Oklahoma. "Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain". The Cowboy State, home to the World Championship Cow Chip Throw, Will Rogers and Garth Brooks. A state of shocking beauty and a rich Native American heritage, you've seen joy and tragedy, and more tornadoes than any other state can rightly claim.
Oklahoma is also an incredibly rich and diverse state in which to register your small escort business, and in this article you'll find clear step-by-step advice on how to do just that. For more information on why it's vitally important to register your business, refer to our article Don't get busted for tax evasion: Why registering your escort business is the only option.
For more information on these structures within Oklahoma visit the Oklahoma Secretary of State.
For some helpful advice on picking out a business name, visit Business.gov.
Step four: Register your business / business name
Oklahoma is unique in that you can start an account with the Oklahoma Secretary of State and register for almost all forms online. This will (happily) eliminate unnecessary paperwork and give you clear answers to any questions you may have. Guidelines for each business structure are below, but we highly recommend that you submit your name and email address online to create a little business hub for yourself with the state.
The Oklahoma Secretary of State » Business Entity Filing.
Sole Proprietorship:
In Oklahoma you are not required to register your sole proprietorship escort business as a separate business entity: because the business is you, it is not recognized as a separate business and you'll file your business information along with your own personal taxes. You are also not required to register your business name if it is your name. But if you take on a DBA name you'll have to file a Domestic Trade Name Application. You can register and file this application online at the Oklahoma Secretary of State (https://www.sos.ok.gov/corp/filing.aspx).
For more information on if taking on a DBA is a good choice for your business, refer to our article Do I want to be a sole proprietor?
Partnership:
In Oklahoma you must file a partnership agreement with the Secretary of State and register your DBA name with a Domestic Trade Name Application. You can find these forms and register online at the Oklahoma Secretary of State.
Corporation:
To register your escort corporation in Oklahoma you'll have to file Articles of Incorporation with the Oklahoma Secretary of State. Because of the highly intricate nature of outlining your board of directors and allotting shares, it is recommended that you seek the guidance of a business lawyer and accountant. There is a minimum $50 fee for this form, which can be found at the Oklahoma Secretary of State » Downloadable Forms. Online filing and information can be found at the Oklahoma Secretary of State.
LLC:
To register your escort LLC in Oklahoma, you'll need to file your Articles of Organization with the Oklahoma Secretary of State. This form requires a $100 fee and can be found at the Oklahoma Secretary of State. Online filing, registration and information can be found at the Oklahoma Secretary of State.
Step six: Register for your federal and Oklahoma state taxes
There are a few basic types of taxes small businesses in Oklahoma may register for.
- Individual Income Tax: If you're a sole proprietor or LLC, you'll file your business profits/losses in a Schedule EZ form that will go along with your personal income tax 1040 form. For more information go to IRS.gov. More information and online filing in Oklahoma can be found at the Oklahoma Tax Commission » Income Tax.
- Business Taxes: All business structures must pay BAT » Business Activity Tax » in Oklahoma. Rates vary from year to year. For current information and resources visit the Oklahoma Tax Commission » Business Activity Tax.
- Unemployment Insurance: All businesses with employees pay unemployment insurance to safeguard the state's unemployed. More information and online registration can be found at the Oklahoma Employment Security Division.
- Withholding Taxes: Employers must withhold taxes from employees for their personal income taxes on a federal and state level. More information and resources can be found at the Oklahoma Tax Commission.
- Workers Compensation: If you have employees, you'll have to pay Workers' Compensation. Resources for employers can be found at the Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Court.
- Self-Employment Taxes: If you own and operate your business and are not paid as an employee, you'll need to file your own self-employment taxes for social security and Medicaid. This is particularly true for sole proprietorships, general partnerships and LLCs. You can find this Schedule C / 1040 form and get more information at IRS.gov. Get more information at IRS.gov » Self-Employment Tax.
Partnerships, corporations and LLCs can register their business at the Oklahoma Tax Commission.
Step seven: Get necessary licenses and permits
There's no specific "escort license" in Oklahoma, and chances are you won't need any other permits to conduct your escort service, but it's a good idea to run your city through the IRS's Permit Me tool and get more information about specific filing from their site. You can also register your business online with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.
For more information about registering an escort business in Oklahoma, consider the following online destinations:
Find out how to register an escort business in each state of the USA.
Related resources:
Please note: Dating.com is not a legal service, nor are we tax advisors or accountants. We do offer you what we consider our best advice, but if at all in doubt, please consult a professional.
