Process
Change Business Name on EIN (2026) Guide
Change the business name on your EIN by notifying the IRS. LLCs send a letter, corporations check the name change box on Form 1120, sole proprietors update the next return. Your EIN stays the same. Need a new EIN instead? ein.so files Form SS-4 for $49.
Change the business name on your EIN by notifying the IRS in writing. LLCs send a signed letter to the IRS in Cincinnati, OH 45999. Corporations check the name change box on Form 1120. Sole proprietors enter the new name on the next Schedule C. Your 9-digit EIN number never changes. The federal process costs $0. The IRS takes about 4 to 6 weeks to record the change.
A business name change updates the entity name tied to your EIN without changing the EIN itself. The same 9-digit number stays linked to the same legal entity. The method depends on your entity type: a letter to the IRS for LLCs, the name change box on the annual return for corporations and partnerships, and the next tax return for sole proprietors. This guide covers each path, the state filing that comes first, the documents you send, and how a name change affects banking, Form 5472, and BOI reporting for non-resident owners.
| Factor | Detail |
|---|---|
| EIN number changes? | No — same 9-digit EIN |
| IRS cost | $0 (free) |
| State amendment cost | Varies by state (confirm with Secretary of State) |
| New EIN needed? | No (unless entity type changes) |
| IRS processing time | 4 to 6 weeks |
| LLC mailing address | IRS, Cincinnati, OH 45999 |
| Method (corp/partnership) | Name change box on Form 1120 / Form 1065 |
By Entity Type
How Do You Change the Business Name on an EIN by Entity Type?
You change the EIN business name by the method matched to your entity type. LLCs mail a signed letter to the IRS. Corporations and partnerships check the name change box on the annual return. Sole proprietors enter the new name on the next tax return. The EIN number stays the same in every case.
LLC: Letter to the IRS
Corporation: Form 1120
Partnership: Form 1065
Sole Proprietor: Next Return
A non-resident owner of a foreign-owned single-member US LLC uses the LLC letter method. The IRS treats most foreign-owned single-member LLCs as disregarded entities, but the EIN record still carries the LLC legal name. Update that name with the Cincinnati letter so it matches your state amendment.
Step-by-Step
How Do You Send an EIN Name Change Letter to the IRS?
Send the EIN name change letter to the Internal Revenue Service, Cincinnati, OH 45999. The letter lists your EIN, old business name, new business name, and address. Attach the state-stamped amended Articles. The responsible party signs and dates the letter. The IRS processes it in about 4 to 6 weeks.
File the State Amendment First
Write the Letter
Sign as the Responsible Party
Mail and Track
EIN Name Change Letter Checklist
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| EIN | Your existing 9-digit EIN (format XX-XXXXXXX) |
| Old name | Exactly as on the current EIN record |
| New name | Exactly as on the amended Articles |
| Address | Current business mailing address |
| Attachment | State-stamped amended Articles |
| Signature | Responsible party or authorized member |
| Send to | IRS, Cincinnati, OH 45999 |
If you have never obtained an EIN, this letter process does not apply yet. Start with the EIN application process and the SS-4 form guide instead.
New EIN vs Name Change
When Do You Need a New EIN Instead of a Name Change?
You need a new EIN only when the legal entity changes, not when the name changes. Converting a sole proprietorship to an LLC, a single-member LLC to a multi-member partnership, or an LLC to a corporation creates a new entity that requires a new EIN. A pure name change keeps the same EIN.
| Situation | New EIN needed? | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Same entity, new name | No | Letter or name change box |
| Sole prop becomes LLC | Yes | File new Form SS-4 |
| Single-member LLC adds members | Yes | New EIN for the partnership |
| LLC elects corporation status | Sometimes | Confirm with a CPA |
| Owner changes (sale) | Sometimes | Depends on structure |
| DBA / trade name added | No | Register DBA, keep EIN |
A name change preserves your banking history, your payment processor records, and your tax filing continuity. A new EIN starts those records over. Confirm any structural change with a CPA before you decide. ein.so files Form SS-4 for a new EIN when the entity itself is new, with Standard at $49 (4 to 7 business days) and Express at $97 (2 to 3 business days). The IRS charges $0 for the EIN.
Banking & Records
How Does an EIN Name Change Affect Your Bank Account and Payments?
An EIN name change forces you to update your bank account, payment processors, and platform accounts to the new name. Banks match the EIN name to the account name and your formation documents. A mismatch triggers account freezes, especially for non-resident owners. Update each record after the state amendment is stamped.
US Business Bank Account
Payment Processors
Selling Platforms
Registered Agent and State
Sequence matters. File the state amendment first, notify the IRS second, then update banking and platforms third using the stamped documents. Doing the bank update before the state amendment is a common reason non-resident accounts get flagged.
Tax Compliance
How Does a Name Change Affect Form 5472 and BOI Reporting?
A name change requires the new legal name on every federal filing after the change. A foreign-owned single-member US LLC files Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 each year. The penalty for non-filing is $25,000. Use the new name on these forms and update your FinCEN BOI report within the deadline.
Form 5472 + Pro-Forma 1120
BOI Report to FinCEN
Tax Returns
Confirm With a CPA
Keep every federal record consistent
- State amended Articles, the EIN record, Form 5472, and the BOI report must all show the same new name.
- A name mismatch across these records is a frequent cause of IRS notices and bank holds.
- Confirm the exact timing of each update with a CPA for your situation.
Common Mistakes
What Mistakes Should You Avoid When Changing an EIN Name?
Avoid applying for a new EIN when you only need a name change. A name change keeps the same EIN. Applying for a new one fragments your tax history and confuses banks. The other common errors involve sequence, signatures, and mismatched documents.
Avoid these name change errors
- Requesting a new EIN for a simple name change — the EIN stays the same.
- Notifying the IRS before filing the state amendment — file the state amendment first.
- Sending an unsigned letter — the responsible party must sign and date it.
- Using a name on the letter that differs from the stamped Articles — match them exactly.
- Updating the bank before the state record is amended — the bank flags the mismatch.
- Forgetting to update Form 5472, the BOI report, and platform accounts to the new name.
For a non-resident owner, the highest-risk error is a name mismatch between the EIN record and the US bank account. Banks freeze accounts when the EIN name and account name diverge. File the state amendment, notify the IRS, then present the stamped Articles and the EIN confirmation to the bank in that order. See EIN cost for the federal fee and EIN processing time for IRS timelines.
Next Steps
What to Do After an EIN Name Change
- Update your US bank account — present the amended Articles and EIN confirmation showing the new name
- Update your BOI report — keep the FinCEN record consistent with the new legal name
- File Form 5472 — use the new name annually for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)
- Need a new EIN instead? — ein.so files Form SS-4 for $49 Standard or $97 Express
- Apply without an SSN — non-residents use a passport number on Line 7b, see EIN without SSN
Related guides: EIN address change | EIN cancellation | EIN for LLC | EIN for non-residents | SS-4 form guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change my business name on my EIN?
Notify the IRS in writing. LLCs send a signed letter to the IRS in Cincinnati, OH 45999 with the EIN, old name, new name, and state amendment copy. Corporations check the name change box on Form 1120. Partnerships check it on Form 1065. Sole proprietors enter the new name on the next Schedule C. Your EIN number stays the same.
Do I need a new EIN when I change my business name?
No. A name change alone never requires a new EIN. Your existing 9-digit EIN stays linked to the same legal entity. You only need a new EIN when the entity type changes, such as converting a sole proprietorship to an LLC or a single-member LLC to a corporation. Confirm structural changes with a CPA before filing.
Is changing the business name on an EIN free?
Yes at the federal level. The IRS charges $0 to update the business name on your EIN, just as it charges $0 to issue the EIN. Your state may charge a fee to file amended Articles of Organization or Incorporation. State amendment fees range across states, so confirm the exact amount with your Secretary of State.
How long does an EIN name change take to process?
The IRS takes about 4 to 6 weeks to process a name change after it receives your letter or return. You will not always get a confirmation letter for an LLC letter notification. For corporations and partnerships, the IRS records the change when it processes the annual return that has the name change box checked.
Where do I mail an EIN name change letter?
Mail an LLC name change letter to the Internal Revenue Service, Cincinnati, OH 45999. Include your EIN, the old business name, the new business name, your business address, and the signature of the responsible party or an authorized member. Attach a copy of the state-stamped amended Articles to support the request.
Can a non-US resident change the business name on a US EIN?
Yes. A non-US resident updates an EIN business name the same way a US resident does, by writing to the IRS in Cincinnati, OH 45999. The responsible party signs the letter. No SSN or ITIN is required to request the name change. If you do not yet have an EIN, ein.so files Form SS-4 using your passport for $49.
Do I need to change my EIN name before opening a bank account?
Yes. Your bank must match the EIN name to your account name and your formation documents. File the state amendment first, then notify the IRS, then update the bank with the amended Articles and your EIN confirmation. A name mismatch between the EIN and the account is a common reason banks freeze or reject non-resident accounts.
What is the difference between a legal name change and a DBA?
A legal name change alters the entity name on your state formation documents and the EIN record. A DBA (doing business as) adds a trade name without changing the legal entity. A DBA does not require an IRS letter or a new EIN. You register a DBA with your county or state and keep using the same EIN.
Does an EIN name change affect Form 5472 or BOI filings?
Yes. After a name change, use the new legal name on Form 5472, the pro-forma Form 1120, and any FinCEN BOI report. A foreign-owned single-member US LLC files Form 5472 each year, with a $25,000 penalty for non-filing. Update your BOI report within the FinCEN deadline so all federal records show the same current name.
Can I change my EIN name online?
No. The IRS has no online tool to change a business name on an EIN. LLCs must mail a signed letter. Corporations and partnerships report the change on a paper or e-filed annual return by checking the name change box. The IRS online EIN tool only issues new EINs and only to applicants with an SSN.
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