When you start a new business in Rhode Island, you are required to choose a legal name for your company. But what if you want to operate under a name that’s different than your company’s legal name? In this case, the best thing to do is file for a “Doing Business As” (DBA).
But what is a DBA, and why is it important to get one before you begin operating under a different name? What are the scenarios where it might be beneficial to have a DBA, and how do you get one in Rhode Island? In this ultimate guide on how to file a DBA in Rhode Island, we will answer all of these questions!
A DBA (also known as an “assumed name” or “fictitious name”) simply allows your business to operate under a name that is different than its legal business name. By filing for a DBA, you can use your new business name in your marketing materials, use it to do things like invoice customers or open a business bank account, and use it for any number of other business activities. All the while, you are also completely free to continue using your legal business name; a DBA doesn’t replace your legal business name, it just gives you an additional name to use as well.
There are a lot of different reasons why business owners in Rhode Island might want to get a DBA. Many companies file for a DBA when they are expanding into new markets or creating a new product line. For example, if a company named “Joe’s Boat Repair” wanted to start selling boats in addition to repairing them, it might file for a DBA called “Joe’s Boat Emporium” to reflect this change.
Other times, businesses will file for a DBA if they are rebranding or trying to appeal to a specific market segment. For example, if a tree removal company has numerous locations in different cities in Rhode Island, it could file a DBA for each city so it can use names like “Providence Tree Removal” and “Cranston Tree Removal” to appeal to customers in those areas.
Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that all types of businesses can file for a DBA. This includes partnerships, LLCs, corporations, and sole proprietorships.
A DBA lets you create a new public identity for your company without having to change anything else about the company or form a new one. As we covered in the previous section, there are plenty of different scenarios where this can be beneficial to businesses.
Another benefit of a DBA is that, in certain cases, you don’t even need an EIN to file for one. Sole proprietorships and single-member LLCs without employees are not required to have an EIN, and that means they don’t need one to obtain a DBA either.
There aren’t a lot of disadvantages to obtaining a DBA, as long as you understand what they are and what they do and don’t provide. One thing that’s important to keep in mind is that a DBA doesn’t provide you with personal liability protection like an LLC or corporation does. That’s why most Rhode Island business owners are better off forming an LLC or corporation instead of operating as a sole proprietor with a DBA.
The only other real drawback of DBAs is that they can sometimes be confusing to customers. If your company operates under numerous different names, you may have a hard time building brand awareness. If you’re going to file for a DBA, it’s important to use the new name strategically in ways that will benefit your marketing efforts rather than holding them back.
What you call your business may not seem like a very big deal, but the reality is that you should never start using a new business name unless you’ve filed for a DBA. Operating under a name that’s different than your legal business name without first obtaining a DBA can land businesses in hot water with the state of Rhode Island. In some cases, it can lead to hefty fines and potentially business closure.
Many business owners have questions about how filing for a DBA will affect their tax status. The answer, however, is that it won’t affect it at all. A DBA only changes the name of your company ( or, more accurately, provides you with an additional name to use). It doesn’t change how it’s structured or how it’s taxed.
Feel like a DBA is the right choice for your Rhode Island business? here are the steps you can follow to obtain one:
The first thing you’ll need to do is choose the new name you want to use. While there are a lot of important factors that go into this decision, one thing to keep in mind is Rhode Island’s naming requirements.
First of all, your business name must be unique and cannot be currently in use by any other business in the state. This requirement applies to both legal business names and DBAs.
Secondly, there are certain words that business names cannot contain unless they accurately reflect the business. For example, you can’t use the word “LLC” in your name unless your company is actually an LLC. You also can’t use words like “bank” or “insurance” unless your business is licensed to operate in those industries.
One of the requirements for business names in Rhode Island is that they have to be unique, but how do you make sure no other business in the state is using the name you want? The easiest way is to use the business search tool provided by the Rhode Island Secretary of State. All you have to do is search for the name you want to use as your DBA, and if no other businesses show up in results then you can assume that the name is available.
Once you’ve chosen the name you’d like to use as your DBA and confirmed that it’s available, here are the steps you can take to register your DBA with the state of Rhode Island:
Make sure you have all the information you will need to fill out the DBA registration form. This includes things like your legal business name, the DBA you want to use, your business address, owners’ names and contact information, and the business type. All of this information will be required to complete the form.
To file for a DBA in Rhode Island, you need to complete a Fictitious Business Name Statement form and submit it to the Rhode Island Secretary of State. You can submit this form by mail, or you can submit it online by creating an account on the Rhode Island Secretary of State website. Once you’ve created an account (or if you already have one) you can log in and follow the instructions to add a Fictitious Business Name.
When you submit the Fictitious Business Name Statement form, you’ll be required to pay a filing fee of $50. This fee can be paid via check if you are filing by mail or by credit/debit card if you are filing online. If you want, you can also file and pay the fee in person by visiting the Business Services Division office in Providence, RI.
Rhode Island lets businesses file for a DBA either online or by mail, and you can choose whichever option is most convenient for you. Just keep in mind that mailed filings tend to take a little longer to process than applications that are filed online.
If you’d like to create a new public identity for your Rhode Island business, filing for a DBA is the way to go. Whether you’re entering a rebrand, launching a new branch of your company, or doing anything else that might require a new business name, you can follow the steps in this guide to obtain your Rhode Island DBA in a way that’s quick and easy.
No, filing for a DBA is completely optional for Rhode Island businesses. You are free to operate using just your legal business name if that’s the only name you want to use. However, if you plan to conduct business under any other name, then filing for a DBA is a necessity.
This portion of our website is for informational purposes only. Tailor Brands is not a law firm, and none of the information on this website constitutes or is intended to convey legal advice. All statements, opinions, recommendations, and conclusions are solely the expression of the author and provided on an as-is basis. Accordingly, Tailor Brands is not responsible for the information and/or its accuracy or completeness. It also does not indicate any affiliation between Tailor Brands and any other brands, services or logos.
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