How to Change Your Business Name with the IRS
If you’re planning to change your business name, you’ll need to work with the IRS to complete the process. This process will involve an IRS business name change as well as an EIN name change, which involves updating the name on your existing EIN. Keep in mind that when you decide to go through with this process, it’s your responsibility to make sure that everyone knows your company’s new name, including the IRS.
Why Change Your Business Name?
Technically, you can change the name of your LLC or corporation for just about any reason, but a common driver is rebranding. There are a lot of benefits to a strong business name, and a shift in your products or services may call for such a change. You’ll want your customers to know who you are and what you do, so to better reflect the company’s current mission, a new name may be warranted. Another common reason is legal issues, such as a trademark conflict with another company, which often necessitates a name change to avoid a lawsuit. Mergers or acquisitions may also lead to a new name to represent the combined entity. Finally, a business might simply need a more memorable or modern name to stand out from competitors or to attract a wider audience.
Changing Your Business Name
This next section will walk you through the steps to officially change your business name with the IRS. We'll go over the documents you need and the exact forms and addresses to use, helping you ensure a smooth transition and maintain a clear, compliant record with the government. If you've already filed at least one tax return for the entity, there may be a few different ways to notify the IRS of your business name change. Here are a couple of options for each entity type:
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LLCs
On your tax return: If you’ve changed your LLC’s name, report the new name on your next annual tax return (Form 1065 for multi-member, Form 1120 for LLCs taxed as corporations, or Form 1040 Schedule C for single-member LLCs).
Written notice: If your LLC files Form 1065 or Form 1040 Schedule C, you can also send a written notice of the name change to the IRS office where you file. Include your old business name, new business name, EIN, and the signature of an authorized member.
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Corporations
File Form 1120: Report the new name on your next corporate income tax return.
Written notification: Send a letter to the IRS office where you file, including the old and new names, EIN, and an authorized signature.
Articles of amendment: Depending on your state, you may need to file the Articles of Amendment, as the IRS generally requires state confirmation of the change.
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Partnerships
File Form 1065: Report the business name change on Form 1065.
Written notification: Send written notice to the IRS if needed, with the old and new names, EIN, and authorized signature.
Remember, if you have already filed the return for the current year, you do not have to wait until next year to start an IRS business name change for your LLC or corporation. 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.
While filing the appropriate forms is the most common method, you can also deliver a filed copy of this Certificate of Amendment, along with a letter informing the IRS of the business 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.
Although it’s rare, changes to business names are sometimes made right after EINs are issued. If you recently received your EIN and have not yet made any tax filings with the IRS, then send your business name change request to: IRS, Stop 6055, Kansas City, MO 64999
Updating the Name on Your Existing EIN
When you change your business name, the IRS keeps your Employer Identification Number (EIN) the same. Instead of issuing a new EIN, the IRS updates the name linked to your EIN in its system. This ensures continuity for tax reporting, payroll, and other federal purposes. While corporations may need to send a letter to the IRS office, most other types of entities will only need to report the new name on their federal tax forms. For more information about this process, please see IRS Publication 1635. Just remember, a new EIN is not required for a name change.
After Changing Your Business Name
When you’ve informed the IRS, business name changes need to be announced to other companies you do business with, 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. Remember, it’s your responsibility to make sure everyone is on the same page in this new chapter of your company, including the IRS.
At Harvard Business Services, Inc., 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 or corporation name. If you’re unsure about your new company name, you can also use our free Delaware company name search to see what’s available.
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*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 15 comments left for Change Your Business Name with the IRS
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Dorin P said: Tuesday, January 19, 2021Hi! I am writing on behalf of an LLC that recently changed their name and filed the income tax return with the new name. We also got a letter 147C confirming the new name is matched with the EIN. Since we are an online business, I applied for a Stripe payment processor account and their verification process with the IRS database still shows a match between the old company name and the EIN. Is it possible that the IRS database is in fact not updated although we received Letter 147C? Should I inform other partners of the name change in this situation, or wait until it's sorted out? Thank you!
HBS Staff replied: Thursday, January 21, 2021The IRS has been quite delayed in a number of different areas for the past 10 months. We would recommend you call them directly to confirm the change was recorded properly. We can't advise on when to inform your partners, but generally, the IRS can give you a quick response once you're able to get through to them.
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.