What is the definition of DBA? This guide provides all of the information you need on the acronym DBA, like its definition, how to use it, and more!
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Kevin
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February 6, 2022
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Common Questions
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What Does DBA Stand For?
There are so many types of business and business jargon, like an LLC (limited liability company), C corporation, S corporation, general partnerships. or sole proprietor/sole proprietorship. According to academic sources, the abbreviation DBA stands for “doing business as.”
This is used in business to refer to a company’s trade name, assumed name, or fictitious name. If you choose not to connect your name to your business and instead operate as a DBA, this can prevent legal ramifications from coming back to you as an individual. It can keep you separate from the business. This can also be useful in case of bankruptcy.
It can be a good idea for the business owner to create a DBA name for their business entity that is separate from their legal name or personal name. It is also separate from your SSN (social security number) and instead uses an EIN (Employer Identification Number or Federal Tax ID Number). There are certain legal protections that this business structure provides to an individual when they undergo DBA registration.
If you do business as an individual, there are some risks involved. If the company goes bankrupt, you go bankrupt. If there is legal action taken against your business, that means there is legal action taken against you as an individual.
While this may not seem like a big deal, especially if you are the sole employee of your company, it can be dangerous. If you do not operate under a different name, this can affect things like your personal credit score, tax information, legal ramifications, and more.
What Type of Business Needs a DBA?
There are several kinds of businesses that should have a DBA and some that do not need one. It is recommended to use a DBA for businesses like a sole proprietorship and a franchise. While S corporations and C corporations, along with limited partnerships and LLC, don’t need a DBA name, they still have the option to do so.
Sometimes, corporations or LLCs will register a DBA name when they are opening a subsidiary or a new line of business. However, the name of your business may not be different from the LLC name, for example.
How Do You Register a DBA?
In order to register a DBA name, you will have to deal with the government. Often, the county clerk’s office requires a cashier’s check or money order to pay a filing fee, as well as submit incorporation documents or other paperwork. Sometimes, you will need to place an ad in a local newspaper with the fictitious business name or a different name for registering purposes to show that you gave “public notice” of the business.
Sometimes, you can file for a DBA online. However, some states and counties will want specially notarized documents. Often, states require a renewal after a certain amount of time. It is not good to let your DBA registration lapse, as it can lead to fees or bad business.
You also might need to re-file a new DBA if the information of the business changes. This could include a change in officers, members, or partners, or other crucial information that has changed. You usually do not need a business attorney to file a DBA, which makes it easy.
What Are Other Meanings of DBA?
According to The Free Dictionary, DBA has other meanings besides “doing business as.” Make sure to think about the context DBA is being used in before assuming its meaning.
- Database Analyst
- Digital Broadcasting Australia
- Dibenzylidene Acetone
- Doing Business as
- Decibel Adjusted (human ear, also dB(a))
- Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation (ISDN)
- Differently-Abled Business Association (Portland, OR)
- Department of Business Administration (various schools)
- Dumb But Adorable
- Doppelbesteuerungsabkommen (German: Double Taxation Agreement)
- Dynamic Bandwidth Assignment
- Date Book Archive
- Design Basis Accident
- Database Object API
- Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation
- Developer and Database Administrator
- Danish Beekeepers’ Association (Danmarks Biavlerforening)
- Data Block Address
- Doctor of Business Administration
- De Bellis Antiquitatis (miniatures wargaming rules)
- Dominant Battlefield Awareness
- Downtown Business Alliance
- Deformed Bar Anchor
- Dual-Band Antenna
- Database Architect
- Don Bosco Academy (Philippines)
- Diffusion Binding Assay
- Dentine Bonding Adhesive (dentistry)
- Digital Broadcast Audio
- Database Analyst
- Dragon Battleaxe (gaming, Runescape weapon)
- Database Administration
- Davis-Bacon Act of 1931
- David Begg Associates (UK)
- Don’t Bother Asking
- Database Administrator
- Dominant Battlespace Awareness
- Downtown Business Association
- Diode Box Assembly
- Distance Based Approach (software reliability)
- Design Business Association
- Dilute Brown Non-Agouti (laboratory mouse)
- Department of Business Assistance (Virginia, USA)
- Deutsche Ba (German airline)
- Decibels (Acoustic)
- Discussion Board Assignment (various schools)
- Database Administrator
- Desk Based Assessment (archaeology; UK)
- Daytime Broadcasters Association
- Dirtbag Airman (military slang)
- Décibel Pondéré A (French: Weighted Decibel)
- Davis Business Alliance (Utah)
- Dynamic Beam Attenuator (electronics)
- Deaf Basketball Association
- Dollar Bill Acceptors
- Défi Belgique Afrique (French: Belgian Africa Challenge; Belgium)
- Dorset Business Awards
- Découpe Béton Armé (French: Cut Reinforced Concrete)
- Defense Base Act
- Design Basis Aircraft
- Dibasic Esters
- Database Access
- De Bonis Asportatis (Latin: Carrying Away Goods; legal)
- Design-Based Analysis
- Downtown Berkeley Association (Berkeley, CA)
- Diamond-Blackfan Anemia
- Downtown Bolivar Association (Bolivar, MO)
- Directory of British Associations
- Deductions, Benefits and Accruals
- Direct Budget Authority
- Defence Bills Agency (UK)
- Don’t Be Afraid (Information Society album)
- Dual Brake Assist
Conclusion
The abbreviation DBA stands for doing business as. This is a business entity name of a legal business name that small business owners use to separate their lines of business and make sure that they exist as a separate legal entity from their business.
This ensures that the individual stays in good standing financially and protects their personal assets even if the business fails.
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