If you intend to conduct business in Michigan, you might be asking whether you must file for DBA (doing business as) name registration. The answer is not simple, but in general, you must register a DBA with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) if you want to conduct business under a name that is distinct from your legal name or the name of your current business entity. How can I register my business to do business in Michigan?
You must first register your business with LARA before you can register a DBA in Michigan. Depending on the kind of business structure you select, filing Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization is part of the process to register a business in Michigan. Depending on the type of corporation you select, the cost to register a business in Michigan varies, but it often falls between $50 and $100.
You can register your DBA name once you have registered your business with LARA. You must submit a Certificate of Assumed Name to LARA in order to accomplish this. In Michigan, registering a DBA costs $10. Additionally, for three consecutive weeks, you must post a notice of your DBA name in a local newspaper. You must submit an Affidavit of Publication to LARA following the publication of the notice. What’s better, an LLC or a DBA? Your company’s needs and objectives will determine whether you should choose an LLC or a DBA. A DBA offers no liability protection because it is not a legal entity. It is merely a method for carrying on business under another name. An LLC can be a preferable option if you wish to shield your private assets from company responsibilities. An LLC is a distinct legal entity that offers its owners limited liability protection. However, compared to a DBA, an LLC takes more paperwork and costs more money.
Depending on the kind of corporation you select, different business names in Michigan cost different amounts to register. In Michigan, creating an LLC costs $50, whereas registering a corporation costs $60. In Michigan, registering a DBA costs $10. You could also need to pay for other costs including legal fees, accounting fees, and company insurance in addition to the registration fees.
In conclusion, you must register a DBA with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) if you want to conduct business under a name that differs from your legal name or the name of your current business entity. In order to achieve this, you must first register your company with LARA before submitting a Certificate of Assumed Name. In Michigan, registering a DBA costs $10. An LLC can be a preferable option if you wish to safeguard your personal assets from business responsibilities even though a DBA is a straightforward and affordable way to conduct business under a different name.
An LLC may be liable to greater taxes and fees than other business arrangements, such as a sole proprietorship or partnership, which is one potential drawback. Additionally, LLCs might need extra documentation and formalities to keep up with state rules.