Filing a DBA in Pennsylvania is a simple process. Read below for answers to your questions about DBAs, plus important details and links. A DBA, also known as a Trade Name, Fictitious Name, or Assumed Name, allows you to conduct business under a name that’s different from your legal business name. This can be advantageous.
Legal Requirements and Process
Pennsylvania law states that business owners need to place two ads in newspapers of general circulation in the county for their DBA name. If there’s only one paper in the area, that’s all you’ll need.
No, you do not need to register your DBA name in Pennsylvania with the IRS. The registration of a DBA is done at the state or local level. However, once your DBA is registered in Pennsylvania, you may need to obtain an EIN from the IRS if your business meets certain requirements.
Who Should Consider a DBA?
Sole proprietors can benefit from using a DBA because it makes the company look more legitimate. LLCs typically file a DBA if they use a business name that isn’t the company’s full legal name. To file for a DBA or fictitious business name in PA, you need to come up with a name first.
Name Availability and Restrictions
- Important Naming Guidelines for Pennsylvania LLCs:
- Is the name available in Pennsylvania?
To check name availability, follow these steps:
- Determine if the desired DBA Name is available in Pennsylvania.
- Ensure that it complies with all relevant Pennsylvania naming requirements.
DBA Cost and Registration
How much does a DBA cost in PA?
Filing a Pennsylvania DBA is a straightforward process. The filing fee to register a Fictitious Name in Pennsylvania is $70, plus the cost of publishing a legal notice.
For LLCs, there are additional costs to consider:
- The one-time filing fee for the LLC Certificate of Organization: $125
- Possible business license fees, depending on industry and location
- Annual Report fee: $7 per year
Registering Your DBA
To register a DBA in Pennsylvania, submit an application with the County Clerk or Register of Wills in the county where the business is located. The application must include the name of the business, the owner’s name, and any other information required by the county.
Searching for a DBA
How do I look up a DBA in PA?
You can request a written search from the Department of State by submitting a letter containing the name and address of the entity to be searched.
Branding and Benefits
Registering a DBA in Pennsylvania, also known as a fictitious name, will help establish your business’s branding. To begin, you should start with a Pennsylvania Fictitious Name Search to ensure the uniqueness of the name.
Changing from a DBA to an LLC
There are several benefits of changing a DBA to an LLC, with the primary one being liability protection. It’s possible to give the LLC one name and set up DBAs for each of the different business lines.
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