How to File a DBA

1) Select Your State

DBA guidelines and laws vary from state to state. In some cases, you will need to register your DBA with the state government and in others, the county or city government.

Several states require you to register a DBA with more than one level of government. For instance, a general partnership may have to file at the state and county level in one state, while another state may require that same general partnership to file with just the county.

NOTE:You cannot file for a DBA in Kansas, New Mexico, or South Carolina.

Thebest place to begin your DBA filing processis with our simple step-by-step state DBA guides:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• 印第安纳州
• Iowa
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• Washington D.C.
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Step 2) Complete a DBA Name Search

Before you file, you should make sure your name isn't taken by—or too similar to—another registered business in your state. You will also want to make sure your DBA meets your state's naming guidelines. Ourstep-by-step guidesdiscuss this step in detail for your state.

If you need extra help choosing a business name, select your state from the drop-down menu on ourHow to Name a Businessguide.

Need Help Creating a Brand Name and Logo?

如果你需要帮助with a DBA name, try ourbusiness name generator. Then, create a unique logo for your brand with ourfree logo generator.

We recommend securing yourdomain name (URL)for your DBA as soon as possible. By reserving your domain name, you ensure it won't be acquired by another business owner.

Once you reserve a domain name for your DBA, consider setting up abusiness phone systemto help strengthen your customer service and boost credibility. We recommend Phone.com because of its affordable pricing and variety of useful features.Start calling with Phone.com.

Step 3) Register Your DBA with the State

You will need to file your DBA with the state or with the county/city clerk's office depending on your location and business structure,

Several states require you to register a DBA with more than one level of government. For example, a sole proprietorship may have to file at the state and county level in one state, while another state may require that same sole proprietorship to file with just the county.

We show you exactly how to get a DBA in on our state-specificHow to File a DBAguides. You can also read our list of thebest DBA filing services.

A DBA is any name a business operates under that isn't its legal name.In many states, you can operate under a different name as long as you officially register it with the proper city, county, or state agency.

DBAs are used by sole proprietorships, partnerships, 118bet金博宝 s, and corporations for branding purposes. There are two main reasons why you would need a DBA:

• You have a registered formal business entity looking to branch out into new products, services or brands, or to rebrand in general.
• You have an unregistered business such as a sole proprietorship or partnership and would like to operate under a name other than your personal name. This option should only be used by businesses withverylow profit and risk.

A DBA isn't a legal business entity. It is just a name that your business can use instead of its legal name. DBAs must be attached to a business entity.

Some examples of business entities include:

• Sole Proprietorships (not a legal entity)
• General Partnerships
• Limited Liability Companies (118bet金博宝 s)
• For-Profit and Nonprofit Corporations
• Limited Partnerships (LPs)
• Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs)

When you form a business entity such as alimited liability company(118bet金博宝 ),corporation(S corp or C corp),limited partnership(LP),或limited liability partnership(LLP), your business has limited liability protection. Limited liability protection means that if your business is sued, your personal assets are protected.

Sole proprietorshipsandgeneral partnershipslegally operate under the owner's personal name and do NOT have limited liability protection. You can operate under a DBA as a sole proprietor or general partnership but the business will still not have limited liability protection.

DBA vs. 118bet金博宝

Potential business owners sometimes ask what the difference is between an 118bet金博宝 and a DBA. The answer is that an 118bet金博宝 and a DBA are two very different things.

An118bet金博宝 is a business entity type like a corporation or a partnership. It can operate with or without a DBA.

ADBA, on the other hand, is essentially a nickname for a business. It must be attached to a business structure (like an LLC).

TIP:For more details on thedifference between an LLC and a DBA, visit ourDBA vs LLCguide.

DBA Taxes

营业税是维etermined by a business's structure. Each business structure has specific filing requirements set forth by the IRS.

Because a DBA isn’t a business entity, you do not have to file a tax return specifically for a DBA. The income or loss from a DBA is factored into your total tax liability for the business.

That is, if your DBA doesn’t do well and has a loss, those numbers will be calculated within the tax liability for your business.

TIP:For more information onbusiness taxes, visit ourtax guide.

DBA EINs

An EIN (employer identification number) is like a business's Social Security Number. The IRS uses EINs to keep track of a business's tax reporting. Any business with employees must file for an EIN in order to remain compliant with the government.

Because a DBA isnota business entity, there is no such thing as an EIN for a DBA. The business structure that the DBA is attached to, if it has employees, will have an EIN.

TIP:To learn more aboutwhen to use an EIN, read ourWhat is an EINguide.

Branding

Whether your business is a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or corporation, filing a doing business as name can make it easier to create or build a particular brand. If your business offers multiple distinct products or services, registering a DBA can help you highlight and market certain ones in a unique way.

If you’re operating a sole proprietorship or partnership, choosing a doing business as name for your business can make it easier to market your company, helping to attract more customers.

Privacy

Sole proprietorships and general partnerships are required to use their surnames (last names) as their legal name. If your business is a sole proprietorship and you don't want your name in directories, online, or on public record, then it's a good practice to set up a DBA to protect your privacy.

Setting Up Multiple Businesses Under One LLC

Entrepreneurs who want to create several different businesses can do so under one limited liability company (LLC) by creating DBAs for each one.

Banking

Some banks require sole proprietors and general partnerships to have a DBA in order to open a business account. It also adds credibility when you accept payment in the business name that customers expect to see.

Domain Name Availability

Your business name might not be available as a domain name. Some business owner's choose to file a DBA that matches their domain name.

Credibility

Sole proprietors and general partnerships can sometimes gain more credibility with a business name that isn't their own name.