Tax ID from a Graphic Design Business to do a T-Shirt Business?

Do it as DBA

Binki has it right. Just go through your state agency and add the clothing line name as a DBA under your original certificate. You're then good to use the same certificate, bank accounts, etc.

A DBAs purpose is to protect you in case you don't want to use your business name. If you state your business name in conjunction with your brand you shouldn't need a DBA. Example Brand blab bla bla a product of ble ble ble , LLC

Thank you guys for those info. That's exactly what i wanted to do EkthorAstro, so your saying if i got a brand going and called it for example turbomonkey and get a website with turbomoneky.com, i don't need a DBA filed in the state as long as i say Turbomonkey is a product of "My business name"? Does that still work if I'm a sole proprietor or do i need to be an LLC?

Theincrediblesok said:

Thank you guys for those info. That's exactly what i wanted to do EkthorAstro, so your saying if i got a brand going and called it for example turbomonkey and get a website with turbomoneky.com, i don't need a DBA filed in the state as long as i say Turbomonkey is a product of "My business name"? Does that still work if I'm a sole proprietor or do i need to be an LLC?

Click to expand...

The only reason to file a DBA in your state is if you want to do business as "turbomonkey", for example, when you take a CC payment and your customer receipt says Bought at "Turbomonkey".

I have an LLC but we filed a DBA name different than our LLC name. The only way to get away from the requirement to file a DBA is if your name is in the business name, i.e John Smith's T-shirts, etc.

Theincrediblesok said:

Thank you guys for those info. That's exactly what i wanted to do EkthorAstro, so your saying if i got a brand going and called it for example turbomonkey and get a website with turbomoneky.com, i don't need a DBA filed in the state as long as i say Turbomonkey is a product of "My business name"? Does that still work if I'm a sole proprietor or do i need to be an LLC?

Click to expand...

Sorry for taking so long on the reply. In the case of a sole proprietor, it is a bit different. Unless you are using your name as a business name you will need a DBA for you business. A few plausible scenarios in your case are as follow.

A) You can register a DBA for TurboMonkey and the use that in your receipts, in that case you do not need a dba for your website as long as somewhere in your website that the site belongs to TurboMonkey.

B) You can register a dba for whatever business name you want, use turbomonkey as your brand but always make sure you state your business name in your receipt, website, etc.
Example: you register super shirts as your dba but your brand is turbo monkey you will write somewhere in your website that turbo monkey is a brand of super shirts. Also on your label you state the same claim.

Sorry if it is a bit confusing. I just went through this with my brand so if you have any more questions you can pm me.

I am still researching on how i should set up my company. I am hoping to use 2 brand names. My b/f wanted me to go under his company (freight transportation), but i wasn't sure if that's a good idea or legally allowed.
For the LLC parent name, can we use it as a brand name too(put on clothes/name on receipt) or only allowed to be the parent company? Like your only allowed to create a brand under it (Johnson & Johnson "Splenda" and "Listerine" brands)?
@Theincrediblesok were you able to add your t-shirt name under your graphic design one? I prefer to start small since I am a start-up. LLC seems best when i have all the funds to launch a full collection. For now i want to purchase wholesale and qualify for a resellers/wholesale license.

I'm still a little confused on the matter, but the information here is helpful. thanks.

skitten said:

I am still researching on how i should set up my company. I am hoping to use 2 brand names. My b/f wanted me to go under his company (freight transportation), but i wasn't sure if that's a good idea or legally allowed.
For the LLC parent name, can we use it as a brand name too(put on clothes/name on receipt) or only allowed to be the parent company? Like your only allowed to create a brand under it (Johnson & Johnson "Splenda" and "Listerine" brands)?

@Theincrediblesok were you able to add your t-shirt name under your graphic design one? I prefer to start small since I am a start-up. LLC seems best when i have all the funds to launch a full collection. For now i want to purchase wholesale and qualify for a resellers/wholesale license.

I'm still a little confused on the matter, but the information here is helpful. thanks.

Click to expand...

As for starting and placing your company under your b/f's company is not wise nor advisable, even if it's legal.

You have to decide what's important to you, if you start as a sole proprietor, you can apply for purchase under wholesale accounts, but you leave yourself and your business open to liability if you/your company are sued. If you start out as an LLC, its a little more paperwork, although simple, but it will shield your personal assets if someone were to name your company into a potential lawsuit.

You have to also think of the tax implications between the two modes of business too.

ogrisson said:

As for starting and placing your company under your b/f's company is not wise nor advisable, even if it's legal.

You have to decide what's important to you, if you start as a sole proprietor, you can apply for purchase under wholesale accounts, but you leave yourself and your business open to liability if you/your company are sued. If you start out as an LLC, its a little more paperwork, although simple, but it will shield your personal assets if someone were to name your company into a potential lawsuit.

You have to also think of the tax implications between the two modes of business too.

Click to expand...

Yes. My b/f company has a HIGHER risk of being sued than I do. He only operates under 1 business name so I'm not even sure if he can be a parent company. It is an LLC though.
I'm weighing the options based on start-up costs and what I need immediatly to start. I do need to expand later on and I know modifying the company will cost extra. I will have to check with a lawyer on the matter to get a better idea. Thank you for the tips.

skitten said:

I am still researching on how i should set up my company. I am hoping to use 2 brand names. My b/f wanted me to go under his company (freight transportation), but i wasn't sure if that's a good idea or legally allowed.
For the LLC parent name, can we use it as a brand name too(put on clothes/name on receipt) or only allowed to be the parent company? Like your only allowed to create a brand under it (Johnson & Johnson "Splenda" and "Listerine" brands)?

@Theincrediblesok were you able to add your t-shirt name under your graphic design one? I prefer to start small since I am a start-up. LLC seems best when i have all the funds to launch a full collection. For now i want to purchase wholesale and qualify for a resellers/wholesale license.

I'm still a little confused on the matter, but the information here is helpful. thanks.

Click to expand...

The cost of all of this depends upon your state. There is probably a state web site where you can see what it costs and download any forms (or apply online, as you can do in Oregon).

I have an LLC with a federal tax ID number. That LLC owns a few DBAs that do different things so I can present the appropriate brand/name for each line of business without them seeing the connection between the businesses.

I see. I was hoping for another way around it. I've been searching my states site. They list prices/fees but are insanely confusing to understand which one applies to me. I'll just ask my b/f for help with the stuff he remembers.
Thank you for your info. It sounds like @Theincrediblesok and I are in the same boat.