D.C. Registered Agent, Inc.: July 2014

Monday, July 21, 2014

Enjoy Peace of Mind for About 27 Cents per Day

You have so much to do when you run a business in Washington, DC. It’s a full-time job just dealing with customers and making sure you have top quality products and services for those customers. In addition, there seems to be an endless parade of paperwork to attend to—correspondence, government registrations, business licenses and renewals, payroll, and taxes are only the tip of the iceberg. Sometimes it seems almost impossible to find time for everything, and as hard as it is to admit, sometimes things slip by.

Some things you can’t afford to let slip by, however. If you receive an important government notice, for example, you can’t afford to ignore it—the consequences can be costly and sometimes almost disastrous. Likewise, if you are named as part of a lawsuit, you have to know about it very promptly or you could end up facing a default judgment without ever having your day in court.

D.C. Registered Agent, Inc. can make your life easier by taking some of this off your mind. Since 1994, we’ve been representing clients as their registered agent in Washington, DC. For a tiny fee, about 27 cents per day, or $99 per year, we can stand by to receive government notices, summonses, subpoenas, and other court papers for you. You don’t have to worry about whether the process server or government agency can find you because they come to our office—that is why the law requires you to maintain a registered agent in DC. Within 1 business day of receiving the papers, we forward them to you so you can deal with them appropriately.

Don’t hesitate or worry even one more minute. Visit our website at www.DCRegisteredAgent.com or call us at 202.457.4299 and find some peace of mind today!

Getting a Business License in Washington, DC

Do you need to get a business license in DC? The process can be complicated and lengthy, but D.C. Registered Agent, Inc. can guide you through the process painlessly so you have your license as quickly as possible. Best of all, in most cases, we can do this without your ever having to leave your office.

Here are some things to remember about getting a business license in Washington, DC:

There are many different kinds of DC business licenses, and it is very important to get the right one for your business. At D.C. Registered Agent, we can help you sort through the dozens of possibilities and be sure you are applying for the correct license.
Your business entity must be on file with DC Corporations before you can apply for a DC business license. Either your company (corporation, LLC, etc.) must be formed here, or—if the company has been formed in another state—it must be registered in DC as a foreign (“out-of-state”) entity. As well, all business entities must be in good standing with DC Corporations before you can apply for a business license. D.C. Registered Agent can handle of all of this for you.
You must register your entity with D.C. Tax and Revenue before you can apply for a business license in DC. Again, D.C. Registered Agent can handle this registration for you.
You have to submit a packet of paperwork with your business license application, and the requirements are different for different kinds of businesses. In addition, all of the paperwork submitted must comply with the District Government’s strict requirements. D.C. Registered Agent is highly experienced with this process and will be sure you are accumulating the right paperwork.

Getting your business license in Washington, DC doesn’t have to be a major distraction for you.

Why wait? Call us and now and allow the expert staff at D.C. Registered Agent to help you get the DC business license you need. You can visit our website at www.DCRegisteredAgent.com or call us at 202.457.4299

Having the Right Registered Agent Is Critical to Your Business

Finding the right registered agent in Washington, DC is critically important for your business. District of Columbia law requires business entities doing business in the District to appoint and maintain a registered agent located in DC, and also establishes the legal duties of a registered agent: to receive documents sent to the agent on your behalf and forward those documents to you. The documents involved are essential to your business—papers related to lawsuits and court proceedings, and any official government communications sent to you in care of the agent. It is vital to hire an experienced and reliable agent, so you will receive any such documents promptly. Sadly, we hear stories regularly from people who have missed important deadlines and had to pay extra fees and penalties because their registered agent could not be found or for some reason failed to forward information to their client.

In addition to the duties established by law, the right registered agent can perform other important services for you. For example, the agent can file any papers related to starting or maintaining your business with the appropriate government agency, registering with D.C. Tax and Revenue, and acquiring the appropriate business license for your business. A good registered agent also can help you remain compliant with various legal requirements, such as timely report filing and license renewal. These important tasks are things you want to delegate only to an agent you can trust.

D.C. Registered Agent, Inc. has been serving clients since 1994. We are a local firm in DC, not a national company that has to keep up with clients throughout the United States. Our only office is located in Washington, DC and our exclusive focus is serving clients here—we don’t do business anyplace else. Because of our extensive experience in dealing with the DC Government, we know exactly what we need to do for you and where to go to do it. We also know many of the people at the government agencies that impact your business. Our full time staff of experienced professionals focuses on providing you with the best possible client care.

Give yourself some peace of mind and rest assured that we will look out for you. Call D.C. Registered Agent today at 202.457.4299 or visit our website at www.DCRegisteredAgent.com.

Starting a Small Business 101: The Essential Steps

Starting a small business requires determination, motivation, and know-how. Here are the critical steps to provide you with the know-how to have a successful small business startup:

Identify Your Business Opportunity:

Choosing what kind of business to start can be an immobilizing task when confronted with the multitude of opportunities. It's important to determine where your passions lie and to understand your personality type. Yet, equally important is what skills you bring to the table and whether you are entering a dying industry or a fast growing emerging business.

Build a Business Plan:

For any start-ups, a business plan allows you to gain a better understanding of your industry structure, competitive landscape, and the capital requirements of starting a small business. A study mentioned in "Business Plans For Dummies" by Paul Tiffany states that companies with a business plan have 50% more profits and revenue than non-planning businesses. Writing a business plan just makes good business sense.

Find Start-up Money:

To start a business, you must invest in the business. The journey of finding start up funds will be different for each individual. Some start ups such as consulting, requires a few thousand to get a website and business cards whereas a retail store could need $100,000 or more. Finding the money you need may come for a source you never thought of or may just end up being the frugal bootstrap method.

Name Your Business:

What's in a business name? Everything and nothing. The right business name will help distinguish you from a sea of bland competitors, provide your customers with a reason to hire you, and aid in the branding of your company. Learn what you need to know to find a name for your business.

Choose a Business Structure:

Deciding on the structure of your business is not a decision to be taken lightly. Whether you choose the popular LLC, a sole proprietorship or form a corporation; your choice will have an impact on your business liability, fund-ability as well as taxes due. Don't fret over your ultimate business structure, because as your business evolves, so too, may your structure.

Get Your Business License and Permits:

Starting a small business requires the mundane, yet necessary, paperwork and regulations. Depending on your chosen business structure, may need to register your business with the state authorities. Setting up your small business may require an employer identification number(EIN) which is also used by state taxing authorities to identify businesses. Additional paperwork can entail sales tax licenses, zoning permits and more.

Set Up & Determine Your Business Location:

One of the multitude of tasks in starting a business is the setting up of your office. There are many steps in office set up including where to locate your office (home or office space), buying the necessary office equipment, designing your work space and getting supplies.

Get Business Insurance:

As a new small business owner, you have the responsibility to manage the risks associated with your business. Don't put your new start-up at risk without getting the proper small business insurance to protect your company in the event of disaster or litigation.

Create an Accounting System:

Unless you're a number person, the accounting and bookkeeping aspect of running your business can't be avoided. Setting up your accounting will help you understand the financials of running a business and help you advert failure.

Starting a Small Business

Small Business Start Up Ideas

Small Business Start Up Resources

Source: http://sbinformation.about.com/od/bizopportunities/a/startup101.htm

Why DC Registered Agent, Inc. Is Right for You

You need a registered agent in Washington, DC. Any business operating in DC (whether formed in DC or in another state) is required by law to appoint a registered agent located in the District of Columbia (see D.C. Code § 29). Make the right choice of registered agent by considering these important principles:

Knowledge Specific to DC: Choose an agent with specific knowledge of the business laws and procedures in Washington, DC.
Experience: Choose an agent with lots of experience, particularly with navigating the various government agencies in DC that are important to your business. You need to know that your filings and official business will be done correctly and expediently the very first time.
Located in DC: Choose an agent that is genuinely located in the District. Watch out for companies that only maintain a mail drop or branch office here.
Reliability: Choose an agent that enables you to feel very confident that you will immediately receive any official government notice or court papers that are sent to you in care of the registered agent.

DC Registered Agent, Inc. is an excellent choice for any kind of business operating in Washington, DC. Our experience with District of Columbia agencies, business laws, and procedures is unparalleled. This is an important consideration because many of the laws and procedures in DC differ from those of other states. Further, we know the people involved in getting your work done DC because we go to the various DC government agencies daily. This allows us to get your work done as expeditiously as possible. Our only office is located in Washington, DC so our access to the various government agencies that impact your business is only a Metro ride away. In short, because we have been representing clients in DC since 1994 and we only represent clients here, you are able to benefit from our expert staff’s knowledge and experience, so you can feel confident that you are doing the right thing in the right way.

Since our founding in 1994, our reliability has been impeccable. Our office is open every business day and it is easy to speak with someone on our staff. Since we only represent clients in DC, we don’t have the huge, nationwide customer base that many of our competitors have. This allows us to get to know you and your needs, and allows you to establish an ongoing relationship with someone on our staff whom you can contact with any questions or needs.

Contact us today and see how we can help. Our website is www.DCRegisteredAgent.com, and our telephone number is 202.457.4299.

Why You Need a Registered Agent

Why do you need a registered agent in Washington, DC? Two reasons: the law requires it and your business’s health depends on it. D.C. Code Title 29 requires all companies and partnerships that are formed, registered, or doing business here to have a registered agent located in the District of Columbia. From a practical standpoint, you need someone you can trust to receive court papers and government notices and forward them to you without delay, and to transact other important business for you when needed.

Not receiving court papers and government notices can cost you money—sometimes big money! The primary duties of a registered agent are to receive and forward to you any service of process, court papers, or official government notices that are sent to you in care of us. That function is vital to your business’s well-being. If you don’t receive court papers, you may never know about a lawsuit that involves you until the court has already issued a default judgment against you. In addition, if you do not receive government notices that are sent to your agent, you will end up paying additional government fees and could possibly even have your business’s charter revoked. Obviously, having an experienced registered agent you can trust is essential to your business’s best interests.

To that end, it is crucial that your registered agent has an office in DC with a well known physical address, and is open and reachable during normal business hours. D.C. Registered Agent, Inc. has been in business since 1994 and our only office is at 1120 20^th Street, NW, in Washington. We are open every business day during normal operating ours. D.C. Registered Agent excels at serving businesses because we only represent companies in the District of Columbia, and we are thoroughly familiar with the District’s business requirements and procedures. Our longtime acquaintance with many people in the various government agencies allows us to get your business handled as expeditiously as possible.

In addition to our registered agent service, we offer other services when you need them. For an additional fee, we can file any necessary documents with the appropriate DC government agency, and can offer you guidance and assistance in preparing reports, business license applications, and other documents. If you ever have a special need, contact us and we’ll accommodate you if we can. (We are very experienced in all these matters, but please remember that we are not a law firm and we do not practice law. You should consult a licensed attorney when you feel the need for professional legal advice.)

Find out how we can take care of many of the details and leave you some time to concentrate on running your business. Visit our website today at www.dcregisteredagent.com or call us at 202.457.4299 to learn more about the best registered agent in DC. We look forward to hearing from you.