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As an entrepreneur in Alaska, there’s a lot to contemplate when launching your company. One of the more important decisions you’ll make is which business structure will lead to the greatest success for your venture. The four main types are sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, and limited liability company (LLC).
No matter which structure you choose, you might also consider operating under a “doing business as” (DBA) name. This powerful branding tool allows you to conduct business using a name separate from your formal, registered company name.
It’s important to note that a DBA name is not a requirement, and many businesses operate successfully without adopting one. A DBA name comes in handy in various scenarios, though, whether you’re a company’s sole owner and you want to establish a business identity separate from your personal name or you’re a corporation launching a new product line under a unique name.
Each state has a different approach to regulating DBA names, and Alaska has specific laws regarding how to register and maintain your DBA name. Legal requirements, benefits, and restrictions of adopting a DBA name also vary based on your location.
This comprehensive guide is a useful resource for any business owner in Alaska considering a DBA name. You’ll learn the process for registering and maintaining a DBA name. Read on to learn everything you need to know about DBA names in Alaska.
Essentially, a DBA name is a pseudonym for your business’s full legal name, the one you file with the state of Alaska when forming your company. It isn’t a separate business entity, though. For instance, you won’t owe taxes separately under your DBA name. It’s just another name for the business you’ve already established.
Also, in some states, there are no legal protections that come with assuming a DBA name. However, in Alaska, registering a DBA name gives you exclusive rights to that name for five years.
In Alaska, if you conduct business activities for your organization under a name different from your complete legal name, state regulations require that you register that name as a DBA name. Your state business license should indicate any DBA names you use.
It should be noted that different states sometimes use other names when referencing DBA names. Don’t be confused if you see them referred to as “fictitious business names,” “assumed names,” or “trade names” while researching DBA names. In Alaska, you might hear DBA names referred to as “trade names,” “assumed names,” or “also known as” (AKA). DBA names are a more formal recognition of this pseudonym.
There are two main categories of businesses that tend to seek DBA names:
Since a DBA name doesn’t create a new business entity, alter your tax status, or provide any personal liability protection, you might wonder why you might need a DBA name. Depending on your business needs, though, various benefits come with using a DBA name.
If you’re an Alaska business owner and think a DBA name might be right for you, keep reading. This guide will provide a detailed overview of how to register a DBA name in Alaska.
The biggest reason many business owners use a DBA name is for marketing purposes. When choosing your Alaska DBA name, you need to select a distinctive name that best represents your products or services. You want to choose a name that is memorable for your customers and one that will be impactful.
You’ll also need to follow state guidelines when adopting a DBA name. In Alaska, your DBA name must be distinguishable from any registered corporate business name on record. Before registering your DBA name, do a name search on the state’s lookup tool to see if any business entities are already using your desired name.
Obtaining a business license alone does not protect your DBA name and keep others from using it. In fact, multiple business licenses may be issued under the same name. Only registering a business or corporate name when forming your company gives you the exclusive right to that name. Alaska also dictates that DBA names don’t include any corporate designators, such as “Corporation” or “Limited Liability Company,” or an abbreviation of these words.
To register your DBA name, you must file with the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development’s Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing. The state requires that you fill out a form called the Business Name Registration. This can also be done online.
Here are the steps to take when registering your Alaska DBA name:
A registered Alaska DBA name is valid for five years. This means you’ll need to renew it every five years if you intend to continue operating under that name. It must be renewed between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31 of the year it’s set to expire.
It’s easy enough to renew your DBA name registration. You just need to fill out the Renew Business Name Registration form. You’ll also need to pay the same $25 filing fee every five years.
Some states require advertisement of your DBA name registration in a newspaper or publication in your primary county of business. This isn’t a requirement in Alaska, though.
If you need to change your DBA name, the steps you’ll take will depend on the nature of this update. If you’re changing the DBA name, you’ll need to fill out a new registration form. You’ll also likely need a new business license to reflect this name.
If you decide to terminate your DBA name, you can do so by canceling your business license of the same name. There is no fee associated with filing the form to request inactivation of your business license.
To apply for a DBA or assumed name in Alaska, you need to file a Business Name Registration form with the Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing. There is a $25 filing fee associated with this form. Your DBA name registration is good for five years before you need to renew it again. The renewal fee is also $25.
There could also be other costs associated with adopting a DBA name. For instance, the costs will vary for your initial business registration and license based on the type of business you form. There are also marketing costs associated with your DBA name, including printed materials and a domain name.
The processing time is faster if you file online. It takes longer when you file a hard copy of your form by email or mail.
When you file a paper copy of your Business Name Registration, the standard processing time is 10 to 15 days from March to September. From October to February, expect delays, as processing will take longer than 15 days.
When you form your business, there is no expectation or requirement that you adopt a DBA name. Each business has unique needs that will determine whether an assumed name is beneficial for you.
As a sole proprietor or partnership, a DBA allows you to operate under a name other than your legal name. As a corporation or LLC, a DBA name allows you to condense your formal name by dropping the business signifiers, such as “LLC” or “Corporation,” and streamline your marketing efforts.
In Alaska, if you operate under a name other than your formal business name, you’re legally required to register that name as a DBA.
Once you’ve registered your DBA business name in Alaska, you have exclusive rights to it for five years. No other business can use this name.
It’s important to note that only filing for a business license under the same name doesn’t offer this protection. The name registration is needed. For further brand protection, you can trademark the name when filing it.
Your business can adopt multiple DBA names for different products or services. This could help with establishing distinct brands under the same business.
For instance, a bookseller might operate a brick-and-mortar bookshop that sells new and used titles and an online store that focuses on rare and collectible books. These businesses are related but will likely have different audiences and marketing needs. By obtaining two separate DBA names, this allows them to create a unique brand for each endeavor.
The term “fictitious name” is often synonymous with a DBA name. In Alaska, though, DBA names are also referred to as “assumed names,” “AKA names,” or “trade names.” A DBA name is the more formal name for a business’s pseudonym.
As a sole proprietor, a DBA name is not required in Alaska. Many sole proprietors successfully operate their business under their own name.
You do have the option of establishing a DBA name, though. This helps to separate your business from your personal name. It’s beneficial from a marketing standpoint, too, as you’re promoting a brand rather than yourself.
When registering a DBA name, you aren’t establishing a new business identity. It’s just a marketing tool for your company. This means a DBA name doesn’t alter the way your business is taxed.
As a business owner, you already have a lot on your plate. ZenBusiness can help you manage the red tape and give you valuable tools to start, run, and grow your dream business.
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