Who must apply for Pennsylvania Sole Proprietorship or Pennsylvania DBA?

• Generally, any sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or other form of business or nonprofit entity that conducts any business under an assumed or fictitious business name must register this name with the Pennsylvania Department of State. The penalty may be up to $500.00 failing filing PA Assumed Name.
• A sole proprietorship of Pennsylvania is a simplest form of business organization. It has less paper work, the easy income reporting system and no annual renewal applicable and the biggest disadvantage of sole proprietorship is that you are personally liable for any unexpected situation.
• The term fictitious or trade name indicates a name assumed by a general partnership.
• Any person is doing a commercial activity and not using a real  name is responsible to register a dbd in the state of Pennsylvania. It is created to identify a person doing business with you.
• Fictitious name in Pennsylvania is available for the public record.
• A fictitious name is not a trademark and multiple businesses can use the same name to advertise their businesses in Pennsylvania.
• Doing business under a fictitious name does not guard to your personal or business assets.
• The state of Pennsylvania will not approve fictitious name, if it is registered as a corporation or a Limited Liability Company.
• An indicator or extension cannot be used along with the business name to register a trade name in Pennsylvania, such as inc. incorporates, LLC or a limited liability company.
• Individuals are operating a business under real names are not required to register a business name in Pennsylvania.There is no filing required, if doing business under your name as a sole proprietorship.
  

How do you check the name availability to ensure the name availability in Pennsylvania?

PA fictitious name availability can be checked with the PA secretary of state online real time to ensure the name you are going to submit to the state is available.

How do you register a fictitious name for a new business in Pennsylvania?

• Fill out the online form to register assumed name with your complete name, business name, business address, business description and payment information.
  
• After registering a fictitious name, you will be required to place an advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which your business will be located and one in a legal publication or newspaper in that same county.
  
• PA fictitious business name is not a business license.

How do you report the income of the Sole Proprietorship business in Pennsylvania?

You can report  your earned income or loss under sole proprietorship on your personal income tax.

How long does State of Pennsylvania takes to process a fictitious name application to register?

Processing time varies with the application have been received by the State of PA before you. Generally takes three to five working days.

Do you need an Employer Identification number to open a business account for your PA fictitious name?

No, it is only required if you are hiring employees under your Pennsylvania fictitious business name.

What is the advertising requirement to register a fictitious name in Pennsylvania?

• All fictitious names created in the state of Pennsylvania are required to fulfil publication requirements.
• The advertisement must be done in the county business is physically located.
• You can contact to the county courthouse or county bar association where the business is being conducted.