DBA for S Corporations
An S corp. needs a DBA any time it does business under a name other than the name legally registered to it. Most states require filing a DBA with a government agency, and some require publication of the DBA in an approved newspaper as well, to provide legal notice.
Can an S Corp have multiple DBAs?
Yes, it is possible for an LLC to operate under more than one DBA at a time. A company named ABC Investment LLC can have DBAs like ABC Wealth Management and ABC Real Estate to expand without new entities.
Managing DBAs
How do you remove a DBA from a corporation?
- Contact the local or state office where you registered your DBA.
- Submit paperwork and pay fees to cancel.
- Repeat to cancel in multiple jurisdictions.
Can you have two DBAs under one EIN?
A company can use one EIN for multiple units with DBAs. The units can’t be separate legal businesses. You can have multiple DBAs under a sole proprietorship or one corporation.
Steps to Add a DBA:
- Check state rules.
- Ensure name availability.
- Follow naming rules.
- File registration paperwork.
Inquiries About EIN and DBA:
- Include your EIN number when asking to add a business name.
- Apply online for multiple EINs fastest.
- An EIN is never reused or reassigned.
The requirements to add a DBA to an S corp vary by state. S corps often use DBAs to distinguish parts of their business.
Legal Considerations
A DBA is not a separate legal entity from an S corp. If the DBA is sued, the S corp’s assets could be taken. For protection, legally form separate companies.
Federal Tax Status
An S corp is a federal tax status, not an entity that can do business. Register your DBA if using a made-up name.