Can You Have Multiple Businesses Under One LLC?
Sometimes, forming one business just isn’t enough. When you have several amazing business ideas that can change the world, you might be tempted to form several LLCs at the same time. However, as you pursue the path of business ownership, several questions may arise. What type of business activity can I conduct with my LLC? How many different businesses can I operate under one LLC? Will a Series LLC work for me?
Depending on the scope of your individual businesses, the answers to your questions may vary. Operating multiple businesses under a single LLC is an option, but you may also want to consider a few alternatives. First, let’s review the basics.
Can You Operate Multiple Businesses Under One LLC?
Yes, you can operate multiple businesses under one LLC. This setup allows all business activities to be managed under a single legal entity, which can simplify administration and reduce formation costs. However, it’s important to understand that all operations under the LLC share the same legal and financial liability, meaning if one business faces a lawsuit or debt, the others could be affected.
To manage multiple businesses under one LLC, you generally have three options:
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Multiple DBAs Under One LLC
One common way to run multiple businesses under one LLC is by registering multiple DBAs, or “doing business as” names. A DBA allows your LLC to operate under a different business name without creating a separate legal entity. This is a great choice if your businesses are related or share the same ownership. It may also be simpler and less expensive than forming a separate LLC for each business. However, it is important to understand that a DBA does not provide separate liability protection. All DBAs still belong to the same LLC, which means all of your assets are legally connected. If one DBA faces a lawsuit or debt, the entire LLC could be affected.
- Formation - The business owner forms one LLC and registers one or more DBA names for the different brands.
- Liability - All DBAs operate under the same LLC, so they generally share the same legal risk.
- Tax Treatment - DBAs are not separate legal entities, so they are usually taxed as part of the same LLC.
Separate LLCs for Separate Businesses
Another option is to form a separate LLC for each business you operate. Instead of running multiple brands under one legal entity, each business has its own LLC, bank account, contracts, tax records, and liability protection. This structure can be especially helpful when the businesses are mostly unrelated. The biggest advantage is legal separation. If one LLC faces a lawsuit, the other LLCs are better protected. However, separate LLCs also come with more administrative work, including additional formation fees, annual reports, and compliance requirements. For many business owners, the decision comes down to balancing simplicity against stronger liability separation.
- Formation - The business owner forms a separate LLC for each business, with each entity having its own formation documents & fees.
- Liability - Each LLC has its own legal protection from the others.
- Tax Treatment - Each LLC is usually treated as its own tax entity.
Series LLC
A Series LLC is a special type of LLC that allows one parent LLC to create separate internal divisions, called series. Each series can have its own assets, business purpose, and liability protection. This structure offers some of the liability separation of multiple LLCs while reducing the need to form and maintain several separate entities. The one caveat is that Series LLCs are more complex than standard LLCs and are not available in every state. Banks and courts may also handle them differently depending on the jurisdiction.
- Formation - The business owner forms one Series LLC and then creates individual series under the parent LLC.
- Liability - Each series may have separate liability protection from the others (can vary by state).
- Tax Treatment - Each series needs separate accounting and may be treated separately for tax purposes (can vary by state).
Choosing a Solution
Choosing between multiple DBAs under one LLC, separate LLCs for separate businesses, and a Series LLC depends on your goals for your businesses. A simpler setup may work well for closely related or low-risk businesses, while separate entities may be better for businesses with different assets. Before deciding, consider how each option affects legal protection, taxes, costs, and future growth.
- Are the businesses closely related, or are they completely different?
- Does one business carry more legal or financial risk than the others?
- Would a lawsuit against one business put the others at risk?
- Will each business use a different name or brand?
- Will each business have a different customer base?
- Will the businesses have the same owners or investors?
- Will each business have its own bank account and financial records?
- Are you comfortable managing multiple compliance deadlines?
- Does your state allow Series LLCs?
FAQs
How many DBAs can an LLC have?
An LLC can technically have any number of DBAs under its umbrella. As long as each DBA is registered separately with the Delaware Division of Corporations and you pay a filing fee for each name, you can continue to add new DBAs.
Can two unrelated businesses be under one LLC?
Yes, but it may not always be the best choice. The main benefit is simplicity, as you only have one legal entity to form and maintain. However, the biggest downside is shared liability. If one business is sued or takes on debt, the other business could be affected because both are part of the same LLC. It could also be confusing for customers who are trying to research your business.
Can I add a new business to my existing LLC?
Yes, you can add new businesses to an LLC. You may also need to register a DBA if the new business will use a different public-facing name. If the new business is very different or higher-risk, forming a separate LLC may be better.
What states allow Series LLCs?
There are currently over a dozen different states that allow you to form a Series LLC. Delaware does allow them, and was even the first state to introduce the Series LLC structure back in 1996. Other states include Illinois, Texas, Nevada, and Wisconsin.
Can an LLC own another LLC?
Yes, an LLC can own another LLC. Such cases are referred to as a parent-subsidiary relationship, where the parent LLC holds ownership in a subsidiary LLC. In these scenarios, the parent will have control of the subsidiary’s operations while remaining a separate legal entity.
Next: How to Create and Use a DBA
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Start my business*Disclaimer*: Harvard Business Services, Inc. is neither a law firm nor an accounting firm and, even in cases where the author is an attorney, or a tax professional, nothing in this article constitutes legal or tax advice. This article provides general commentary on, and analysis of, the subject addressed. We strongly advise that you consult an attorney or tax professional to receive legal or tax guidance tailored to your specific circumstances. Any action taken or not taken based on this article is at your own risk. If an article cites or provides a link to third-party sources or websites, Harvard Business Services, Inc. is not responsible for and makes no representations regarding such source’s content or accuracy. Opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Harvard Business Services, Inc.
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There are 27 comments left for Can You Have Multiple Businesses Under One LLC?
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hil said: Thursday, September 24, 2020Thank you so much. This answered the question I had.
HBS Staff replied: Thursday, September 24, 2020Our pleasure. Thanks for reading!
Neil Donnelly said: Sunday, August 16, 2020I have a PLLC with one health care location and want to add a new location. I want to use the existing business name but want to go into a partnership on just the new location. What legal structure would facilitate this?
HBS Staff replied: Monday, August 17, 2020Neil, we recommend you speak with a lawyer due to the various practical and regulatory considerations, but the you could also look into (1) using a DBA on the new entity representing the new location so that both operate under the same trade name (e.g., if the names are Healthcare CoolBusiness I, LLC and Healthcare CoolBusiness II, LLC, they could just jointly operate as Healthcare CoolBusiness as their trademark) or (2) the two locations could jointly own a third entity as a joint venture with gain and loss parsed out as appropriate from the centralized operating entity, which would operate under and hold rights to the desired name. However, these are just ideas and should not be taken as legal advice. Hope that helps!
Uday Saindane said: Thursday, February 20, 2020I want to start Snack & Chaat Center, Clothing , Shoe Laundry under One Premises with different name in Mumbai. Is it Ok to go ahead and do the necessary license for each and every business. Please advise. Mob - 9324949177
HBS Staff replied: Thursday, February 20, 2020We would be happy to help you set up multiple LLCs for your different lines of business if that is what you would like to do. Simply call, email, or live chat with us to get started. For business license support, we refer you to our partner LicenseLogix - https://www.licenselogix.com/.
Trekmovers said: Friday, September 6, 2019For example, if you ran an editing business using the same LLC that operates your dog walking business, and one of the dogs you're walking gets injured while under your care, it's not just the assets and income of your dog walking business that will be exposed to liability the assets and income belonging to your editing business, which has nothing to do with your dog walking business other than being run within the same LLC, will also be exposed to any legal claims which might be filed against your dog walking company as a result of the incident.