how to change llc name

Last updated July 29, 2021

How to change your LLC name with the IRS

Note: If you haven't changed your LLC name with the state, you'll need to file an Amendment.

How to change your LLC name with the IRS will depend on how your LLC is taxed.

Note: There is no cost associated with changing your LLC name with the IRS.

LLC taxed as a C-Corporation

If your LLC is taxed like a C-Corp, you don't have to mail a special letter to the IRS.

Simply check off "name change" at the top of Form 1120 when taxes are filed.

LLC taxed as an S-Corporation

If your LLC is taxed like an S-Corp, you don't have to mail a special letter to the IRS.

Simply check off "name change" at the top of Form 1120S when taxes are filed.

Foreign-owned LLC

If you're a non-US resident/citizen and you own a U.S. LLC, it depends on how many LLC Members there are.

• If your LLC has 2 or more Members, follow the instructions for "LLC taxed as Partnership".

• If your LLC has 1 Member, follow the instructions for "LLC taxed as Sole Proprietorship".

Tip: If your LLC has 1 Member, make sure you read about the Form 5472 requirement for foreign-owned Single-Member LLCs.

LLC taxed as a Partnership

An LLC with 2 or more Members is, by default, taxed like a Partnership. You don't have to mail a special letter to the IRS to change your LLC name.

Simply check off "name change" at the top of Form 1065 when taxes are filed.

Note: If your LLC is owned by a husband and wife in a community property state (and you've elected to be taxed as a Qualified Joint Venture), please see "LLC taxed as Sole Proprietorship" below.

LLC taxed as a Sole Proprietorship

An LLC with 1 Member is, by default, taxed like a Sole Proprietorship.

In order to change your LLC name with the IRS, you'll need to mail them a letter and show proof of the state approving your LLC name change.

You can download our IRS LLC name change letter below and follow the instructions.

IRS LLC name change form

You can download our LLC name change letter and mail it to the IRS:

IRS LLC name change form (PDF)

Date:
Enter today's date at the top of the form.

To:
Check off either the Kansas City, MO address or the Ogden, UT address.

Use Kansas City if your LLC is located in:
Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin.

Use Ogden if your LLC is located in:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming.

Prior Business/LLC Name:
Enter your prior LLC name.

Please note that the name of the LLC has been changed to:
Enter your new LLC name.

Note: Remember to include a copy of your state-approved LLC Amendment showing the new LLC name.

After you have updated your records, please send a written confirmation to:
Enter your mailing address here. It can be any address you'd like. It doesn't have to match your existing IRS or state records.

Signature & contact info:
The owner of the LLC must be the one signing this form. Then enter your name, title (use "owner"), and telephone number.

Include a copy of your LLC Amendment from the State

In order to change your LLC name in most states, you'll file an Amendment (often called Certificate of Amendment or Articles of Amendment) with the Secretary of State or similar agency.

Make sure to include a stamped/approved copy of your LLC's name change Amendment form with the letter that you mail to the IRS.

IRS mailing addresses

Check the list above to see which address to use. You'll be mailing your "IRS LLC Name Change Letter" and your stamped/approved LLC Amendment name change form to either:

Entity Department
Internal Revenue Service
Kansas City, MO 64999

Entity Department
Internal Revenue Service
Ogden, UT 84201

Note: There is no street address needed. The IRS is so big that they have their own zip code!

Approval for IRS LLC name change

On average, it takes about 30 days to receive an LLC name change confirmation letter from the IRS, but please allow 45 to 60 days.

If you don't get anything back by then, don't send another letter to the IRS (that can cause more confusion); instead, call them at the phone number below. Provide your LLC name and EIN Number and ask them to check their records and let you know the status. Often you can just ask them over the phone to mail another confirmation letter. They may also be able to fax you a copy as well.

Your approval will be a 2-page letter. Here is what page 1 will look like:

IRS LLC name change approval letter (252C)

IRS contact info

You can contact the IRS at 800-829-4933. Their hours are Monday through Friday from 7am to 7pm, local time (based off of area code you're calling from).

Where else should you update your LLC name?

You should also update your LLC name with the places listed below.

Yes, it's a lot. Create a spreadsheet and take it slow. You can do your name changes gradually as your old LLC name will still "work" for a while.

business bank account
business debit card
business checks
paypal or other online banking solutions
commercial registered agent (if applicable)
business credit cards
state Department of Revenue (or equivalent agency)
local tax office (city, county, township)
business licenses and permits
website, domain registrar, hosting company
utility companies
letterhead, logos, invoices, contracts, and important documents
accountant
attorney
online account registrations
anywhere else you do business

Note: Form 8822-B is not for an LLC name change

Form 8822-B ("Change of Address or Responsible Party — Business") cannot be used to update an LLC name with the IRS.

Form 8822-B is used to change an LLC address with the IRS and/or to change the LLC EIN responsible party.

Matt Horwitz

Founder & Educator, LLC University®

Matt Horwitz has been the leading expert on LLC education for the past decade. He founded LLC University in 2010 after realizing people needed simple and actionable instructions to start an LLC that other companies weren't offering. He's cited by Entrepreneur Magazine, Yahoo Finance, and the US Chamber of Commerce, and was featured by CNBC and InventRight.

Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in business from Drexel University with a concentration in business law. He performs extensive research and analysis to convert state laws into simple instructions anyone can follow to form their LLC - all for free! Read more about Matt Horwitz and LLC University.