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Does a DBA protect your business name?
Doing business as (DBA) name Registering your DBA name doesn’t provide legal protection by itself, but most states require you to register your DBA if you use one. A DBA lets you conduct business under a different identity from your own personal name or your formal business entity name.
Can I use a business name without registering it?
You can’t legally use any business name until you have registered it as an officially recognized business entity, both with your local state authorities and with the Internal Revenue Service. Becoming recognized as a business by the Internal Revenue Service does not require any special steps or documents.
Do I need a DBA to start a business?
Under California laws, there is no need for a business owner to register a DBA or a fictitious business name so long as the business’ name includes your last name. This is because, under California law, a business name is not a fictitious name if it includes your last name.
Is a DBA the same as registering a business?
Registering and doing business under a DBA name is not the same as forming a business or a business entity. If you register a DBA without first forming as an LLC, corporation, or some other legal entity type, the state you’re doing business in recognizes your business as a sole proprietorship.
Does a DBA need a logo?
A DBA is only going to protect your name. If you want protection for anything else, such as a logo, you will need a trademark.
Can a DBA be a person’s name?
An assumed name is also called a DBA (doing business as) name. Regardless of your form of business—corporation, limited liability company, partnership or sole proprietorship—you need to comply with your state’s assumed name statutes if you do business using any name other than your legal name.
Should I get a DBA for my sole proprietorship?
A DBA is always required in California when a sole proprietor, or any other business entity, wants to operate and sign legal documents under a different name. A DBA would also be necessary if they wanted to choose a completely different name for their company, such as “A1 Auto Repairs,” or “Superior Auto Repairs.”
Can my LLC have a DBA?
A limited liability company can register a DBA, or “doing business as” name and still do business using the official LLC name. A DBA operates much like a personal nickname—you may use your nickname for some purposes and your full legal name for others.
Do I need a DBA for a sole proprietorship?
A DBA is always required in California when a sole proprietor, or any other business entity, wants to operate and sign legal documents under a different name. Many sole proprietors are required to file a DBA in the state of California. The only exception is when the owner’s last name is part of the business name.