Registering a Business In Queens

[Astoriagirl4]

I want to start using a name other than my own for the small business I run. I have called Queens County Clerk twice to see how I do this through the mail. They tell me I can send the form, but that it's better if I come in. When I explain that my commute there would be around an hour and I would prefer to get the info about mailing the forms in, they transfer me to another department that doesn't pick up the phone. Has anyone else registered their small business name through the mail? What is the big secret?! Is it really that much better to trek out to Jamaica?

[astoria101]

IANAL, just personal experience.

I don't know what business you have in mind but for a couple of hundred bucks you can set up a single entity LLC which would protect you from lawsuits and give a real separation between AstoriaGirl4 the person and AstoriaGirl4's business (plus allow some business deductions).  When tax time comes around no separate tax returns necessary as an LLC's profits and losses just get passed through onto your personal 1040.

Can all be taken care of online.