[Fat Tire]

I was thinking of creating a very generic name for the LLC I create, and then get a DBA as the URL to my tshirt shop. Is this a good idea? I figured I wanted a generic LLC name that way I could use it for anything in the future...the only downside I can see to this strategy is that it'll cost me an additional $200 to file a DBA in the name of my URL.

Should I just use the generic name for my LLC and leave it alone? The only downside I can see to that would be, perhaps, customers wouldn't recognize the charge on their credit card bill if the LLC's name isn't the same as the Tshirt shop's. But is that true? Do you have to have your official LLC name show up on their bill? Or must I file a DBA if I call the business something other than the LLC's name?

Can anyone help me sort this out? Thanks.

 

[Rodney]

The only downside I can see to that would be, perhaps, customers wouldn't recognize the charge on their credit card bill if the LLC's name isn't the same as the Tshirt shop's.

This is pretty important to help prevent chargebacks. But you can overcome this with constant reminders of what the billing statement will say, branding notices on your site, faqs, receipts, email autoresponders, shipping labels, packing slips, thank you letters, etc.

Or must I file a DBA if I call the business something other than the LLC's name?

I think it depends on what state you're in.

 

[lousentdreem]

do you have some lawyer filing your dba for $200? in Michigan I pay a $10 fee to the state when I create one? they are also pretty darn simple to fill out.

 

[Fat Tire]

do you have some lawyer filing your dba for $200? in Michigan I pay a $10 fee to the state when I create one? they are also pretty darn simple to fill out.

No, I just typed in "texas dba" in google and $200 was the first one that came up. I think I found another for $120. Maybe I'm getting ripped off by not doing it myself.

 

[binki]

Filing a DBA should be pretty simple. In California, you do it by putting an ad in the local paper for 4 weeks and register with the county. That is it.

The downside is your local city may look at that and hit you up for a business license.

 

[DFras]

No, I just typed in "texas dba" in google and $200 was the first one that came up. I think I found another for $120. Maybe I'm getting ripped off by not doing it myself.

NO,NO, NO!
Contact or visit your county clerk's office. Tell them you need an
"Assumed Name Certificate". This is your dba form. Fill it out, notorize, and pay like $15 bucks or so.(depends on your county)

*side note- you will need to take the dba form with you to your bank if you are going to open an account in your business name.

Contact or visit the "Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts" for your Sales and Use Tax Permit.

Darrell

 

[Fat Tire]

NO,NO, NO!
Contact or visit your county clerk's office. Tell them you need an
"Assumed Name Certificate". This is your dba form. Fill it out, notorize, and pay like $15 bucks or so.(depends on your county)

*side note- you will need to take the dba form with you to your bank if you are going to open an account in your business name.

Contact or visit the "Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts" for your Sales and Use Tax Permit.

Darrell

Thank you, good sir!

 

[DFras]

Thank you, good sir!

Glad to be of service!