Where to start filing a company name/dba? What is the cheap way?

Question

Where can I get the applications? Where to file? Business Tax ID? any info on how to start will be appreciated.

Answer 1

DBA filings (the technical term, by the way, is "filing a fictitious business name statement") are handled by county clerks. You need to publish your fictitious business name statement in a local newspaper, then get a statement from the newspaper's office saying that the ammouncement appeared in the paper a certain number of times on certain dates, and then take this statement to the county clerk's office and file the statement.

Whether you need business tax ID depends on your organization form. If you are a sole proprietor, you already have a tax ID; it is your Social Security number. If you are a corporation or LLC, you need to obtain TWO tax ID numbers, one (Employer Identification Number, or EIN) from the IRS, another from your state tax authority. You can apply for the EIN online at http://www.irs.gov/ ; many states also have online appications. Nearly all states allow you to apply by phone.

Answer 2

The cheap way is to type your question into google with your state's name and follow a few links. Its not hard to set up a company. You should, however, investigate the different types of company structures - putting John Smith DBA John's Electrical Service does nothing for you at all and serves no real purpose; even most banks will put on your check's John Smith DBA John's Electrical Service, and when you electrocude someone, they'll sue John Smith, and your insurance is in John Smith's name, and the IRS will tax John Smith. On the other hand, if John set's up an LLC or an S-Corp, and then he electrocudes (am I spelling this right?) someone on the job and they sue... they sue the LLC or Corp, and they cannot take away John Smith's home and his boat, etc. etc. Its all about protection of assets. All of the filings and tax 'advantages' are just about putting the right paperwork in order. JS Electrical is its own entity and if that entity electrocudes the kid down the street on accident, its a horrible tragedy, but the kid's parents cannot take anything more than the assets owned by JS Electrical (but not John's vacation home in the mountains.).

Answer 3

It depends how cheap you want to go.
The cheapest and easiest way is go to go to your County Court House and apply for a DBA. They will usually give you one on the spot, and there is no pre-filled out paperwork required. All that you need is your ID, and some cash. In my county it costs about $21 for your DBA. Then you can go the bank and open an account under that name so that you can deposit checks that are made out to your DBA name.

Unfortunately there is no legal protection provided with a DBA. If your company goes into debt or is sewed, you will personally be liable.
For another $300 you go a differnt route and get legal protection. You can form an LLC with your secretary of State. Every state has different rules on that. Check your Secretary of States web site for info on that. With an LLC, you are protected from personal liablity in case your business gets sewed or bankrupt.

I hope that this helps.

Answer 4

Cheapest Online Dba

Answer 5

It depends on a lot of factors. Start Up Costs & Capital (physical location, manufacturing facilities, storage facilities, manufacturing equipment, capital stock, research and development, business license and fees, etc.....); this would determine which would be cheaper. The cheaper of the two will probably be the easier of the two as well, because funding will have to be secured. This is not taking into account government restrictions in the beverage industry: or that the products will have to be distributed somehow.

Answer 6

Depends what state your in--it's usually the secretary's office for the state. You usually have to fill out a simple form, pay a small fee and then they mail you back a d/b/a certificate. If you're a sole proprietorship you don't need a TIN you just need your SSN however if you're going to hire people you need and EIN (employer ID #) both of which you can get for free from the irs (irs.gov) good luck!

Answer 7

For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/awA58

if you really want to start a business you better pick the product / service that makes you happy cause work sucks if you don't love what you do.

Answer 8

Check it out with your state's official state website. They should have all the info you need. It will vary from state to state.