Deschutes Public Library

Legal and Tax Resources


The resources listed here include books and web sites that will help you with legal and tax questions.

General Legal Resources

Business Laws
Offers general information about a variety of law topics related to small business.  This is a federal web site, so the information is heavily weighted towards federal laws.

Complete Book of Business & Legal Forms
(Reference 658.12 FRASIER -- Bend, Redmond)
(Nonfiction 658.12 FRASIER -- Sisters, Sunriver)
Contains complete legal agreements, useful action letters, and the most popular government forms used in business.

Deschutes County
Access to the main county web page.  Note the direct link for Business along the top of the page.

Employer’s Legal Handbook
(Nonfiction 344.7301 STEINGOLD -- Bend, Redmond)
Shows you how to comply with the most recent workplace laws and regulations, run a safe and fair workplace and avoid lawsuits.  Note that this is not specific to Oregon and you will need to check additional resources for local and regional requirements.

Federal Trade Commission: For Business
The FTC enforces federal consumer protection laws that prevent fraud, deception and unfair business practices.  Refer here for FTC compliance rules and information on purchasing franchises.

FindLaw for Small Business
FindLaw is a premier legal web resource.  The Small Business section will answer many of your legal questions as you start, run, and expand your business.  As you browse through the topics you will find that there are links to state-specific resources.

Legal Guide for Starting & Running a Small Business
(Reference 346.730652 STEINGOLD -- Bend, Redmond)
(Nonfiction 346.730652 STEINGOLD -- Bend, La Pine, Sisters Sunriver)
Good for answering many of the legal questions you're likely to ask in starting and running a business.

Most Valuable Business Legal Forms You’ll Ever Need
(Reference 346.7302 RAY -- Bend, Redmond)
All of the important legal forms you need to save you thousands of dollars in legal fees and protect yourself from liability. Complete with step-by-step instructions, this book gives you the information you need to understand and execute effective and legal business deals.

Nolo, Business & Human Resources
Nolo, a publisher of legal books, software, and forms for over 30 years, provides useful articles and forms for your small business.  Note the main topic selections in the middle of the page - Consulting & Contracting, Starting a Business, Ownership Structures, Making a Profit, Buying or Selling a Business, Nonprofit Organizations, and Human Resources.

SBA, Oregon, Government Regulations & Your Business
Acts as a checklist of the most common requirements that affect small businesses.  It is important to note that regulations vary by industry. Carefully investigate the regulations that affect your industry.

Business Agreements

How to Choose a Legal Structure
Sole proprietorship, LLC, limited partnership?  This site explains the difference between the business structures and helps you decide which is best for your business.

How to Form a Corporation, LLC or Partnership in Oregon
(Reference 346.795 BROWN -- Bend)
Provides general information about business structures.  The last chapter is devoted specifically to requirements in Oregon.

How to Form a Limited Liability Company
(Nonfiction 346.73 WARDA -- Bend, Redmond)
Covers all aspects of limited liability companies from creation to dissolution.

Incorporate Your Business
(Reference 346.73 MANCUSO -- Bend)
Discusses all aspects of incorporation from choosing a legal structure to the formation of the corporation.  Appendix A provides details for incorporating in all 50 states.

Incorporating in Oregon without a Lawyer
(Nonfiction 346.795 BROWN -- Bend, La Pine)
Leads you step-by-step through the incorporating process in Oregon.  Note that you will need to update forms and contact information using the web sites found on this page.

SBA, Forms of Business Ownership
Provides a quick summary including the pros and cons of each type of business structure.

Trademarks, Patents & Copyright

Code of Federal Regulations: Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights
(Reference 346.73 CODE -- Bend)
Text of the federal laws for patents, trademarks and copyrights.

Complete Patent Book
(Reference 346.730486 ROGERS -- Bend, La Pine, Redmond)
Explains what a patent is, why you might need one, what the difference is between patents and trademarks, how to draft specifications and drawings and how to work through the patent process, from writing the application to the licensing of your patent rights.

Trademark: Legal Care for Your Business & Product Name
(Reference 346.730488 ELIAS -- Bend)
(Nonfiction 346.730488 ELIAS -- Bend, Redmond)
Provides information on how to choose distinctive trademarks, conduct a trademark search, and register a trademark.

U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
Provides general information on patents and trademarks, how to apply for them, and access to the patent/trademark databases.

U.S. Copyright Office
Everything you need to know about copyright in the United States.

Legal Codes

Deschutes County Code
Reference 342.958 DESCHUTES
Regulations for Deschutes County.

International Building Code (see also Fire, Mechanical, Electric & Plumbing Codes)
(Reference 692.3 INTERNATIONAL -- Bend, La Pine, Redmond, Sisters, Sunriver)
Codes regulating the construction of buildings.  Note that yellow pages are specific to Oregon.

Oregon Administrative Rules
(Reference 342.795 OREGON -- Bend)
"Rules" are "any agency directive, standard, regulation or statement of general applicability that implements, interprets or prescribes law or policy, or describes the procedure or practice requirements of any agency."  Essentially they are the practical application of the Oregon Revised Statutes by state agencies.

Oregon Revised Statutes
(Reference 342 OREGON -- Bend, La Pine, Redmond, Sisters, Sunriver)
Laws for the state of Oregon.

Taxes

Internal Revenue Service
Main page for the IRS.  Click on Forms and Publications for tax forms and instructions.

IRS, Small Business/Self Employed
Information from the IRS for small businesses. Note the sub-sections for Farmers and Industries/Professions.

Oregon Department of Revenue
Everything you need to know about taxes in Oregon.  Select from the menu at the left for quick access to Common Questions, Publications, and Tax Forms.

RIA Federal Tax Guide
(Reference 336.24 RIA -- Bend)
Offers analysis of federal tax laws for everyday business and personal transactions.  Consult the exhaustive topics index for your area of interest.

Tax and Accounting Sites Directory
Comprehensive index of web-based tax and accounting resources.