How Much Does it Cost to Register a Fictitious Name in PA?

How much does it cost to register a fictitious name in Pennsylvania? This is likely a question you have if you are beginning a new business or want to grow an existing one. According to the county you are registering in, the answer differs.

A fictional name, commonly referred to as a trade name or doing business as (DBA) name, can be registered easily in most cases. A registration form, fee, and documentation of your company’s legal framework, such as a partnership agreement or articles of incorporation, must be submitted.

Depending on the county, Pennsylvania costs $50 to $70 to register a fictitious name. Your new business name may also need to be announced in a local newspaper, which may incur an additional price in some counties.

The procedure is slightly different if you are registering a fictitious name for an out-of-state company in Virginia. You must submit an Application for Registration of a Foreign Business Entity together with a certificate of good standing from your home state to the Virginia State Corporation Commission. This application will cost you $100.

In Virginia, it is also feasible to domesticate an LLC, or move an LLC’s registration from one state to another. You must submit an Application for Conversion along with a certificate of good standing from the state where your LLC was initially registered to the Virginia State Corporation Commission in order to do this. This application will cost you $100.

In Virginia, LLCs have the option of electing to be taxed as either a corporation or a partnership. You will be subject to Virginia’s 6% corporate income tax rate if you decide to be taxed as a corporation. You won’t have to pay Virginia state income tax on the profits of your company if you elect to be taxed as a partnership, but you will need to file a Virginia Partnership Return.

Which is preferable for your business—an LLC or a sole proprietorship?—really relies on your unique needs and objectives. LLCs provide owners with liability protection and may result in tax savings, but they also involve extra paperwork and formalities. Although sole proprietorships are easier to set up and run, they do not provide liability protection and may not be as appealing to investors.

In conclusion, the cost varies by county but typically is between $50 and $70 for the registration of a fictitious name in Pennsylvania. Both domesticating an LLC and registering an out-of-state business in Virginia cost $100 apiece. The decision between an LLC and a sole proprietorship depends on the particular needs of the firm. In Virginia, LLCs have the option of being taxed as a partnership or corporation.