File a DBA “Doing Business As”

DBA meaning: What does DBA stand for? DBA stands for “doing business as,” which is also known as a “trade name” or “fictitious business name” in some states. A company is said to be “doing business as” when it is operating under a business name other than its legal, registered name. For instance, a business owner named Ashleigh Wilson may wish to market, sell, and expand her business under the name “The Cookie Crumb Kitchen.” Filing for a DBA helps accomplish that goal.   Key Features: When a DBA is Used – You should set up a DBA if: 1) You are a sole proprietor operating a business that doesn’t contain your own name, or 2) You formed an LLC and plan to use a name that varies from the name listed on your LLC/Corporation paperwork. A new entity must be set up when the structure of the current entity changes (e.g. sole owner to multiple owners) or when certain specific changes occur within the business structure. If the structure of a business hasn’t changed and the owner wants t