What are the legal requirements and implications of operating a business under a 'Doing Business As' (DBA) name?

Registering a Canadian entity to do business in the United States involves several key steps, which can differ slightly depending on the state. The following may help you through the process, but should not be considered legal advice: Choose the State: Decide which state(s) you will be doing business in, as each has its own specific requirements and procedures for foreign entity registration. Appoint a Registered Agent: Select a registered agent within the state. This person or business entity will receive legal and tax documents on behalf of your company and must have a physical address in the state. Check Business Name Availability: Ensure your business name is available in the chosen state. If needed, reserve the name to guarantee it’s available when you file your registration. Prepare Necessary Documents: Typically, you will need to file a Certificate of Authority (also known as Foreign Qualification or Application for Registration). This document generally requires: The name of your business. The state or country where your business was originally formed. The date of formation. The principal office address. The address of the registered agent in the state. Names and addresses of directors, officers, or members. Get a Certificate of Good Standing: Obtain a Certificate of Good Standing (or Certificate of Existence) from the province in Canada where your business was formed. This document verifies that your business is in compliance with local laws. File with the State: Submit the completed Certificate of Authority and the Certificate of Good Standing to the state’s Secretary of State office or equivalent authority, along with any required filing fees. Pay the Filing Fees: Filing fees vary by state. Check the specific fee for the state you are registering in. Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN): Apply for an EIN from the IRS if you haven’t done so already. This is necessary if you will have employees or if it’s required for other federal tax purposes. Register for State Taxes: Register for state taxes, including state income tax, sales tax, and employment taxes, if applicable. Maintain Compliance: Stay compliant with ongoing state requirements, such as filing annual reports, paying franchise taxes, and maintaining a registered agent. Each state may have additional requirements or steps, so it’s a good idea to consult with a legal or business professional who is familiar with the regulations in the state where you plan to register.

The Tennessee Secretary of State website has a business division with business start up guides. I suggest you review that website https://sos.tn.gov/businesses.

The question isn't whether you can do it, but is whether you SHOULD do it. You definitely would be able to do other work within the LLC. However, in doing so, now you active work and passive income are getting combined which would likely subject your passive income to the 15.3% self employment tax. Let me know if you have any questions on how to structure the businesses.

It depends on your circumstances. For example, single member LLC's are simpler and more affordable. Try posting your question as a proposal at this link so attorneys can bid on it: https://www.contractscounsel.com/client/create-project/step-h1?cta=4.

Great question—and it is wise to think through this early, as your business structure will impact everything from liability and taxes to fundraising and daily operations. Here is a brief overview of the most common structures and the factors we would consider in determining the right fit for your startup: 1. Sole Proprietorship Simplest and least expensive to form No legal separation between you and the business Offers no liability protection Best for low-risk, low-capital businesses or testing an idea 2. General Partnership Similar to sole proprietorship but with two or more owners Pass-through taxation Shared liability, which can be risky without a strong partnership agreement Generally better suited for informal ventures 3. Limited Liability Company (LLC) Popular choice for early-stage startups Offers liability protection while maintaining flexible tax treatment Easier to manage than a corporation but can still accept outside investment with proper structuring Good balance of protection, control, and simplicity 4. Corporation (C-Corp or S-Corp) Preferred structure for startups planning to seek venture capital or scale aggressively C-Corp allows for unlimited shareholders and stock classes S-Corp offers pass-through taxation but is more limited in ownership and structure More formal structure with regulatory and tax complexities What to Consider in Making Your Decision: Whether you plan to raise outside funding The level of risk and liability exposure in your business Whether you want pass-through taxation or separate business taxation How you want to structure ownership and management Your growth strategy and long-term goals If you would like, I can schedule a consultation to walk through your specific goals, evaluate your risk profile, and help determine the structure that best supports your startup both legally and financially. Let me know if you'd like to offer an early-stage startup package or keep it open-ended. This version keeps it client-focused and practical.