If you decide to change your business name, it is not a requirement to get a new EIN. Instead, you can submit a business name change for your business, which you can do through the IRS.
There are still a few circumstances businesses will be required to obtain a new EIN, for example if you change business structure, but changing your business name is not one of them.
When would I not need to obtain a new EIN?
If you are making internal changes to your business or LLC, then you will not need to obtain a new EIN. For example, if you decide to change the company’s registered address or business name, then you won’t need a new EIN to do so. Similarly, you can keep your original EIN if you run an LLC but wish to be taxed as a corporation instead. Some businesses choose to do this for taxation benefits, but it’s ultimately up to you.
Although none of these changes require you to change your EIN, it is still important that you give the IRS notification of change. This can be done through the website, or by writing the IRS a letter with your company letterhead. Should you choose to do the latter, you need to mail the letter to the following addresses:
| Taxpayers in the States Below | Mail the Form to This Address |
| 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, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin | Department of the Treasury,Internal Revenue Service Center,Kansas City, MO 64999 |
| 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, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming | Department of the Treasury,Internal Revenue Service Center,Ogden, UT 84201 |
In this letter, you will also need to provide some of the personal details of the company’s owners. These details include each owner’s social security number, their full legal name, as well as the registered address of the company. This is essential for accurate account identification on their side.
How to change your business name for an EIN
To change your business name, you just need to inform the IRS of the updated information. If you’re only changing the name and not the structure of your company, you can keep the same EIN. However, if you’re altering the structure, you’ll need a new EIN assigned.
Sole proprietorships
Sole proprietors and single-member LLCs can notify the IRS of a name change by sending a signed letter to the IRS at the address used for tax return filing.
Partnerships
Partnerships can communicate a name change by including it in their current year tax return (Form 1065) or submitting a written notice to the IRS at the filing address. Similar to sole proprietorships, partnerships can usually retain their existing EIN during a name change, unless there’s a substantial structural shift.
Corporations
Corporations updating the IRS on a name change can do so in their current year tax return (Form 1120 or 1120-S) or by submitting a signed letter to the IRS. If you run a corporation, you will need to apply for an EIN in the event of a major structural change.
How to find your existing EIN
The best way to find your existing EIN is by using an online lookup service. EINsearch is a comprehensive online service that facilitates easy access to Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) for businesses in the United States. It provides users with a convenient platform to search and retrieve EIN information for companies, offering valuable insights into their legitimacy and financial standing.
This service streamlines the process of verifying and obtaining EINs, making it a valuable tool for individuals, businesses, and professionals seeking accurate and up-to-date information about companies operating in the U.S.