How to Start a Business

REGISTER YOUR BUSINESS NAME Naming your business is an important branding exercise, but if you choose to name your business as anything other than your own personal name then you’ll need to register it with the appropriate authorities. This process is known as registering your “Doing Business As” (DBA) name. A fictitious name (or assumed name, trade name or DBA name) is a business name that is different from your personal name, the names of your partners or the officially registered name of your LLC or corporation. It’s important to note that when you form a business, the legal name of the business defaults to the name of the person or entity that owns the business, unless you choose to rename it and register it as a DBA name. The legal name of your business is required on all government forms and applications, including your application for employer tax IDs, licenses and permits. What is a “Doing Business As” Name? A DBA is needed in the following scenarios: • Sole Proprietors or Partnerships – If you wish to start a business under anything other than your real name, you’ll need to register a DBA so that you can do business as another name. • Existing Corporations or LLCs – If your business is already set up and you want to do business under a name other than your existing corporation or LLC name, you will need to register a DBA. Note: Not all states require the registering of fictitious business names or DBAs. You must file with the County Assessor/Clerk/ Recorder either by email, mail, in person or through a newspaper. The link to check if your name is available, file a new fictitious business name or refile in Riverside County, is: https://webselfservice.riversideacr.com/ Web/action/ACTIONGROUP224S1. The fee is $66 for How to Register your “Doing Business As” Name Do I Need a “Doing Business As” Name?

the first business name and $2 for each additional business name at the same property or same owner name. REGISTER WITH STATE AGENCIES Register Your Business With State Agencies Some business types require registration with your state government: • A corporation • A nonprofit organization • A limited-liability company or partnership If you establish your business as a sole proprietorship, you won’t need to register your business at the state level. However, many states require sole proprietors to use their own name for the business name unless they formally file another name. This is known as you’re Doing Business As (DBA) name, trade name or a fictitious name. For more information on registering a DBA, visit: https://www.ftb.ca.gov/about-ftb/newsroom/tax news/november-2019/guide-to-dbas.html Your initial choice of a business type is not permanent. You can start out as a sole proprietorship, and if your business grows and your risk of personal liability increases, you can convert your business to an LLC. You will also need to file new documents with your state government, and depending on state and local laws, you may also need to obtain new business licenses. Changing Your Business Type

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