Is getting a DBA certificate worth it? I have been running a small computer services side biz for over 20 years. I hung out a shingle simply by getting a business phone account so I had a Yellow Pages listing. I have always done my taxes as a sole proprietorship. I've never had a biz checking account because I never had the need to write checks. I do have a Paypal account and 2 credit cards in the biz name.
I'm just wondering whether getting a DBA certificate is worth letting the county know about my business.
The reason this became an issue is for depositing checks made out to the business name. In the past, when I have gotten checks made out to the business, I've endorsed them as:
My name, prop
For business name
And deposited them in my personal account. Except for one time many years ago, they have always been accepted. Recently, I've entered into a few contracts where I expect to be paid by checks made out to the business. So I went to my bank the other day and made the mistake of asking if depsiting them will be a problem. I was told that I couldn't deposit them and that I need a biz checking account. And to get one I need a DBA certificate.
So I went to another branch of the bank, deposited the check in an ATM and its been credited to my account.
So the main reason for getting a DBA seems to be moot.
Opinions, please?