How Do You Change Your Business Name with the IRS?
By Paul Sponaugle Tuesday, August 11, 2020
Have you recently changed the name of your LLC or corporation?
If so, it’s your responsibility to make sure everyone knows it, including the IRS. You must change your business name with the IRS if you change the name of your LLC.
Under most circumstances, changing your business name with the IRS will not require a new EIN—though it will require an EIN name change. To make this determination, see IRS Publication 1635.
Although it’s rare, sometimes changes to names are made right after EINs are issued. If you recently received your EIN and have not made any tax filings with the IRS, then send your business name change request to: IRS, Stop 6055, Kansas City, MO 64999
If tax liability for the EIN has already been determined (i.e., you've already filed a tax return for the entity), there are two ways to notify the IRS of your LLC name change:
- When filing a current year tax return, you can change your business name with the IRS by checking the name change box on the entity’s respective form:
- Corporations – Form 1120, Page 1, Line E, Box 3
- S-Corporation – Form 1120S, Page, 1, Line H, Box 2
- LLC (sole member) – cannot update name by filing return; must use Option 2.
- If you have already filed the return for the current year, you do not have to wait until next year to change your LLC or corporation name with the IRS. Changing the name of an LLC or corporation typically requires a Certificate of Amendment to be filed with the state or country where the business entity was originally formed.
Deliver a filed copy of this Certificate of Amendment, along with a letter informing the IRS of the company name change, to the address where you filed your return. Corporations must have the letter signed by a corporate officer while LLCs must have the letter signed by a member.
Once you’ve changed your business name with the IRS, you’ll need to let everyone else know you’ve changed the name of your company, too.
It’s a good idea to make a list of all the other agencies and companies that you do business with on a regular basis; be sure to include all state and local tax authorities, vendors, suppliers, service companies and banks.
This will help keep you organized during the transition and make sure your mail service is not interrupted. It’s your responsibility to make sure everyone is on the same page in this new chapter of your company.
We can help you file a Certificate of Amendment if you would like to change the name of your LLC or corporation. Call us at 1-800-345-CORP if you are thinking about changing your LLC name.
*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.
There are 6 comments left for How Do You Change Your Business Name with the IRS?
Carli S. said: Monday, September 14, 2020I received my EIN from the IRS before checking if the name was available with my state. When filling out the documents, that legal name was not available. I now have two different LLC names, one with the IRS and one with the state of PA - They share the same EIN. How can I update my LLC name with the IRS to match the one approved by the state?
HBS Staff replied: Monday, September 14, 2020In this situation, you will likely only have to inform the IRS of the name change via a mailed letter, but it is best to check with them first. You can find more info and contact details here: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/business-name-change.
Richard Jackson said: Wednesday, September 9, 2020I have a LLC, and PLLC. I want to have the PLLC use the EIN that is for the LLC. How can I do this?
HBS Staff replied: Thursday, September 10, 2020Unfortunately, we do not work with PLLCs and can't advise on them. We recommend contacting a tax professional to assist with this.
Zaha said: Wednesday, August 19, 2020How can I fix my LLC name in IRS. First time I was applying EIN I made spelling mistake. How can I make right?
HBS Staff replied: Wednesday, August 19, 2020Please contact our Filings team at filings@delawareinc.com and they can discuss the process of making this correction.
Tynesha Matthews said: Monday, November 11, 2019I need the address and fax number for the entity department for Virginia. I am trying to notify the IRS about a recent LLC name change. Thank you
HBS Staff replied: Tuesday, November 12, 2019Here is the page for the Virginia State Corporate Commission: https://www.scc.virginia.gov/clk/index.aspx. However, please refer to the article above as far as notifying the IRS.
Suzanne B Pasley said: Tuesday, July 30, 2019
I am the treasurer for a County Joint [2] Candidates Committee for a county seat in the general Election in November We have an EIN. If the name of the Joint Candidates Committee changes [cause one member vacates and another takes his place] does the name change of the Joint Candidates Committee necessitate getting a new EIN number. If not, what is mechanism for reporting the name change. Note this is political organization non-profit.. And typically no federal returns are required. Our bank says if no EIN number is necessary, they need some confirmation of IRS notification or amendment to the EIN information Thank you,.
HBS Staff replied: Tuesday, August 6, 2019An exempt organization that has changed its name must report the change on its next annual return (such as Form 990 or 990-EZ). An organization that does not file an annual return (for example, an organization that instead files Form 990-N, the e-Postcard), or an organization that is required to e-File its return, may report the change of name by letter or fax (not by phone) to:
Fax: 855-241-7520
Certified Mail: Internal Revenue Service
91973 North Rulon White Blvd.
Attn: EO Entity
Postal Mail Stop: 6273
Ogden, Utah, 84404
The letter or fax reporting the change of name must include your organization’s
- full name (both the prior name and the new name)
- Employer Identification Number and
- authorized signature (an officer or trustee)
The individual signing the letter must state the capacity in which he or she is signing (for example, “John Smith, President”).
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