Do I need a business name if I am self-employed sole proprietor?

[jmandelb]

I have a part-time job as a self-employed consultant. It's a sole proprietorship (just me). When I go to put my self-employment info in Turbotax, it asks for the name of the business if I have one. I technically do not have a business name since it is just me providing consulting services out of my home, but I do have an EIN. Does it matter if I say "no" to the business name, or should I just say yes and call the business as my full name only (ie. "John Smith")? Please let me know if there is a preference or benefit to either option or which one to go with in my case, and whether putting my name as the business name would be sufficient.

Thanks!

[KatrinaB · Accepted solution]

No. You only need to enter a business name if you have established one.