The Proper Way to File a Maryland DBA

Being a business owner in Maryland? Do you want to manage it using a prospective name? You have an excellent opportunity to acquire a business and to conduct activities of a sole proprietor under the (DBA) name.

The process of obtaining a DBA for any official business is simple, but it requires considering several nuances. In addition, owners should be aware of the rules for using the new name registered. So, we have prepared a step-by-step guide to use the DBAs in the state under the question.

It is essential: the sole proprietor must understand that he will not receive limited liability protection, as is the case with an LLC. There are no restrictions on the number of DBAs in an LLC. You won’t experience any difficulties while doing it yourself. However, the greater the number of additional names, the more difficult it is to keep accounting correctly. Therefore, hiring an LLC website is the very best idea!

Maryland DBA Application Process

The process of applying for a DBA, or “Trade Title” in Maryland is quite simple. The first thing you need to do is do a business entity search here to make sure the name is free.

This gives you the assurance that the name you want to use is not occupied by any entity in your state and is available.

Once you have chosen a DBA title and confirmed it is not occupied, you should create an account with Maryland Business Express. You can then apply to register your DBA name online or offline by printing and submitting the form via mail. When applying to register a trading name, you will need to provide the following information:

• The trade name or DBA;
• Business address (where the DBA will be applied or applied for);
• Address and name of the business owner;
• Business description;
• Signature of the business owner.

After you complete the form, you must enclose a $25 check made out to the “Department of Taxation and Assessments”. Thereafter, you may mail the check and form to this address:

Maryland 21201, Room 801 Baltimore, Charter Division Department of Assessments and Taxation 301 W. Preston Street.

Maryland DBA: The Essence

At the initial stage of doing business, entrepreneurs usually use only one type of economic activity. But in the future, there is a need to diversify risks and expand the company.

So, you have to choose: open a new legal entity or apply to DBA? Sole proprietors and general partnerships may use names that differ from the owner’s name.

Limited liability companies and corporations can use several DBAs at once to have the official registered identification of their activities. Why do Maryland companies acquire DBAs? The answer lies on the surface:

1. Sole proprietorships and partnerships are a guarantee that your company is conducting official activities. A professional company will attract many more potential clients than a company that has just its name. The company can also obtain a bank account using the DBA. This way, you can separate personal assets and business. It will also be more comfortable for customers, as each sole proprietorship prefers to receive invoices in the company’s name.
2. Corporations and LCCs use registered DBAs to use different names within the same trademark. DBA also helps to separate subsidiaries from the parent corporation. For example, this technique is prevalent in the restaurant business. One owner opens several restaurants that are unrelated. Thus, it doesn’t matter what your marketing or accounting goals are! DBAs are advisable in any case, and most importantly, they make doing business very comfortable.

So, DBA in Maryland is the best opportunity for companies to make their image brighter and more recognizable. They can use a variety of tools to express themselves without wasting time on paperwork.

A Maryland DBA Validity Period

In the state of Maryland, the expiration date for “doing business as” name registration, from the time the application is left with the Department of Assessments and Taxation, ends after five years.

The procedure for renewing a personal devised business name at the end of the five years involves reapplying for an extension of validity after six months from the deactivation of the previous application.

Hiring a Professional DBA Filing Service: The Necessity

You do not need to register for a DBA yourself, as there are quite a few companies that provide this service at a professional level. They know all the subtleties. So, you will get a positive result the first time. Of course, their services are not free. They will collect all the documents on their own, and you will only need to provide them with some data. So, it’s up to you to decide what you want: save your time or money.

It is worth noting again that the requirements for obtaining a DBA in Maryland are simple, and many companies fill out the official form online on their own. But if you are still too busy or are afraid to make a mistake, you can turn to LegalZoom, for example. The fees you will have to pay are very fair, and it is worth spending that money!

Final Thoughts

It makes sense to register a DBA when you need to separate several areas of business. Such a solution will make it possible to assess efficiency better, improve the quality of control over certain types of activities.

Rational use of “Doing business as” to promote a new product on the market – allows you to analyze the consumers’ reaction and not spend money on opening a new legal entity. To file a DBA will not cause additional complications.

FAQ Section

Can I get legal protection from the DBA?

– No, you cannot. DBA registration does not provide for the security of business from the point of view of jurisdiction. Personal asset protection is available through a corporation or limited company.

Is there a need for a registered agent when creating a DBA?

– If you acquire the DBA names as a sole proprietor or are a general partnership – you do not need a registered agent. However, companies and limited liability corporations must have a registered agent. The presence of DBA in the latter case does not matter.

Can different companies use the same name?

– A DBA application does not guarantee that your business will have exclusive rights to a fictitious name. The law does not prohibit all interested LLCs or corporations from using your registered name.

Is there a requirement by the State of Maryland to publish the DBA name?

– No, posting in the State of Maryland of the DBA name is not required.