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.
Using Multiple DBAs Under One LLC
To run different businesses under one LLC, many entrepreneurs file for DBAs, or “Doing Business As” names (also called Fictitious Name Statements). A DBA lets your LLC legally operate under multiple brand names without forming new legal entities. For example, if a business owner has a trucking company incorporated as an LLC, they could also host a real estate service with a separate DBA. These are two completely different types of businesses, so it might be surprising that the owner can provide both services under one LLC. Just keep in mind that all DBAs remain tied to the same LLC and share tax reporting and liability.
This structure will help reduce startup costs and annual fees, but it’s important to maintain clear internal records and branding for each business to avoid confusion. Some LLCs even use separate bank accounts under one LLC for cleaner bookkeeping.
However, just because it’s possible to operate an LLC with multiple businesses doesn't mean you should, as there can be downsides. For example, if a lawsuit is filed against any one of the businesses, the assets of the others could be at stake. The result is that you put yourself at a higher degree of liability risk. As the old adage says, "Do not put all your eggs in one basket."
Using a Series LLC
Some people choose to explore the low-cost series LLC when they want to operate several different businesses. This option is very enticing, as it only calls for one annual Franchise Tax payment to the State of Delaware and one annual Registered Agent Fee.
However, the Series LLC is still quite uncommon, so a variety of hurdles can arise while operating your business. Many service providers, banks, attorneys, and accountants are still unfamiliar with the series concept. It often takes time to explain the series concept and to obtain approval for documentation that you’ve requested, for example, from a bank's lending group. Nevertheless, it is generally considered safer and smarter for people to keep their business ventures completely separate from one another by forming an LLC for each aspect of a business. In essence, what you are doing is creating one Delaware LLC as a holding company, and other, individual LLCs within it, yet separate from it.
Separate LLCs for Separate Businesses
As an alternative to hosting multiple DBAs or a Series LLC, many people still opt to file a new LLC for each of their start-up ventures. Owning multiple businesses under separate LLCs isolates the risk by separating each business's debts and liabilities. There are, of course, additional maintenance fees, but these can be well worth it in order to protect your businesses and offer the peace of mind that separate LLCs will afford. As it stands today, this practice is traditionally still the most highly recommended strategy by tax professionals, attorneys, and business consultants all over the world.
Sometimes this means that for every sector of the business, for each product line, for every service provided, for each piece of real estate held, business owners will consider creating another LLC. This ensures that the assets, debts, and liabilities of each LLC are completely disconnected and shielded from one another in the event of any possible litigation.
When establishing multiple LLCs, it can be extremely helpful to develop a blueprint hierarchy that will coincide with the relationship of the respective LLCs. For example, people typically set up numerous LLCs for real estate development. This framework often consists of one parent LLC at the top of the hierarchy and multiple sibling LLCs, one for each piece of actual real estate.
Each LLC may own, manage, and be responsible for a single piece of property; thus, while all the LLCs share the same holding company and may possess similar structures, assets, and liabilities, they are shielded from one another in order to protect the properties and resources of each individual LLC.
How to Structure Your Business
So, do you need a separate LLC for each business? Not always, but there are a few factors to consider. If your businesses are small, low-risk, or closely related, consider operating them under one LLC with separate DBAs. For more legal separation without the cost of forming multiple entities, a Delaware Series LLC may be more attractive. For maximum protection, especially if your businesses carry different risk levels or involve substantial assets (like real estate), forming separate LLCs is often the safest solution.
If you would like more information or have any questions about forming your own companies or adding another business under the parent LLC, please contact us by phone (800-345-2677), Skype (DelawareInc), email or live chat. One of our knowledgeable business startup specialists will be happy to assist you. Alternatively, read on for a list of 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.
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
*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?
Milana Beschastna said: Saturday, January 28, 2017Hi we are want to open the company and looking for the best option. The types of business are yoga teaching, selling on amazon, and web design and programming. How better to combine all that? Thanks a lot
HBS Staff replied: Monday, January 30, 2017The types of companies you open and manage are entirely up to you. Best of luck.
Dinah said: Tuesday, December 27, 2016We have a commercial real estate LLC for more than 5 years. Do we need a separate LLC if we are selling products online like Amazon and eBay? Or can we put this as an umbrella? But still need a separate LLC name? We need to know quickly.
HBS Staff replied: Thursday, December 29, 2016The sky is the limit with how you choose to operate your LLC. However, typically, if you have two businesses that are doing two completely separate things then often clients file separate companies so not all their eggs are in one basket, so to speak (liability, legal issues, etc.).