If you run a business under an assumed name in Alaska, you may want to set up a DBA. Short for “Doing Business As,” a DBA serves as an alternate title for your business. Often, a DBA is the name customers will use to refer to your company. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about DBAs: who needs one, who doesn’t, and two easy steps to filing with the state.
NOTE: Keep in mind that filing a trade name will not give your business protection through the corporate veil like an LLC will. If this is something you want or need, don’t fret, there are many top rated LLC services that can help you take care of the paperwork.
Do You Need an Alaska DBA?
Not all business entities in Alabaska need a DBA. Ordinarily, a business needs a DBA when the name of their business differs from the name registered with the state.
So let’s say that Lauren operates a sole proprietorship; her legal business formation documents list her full name as the legal owner of the business. But if she wants to run her shop under the name Sew Sweet Creations, she’d need to file a DBA in order to use that name. A DBA is also useful for corporations which want to establish additional businesses or locations with a name that’s different from the Corporation name.
Limited liability companies, nonprofit corporations, and corporations operating exclusively under the name on file with the state usually do not need a DBA. They may choose to use one if they want to establish a new product line or chain of businesses under their original parent company.
An Alaska DBA does present a few advantages. While it doesn’t offer any specific legal protections or tax incentives, a DBA allows you to get a business bank account. You can also give your customers peace of mind—most people are more comfortable writing a check to a business than an individual.
In Alaska, all businesses are required to list every name they intend to use in the state on their business license. If you’ve already received a business license in Alaska but want to set up an additional name, you’ll need to file a Name Change Form. This form includes a section for adding a DBA.
1) File Your DBA with the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
All Alaska businesses are required to obtain a business license; this also serves as the method to file your DBA with the state. State regulations require you to list every name you intend to use on your business license. You can obtain a license online here. However, if you’re an unincorporated entity (e.g. a sole proprietorship, partnership, etc.) the business name you list can be used by other entities, too. The state puts no limit on the number of business licenses which list the same name. But it’s a good idea to select a name which is distinguishable from other entities, so your business can stand out from the rest.
To do that, you’ll want to run a License Search to see what names are already licensed within the state. Alaska also recommends that you search local phone directories, run a Google search, and so forth to double-check what names are already out there.
Once you’ve filed the name on your new business license or submitted the Name Change Form (linked above), you’re all set to use your DBA as you conduct business in Alaska.
If you want to protect your name so no other businesses can use it, you’ll need to reserve it. You can do so by filling out a New Business Name Registration.There is a $25 non-refundable filing fee for this application. You can pay by credit card, cash, or check. Once you’ve registered, no one else will be allowed to use your business name.
2) Maintaining your Alaska DBA
Your initial name registration grants you five years of exclusive use of that name. After that, you’ll need to submit a renewal with the state. The form is due between October 1st and December 31st of the year your name is set to expire. If you miss this deadline, your name will be up for grabs again and you could potentially lose your exclusive rights.
The form is very similar to the initial registration. Like the registration, the renewal fee is $25.
Need Help Filing your DBA?
If this process sounds like a hassle, you can get help with setting up your business’s name with a service like Legalzoom. They make the process simple: you simply provide them with the necessary information about your company, and they’ll fill out the paperwork so you don’t have to. The process is both easy and affordable, letting you focus on running your business.
Conclusion
Your name is an important part of your business, but keeping compliant with state requirements can be tricky! We hope this guide made it quick and easy to set up your Alaska DBA.