proprietors is that if your business is sued, creditors are free to pursue your personal assets like your house, car, personal bank accounts, etc. For corporations and LLCs, creditors are limited to your business assets.