[ScottGem]

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?

[Wondergirl]

With you as sole proprietor, it doesn't seem to be necessary. Your personal money has always been mixed with business money. Around here, registering for a certificate is just putting money into county coffers.

What would be the advantage of getting a certificate?

[Fr_Chuck]

I guess why the company name except perhaps "your name" tax service or something,

If your company name does not have your name in it normally you will have to do the DBA,
What our bank did, I merely showed them the business license ( assume you have had a business license these last 20 years) and they set you up a DBA checking account

So if this bank demands one, and you don't want to change banks, I guess it is worth it, so you can cash your checks

[ScottGem]

With you as sole proprietor, it doesn't seem to be necessary. Your personal money has always been mixed with business money. Around here, registering for a certificate is just putting money into county coffers.

Well I have sort of kept the money separate. I've always kept a separate savings account and any income from the biz was deposited there first. Then I would draw on the account to pay bills, etc. And I have always marked these deposits as biz income.

What would be the advantage of getting a certificate?

That's what I'm trying to find out ;) Seems to me the only advantage would be getting a biz checking account.

[ScottGem]

If your company name does not have your name in it normally you will have to do the DBA,
What our bank did, I merely showed them the business license ( assume you have had a business license these last 20 years) and they set you up a DBA checking account

So if this bank demands one, and you don't want to change banks, I guess it is worth it, so you can cash your checks

The biz name does include my last name within it.

Business license?? I don't know that what I do requires a business license. Since the other branch seems to be accepting the checks with the endorsement, I'm more inclined to let sleeping dogs lie.