What is a DBA Title or Doing Business As?

What’s in a name? The names you use for your business can communicate so much about who you are and what you do, and customers can use your name to share with others and spread the word. 

Choosing a name for your business is a relatively straightforward decision, but it can have a significant impact on many different aspects of your business.  

Choosing a legal name for your company is also a permanent decision. Once you’ve named your business entity, you can’t rename it without creating a new entity. However, that doesn’t mean you’re entirely stuck with a name. This is where you might want to consider a DBA. 

What is a DBA?

A DBA, or “doing business as,” is an alternate title or assumed name different from the legal name of your business entity. You have to file the appropriate paperwork to use a trade name like this to ensure you’re not misleading customers. 

Suppose you’re an independent small business owner who hasn’t filed an official legal name for your company. In that case, your sole proprietorship or partnership has no legal name except your personal name. 

If you organized your business officially with your state secretary of state, then your company’s legal name is the full title used for that process. To use any other names than these, you must proceed with a DBA filing.

DBA vs. LLC 

DBAs are often confused with LLCs. So, what are the differences between a DBA and an LLC or a limited liability company? 

While both allow you to operate your business under a different name, the similarities end there—one offers liability protection, and the other does not.

An LLC is created as a separate legal entity from the business owner, creating a financial divide between their personal assets and the companies. Because it's a separate entity, it protects the owner's personal assets from the company's debts.

A DBA is essentially the nickname or an “aka” of your existing business, while a limited liability company is a business structure. Thus, a limited liability company has legal protection that a DBA does not. 

DBAs also don't ensure name exclusivity. If you have an LLC, other businesses in the same state cannot have the same name as your business. But neither gives the same level of trademark protection as a federally registered trademark. 

Franchise business owners commonly use DBAs. For example, a McDonald's franchise owner can legally register their title company under their LLC name but use a DBA to operate and market under the McDonald's brand. 

Why Use a DBA?

There are many reasons you might find it worthwhile to use a DBA. It can be helpful for marketing and building your brand, especially if your business name would otherwise just be your name or something else more formal sounding. Sole proprietors may even be required to use a DBA in some instances. 

There are a lot of restrictions on official business names that don’t affect DBAs, so a fictitious presumed name for your business can also give you a chance to use the business name you really wanted from the beginning.

DBAs can also be an effective way of running multiple business operations under the same corporate umbrella. You might have different names you use for customizing and targeting your brand for different audiences.  

What a DBA is Not

A DBA is not another official title for your legal entity. You can conduct business under your DBA, but your official documents and accounts should still include your legal title. Filing a trade name does not create another business or company. It simply allows an already existing entity to publicly operate under a different name. 

Choosing Your DBA Name

When picking a Doing Business As name, you can zero in on the question of branding. You want a name that will invite customer interest and communicate some of the key values or features of your company and products. 

What will customers think when they first encounter your trade name? You may be legally allowed to have a DBA close to another company’s name, but you don’t want your name to be confusing. 

Finding a unique brand name and (normal-looking) domain to go with it can be a bit of a time-sink for new business owners. This free tool from Business Name Zone generates name and domain combos for you based on your input – and it only takes a few minutes.

Who Needs a DBA?

Every company that wants to do business under a different name will need a DBA. However, many independent small business owners will legally require a DBA just for the essentials. 

If you are the sole proprietor of your company, and therefore you yourself are the sole legal entity responsible for your business, then getting a DBA may end up being another important registration and ID you’ll need for starting your business and getting set up. It’s required for several business operations: 

Many banks require sole proprietors to use a DBA for opening a business bank account.

Some contractors will need a DBA to bid for projects.

If you want to name your store or service anything other than your own name, you must file a DBA to associate that name with yourself. 

DBA Protections

The government requires you to officially file any DBAs you use for the purpose of consumer protection. If something happens and a person is harmed in any way by a company, but they only know the business by their DBA, they must be able to find a public record for tracking the DBA back to the entity responsible for that harm. 

Without these records, a fraudulent person or business could disguise their name with a DBA, which couldn’t be traced back to them. However, the DBA can still be very beneficial to the business owner as well. 

Using an assumed name for your business other than your own name can give you a little more anonymity as a private individual. However, anyone who’s interested should be able to find your name linked to your company. The DBA does not offer you any legal protections as a small business owner, but it’s still a valuable tool.  

Advantages of a DBA

Easy and inexpensive to file 

Helpful for marketing and establishing a brand identity

Multiple businesses may be able to use the same DBA

You can use multiple DBAs to market different product lines to different audiences

Sole proprietors may need it for opening a bank account and more

Disadvantages of a DBA 

Doesn’t offer the business owner any legal protection

Must still be clearly and publicly linked to the name of your legal entity

Usually requires paying a small fee to your state

Must be filed separately for each state you do business in 

Reporting taxes and other official paperwork will still need to use your official name

How to File for a DBA: 5 Steps

Filing for a DBA will look a little different from state to state, but the basic process should be the same. 

1. Prepare Your Business Information

Have you started your business already? In order to file a DBA, you will need the legal name of your company and the proper identification numbers. You can apply for employer ID numbers from the IRS, which will also be used for tax purposes. States may or may not require a separate number. 

2. File Your DBA

Once you’ve chosen your fictitious name, you should find and fill out the proper paperwork to register it. You will do this through the office of the secretary of the state in each state you’ll be operating in. Some states will let you register online, while others will require going in person to speak to a clerk. 

3. Pay the Fee

Along with your paperwork, you will usually be required to pay a fee, which may range from $10 to $100. This pays for creating the public record attesting to your company’s use of each DBA name. 

4. Publicize Your New Name 

Some states and local governments may require you to post public announcements about this new DBA name in local newspapers. Find out what your local authority requires and how long you need to advertise. Beyond legal requirements, this is also a good opportunity to start putting your alternative business title out there in front of public audiences. 

5. Consider Filing a Trademark 

Now that you have a new brand name you’re using, you might want to consider legally protecting that name by filing a trademark application with the U.S. Patent Office. 

What to Know About Paying Taxes as a DBA

While you can use your DBA title for most of your everyday business, you can’t use it to pay taxes. When filling out your tax return and other important state and federal paperwork, you will still need to use your original name, as that is the legal name for your company. 

Work With Business Experts

If you’re unsure how to proceed, or you want to consult with an expert about starting your business, seek out accounting services from professionals. An accountant can guide you through the start-up entity formation process for your new business, from choosing a name and a DBA to putting together your complete business plan. We can also assist you with business tax planning or filing.