Can a DBA be a corporation?

A DBA can be almost any name under which you are doing business. You cannot, however, make your DBA a corporate name such as XYZ, Inc. In other words, when filing a DBA you cannot add “Inc.” or “Corp.” to your name to create the impression that your business is a corporation when, in fact, it is not.

Do you have to register your business as a DBA?

Corporations that decide to use a DBA for business are required to register the DBA in every city or county where the business is located. Failure to properly register a corporation’s business name in every city or county where the company operates will result in fines and penalties.

What is the legal name of a DBA?

Learn More →. A DBA (“doing business as”) is also known as a fictitious business name. A corporation’s legal name is established by filing incorporation documents with the secretary or department of state where the business operates.

What’s the difference between a corporation and a DBA?

Oftentimes when someone is just starting a business, they wonder about the advantages and disadvantages of filing as a dba vs corporation. What is a DBA? A DBA, or “doing business as,” is often referred to as a trade name, which can be different than a business’s official name.

How can a corporation be a DBA [ infographic ]?

Can a Corporation Be a DBA? 1 Significance. A corporation that wishes to use a different name from the company’s legal name must file a DBA. 2 Warning. Corporations that decide to use a DBA for business are required to register the DBA in every city or county where the business is located. 3 Filing. 4 Considerations. …

When does a corporation or LLC need a DBA?

The most common case of a corporation or LLC registering a DBA name is when the business wants an alternate name for a specific line of their business. By filing a name for a new branch of the business, the corporation doesn’t have to form a whole new business just to operate under a different name.

Where do I go to register my business as a DBA?

In most states, this means registering the DBA name with the office of the secretary of state or with the county where you formed your business, though some states don’t require DBA registration at all. Below, you’ll find a general guide on the DBA, as well as information about registering a DBA in any state.

Can a DBA be used as a corporate identifier?

The DBA used by a corporation may not contain a corporate identifier in the business name such as “incorporated,” “corporation,” “limited,” or “company.” Furthermore, a corporate identifier may not be used as an abbreviation in the corporation’s DBA.