A DBA (Doing Business As), which is also known as a fictitious business name, allows individuals and corporation/LLC owners to do business using a different name.

A DBA is registered with the County Clerk of the County where the business is operating. Newspaper publication is also often required.

A DBA can typically be owned by an individual, partnership, corporation, LLC, joint venture or trust.

DBAs do not provide any additional liability protection.

DBAs must typically be re-filed every five years or within forty days of a change of address.

A DBA does not offer any tax benefits and is disregarded for state and federal tax purposes.

The primary advantage of a DBA is simplicity. They are simple to register and are subject to less regulation. DBAs are also not very expensive to form and maintain.

DBAs do not provide liability protection and tax savings.