LLC and DBA

[andrewhawkins13]

I am a college student living in California, but going to school in Tennessee.

I want to set up an LLC in either state(whichever is easiest) but what sort of complications will I run into crossing the state borders? Can I file a DBA in California for a LLC in Tennessee?

I have ambitions to start a few website start ups. Which state should I file a LLC?

Sorry for jumbled thoughts I just have a lot to get down. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

[ciaossu]

You're better of consulting an attorney for this sort of thing than rely on advice here. You don't actually have to file within the two states you're physically in, in some cases. And depending on the nature of your business, etc... it could vary.

To answer your first question regarding the DBA in California with an LLC in Tennessee, no you can't. Typically you would file an amendment that states you're an LLC based in Tennessee wishing to do business in the state of California as a foreign LLC.

That said, its worth contacting an attorney on these things because laws varies state by state. I know that in California, you have an $800 annual tax for operating an LLC where as in other states such as Oregon, you don't. I don't know enough about Tennessee laws to tell you if there are benefits or disbenefits to going the route you're going.

Again, I would recommend giving an attorney a quick call over the phone to ask them for some advice, some will do it for free if its a brief question and it never hurts to ask.

[sukie]

Read a book on LLC, Corps, etc from NOLO. Easy read and all is covered with addresses and websites for all states