Deschutes Public Library

Tax and Legal Resources


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




Tax Resources

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Free Tax Preparation Assistance in Deschutes County
February 2 – April 15th, 2013
www.takecredit.org
Call 541-389-6507
Locations: www.deschutesunitedway.org/take-credit-tax-assistance#Go


Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
www.irs.gov
Online Forms and Publications: www.irs.gov/Forms-&-Pubs
1-800-829-3676 (forms)
1-800-829-1040 (information)
Electronic Filing: www.irs.gov/Filing/Filing-Options
Learn about how to file your Federal tax return electronically, then file online.

Local office:

• 250 NW Franklin, Suite 300, Bend, OR
• 541-388-6739
• Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
• (closed for lunch 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.)
• Services Provided: www.irs.gov/uac/Services-Provided-3
• Direct phone line help: available in lobby office during open hours

Oregon Department of Revenue
www.oregon.gov/DOR/Pages/index.aspx
Forms and Publications: www.oregon.gov/dor/PERTAX/Pages/formspit.aspx

Local office:

• 951 SW Simpson Avenue, Suite 100, Bend, OR
• Hours: Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
• Call 1-800-356-4222 for forms and assistance.

Oregon Department of Revenue, Electronic Filing
www.oregon.gov/dor/eserv/Pages/elect-filing.aspx


Tax Information for All States




General Legal Resources

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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.

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 Forms - Oregon
http://www.deschuteslibrary.org/onlineresources/legalforms.aspx
Provides a wide selection of state-specific (and multi-state) legal forms across the most popular legal areas. Includes real estate contracts, wills, pre-marital agreements, bankruptcy, divorce, landlord tenant and many others. Also included is a comprehensive attorney state directory and a dictionary of legal definitions explained in laymen's language.

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.

Oregon State Bar
http://www.oregonstatebar.org/
The Oregon State Bar offers a variety of programs designed to provide the public with access to legal help. The Lawyer Referral Service provides the public with referrals in all areas of law to Oregon attorneys. The Oregon State Bar also offers the Modest Means Program, a reduced-fee program designed to make legal services accessible to lower and moderate income people who are ineligible for legal aid. Attorneys who accept Modest Means referrals agree to charge no more than $35 for an initial, half-hour consultation, and a reduced rate for any additional services. Currently, the Modest Means Program only includes Family Law, Criminal Defense, Foreclosure and Landlord/Tenant Law.

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.