Business Name Change Requires Filing Articles of Amendment with the Secretary of State. You do not need a new Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS.

Business owners and other authorized individuals can submit a Name Change and other authorized individuals can submit a Business Name Change with the Secretary of State for their business. The specific action required may vary depending on the type of business.

In some situations, a business name change may require a new Employer (consult your accountant) Identification Number (EIN) or a final return.  See Publication 1635, Understanding Your EIN, to make this determination.

Follow the chart below to determine who the authorized individual is to make the business name change for your type of business:

Type of Business & Action Required for a name change

Sole Proprietorship: Write to us at the address where you filed your return, informing the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of the name change. Note: The notification must be signed by the business owner or authorized representative.

Corporation: If you are filing a current year return, mark the appropriate name change box of the Form 1120 type you are using:

• Form 1120:  Page 1, Line E, Box 3
• Form 1120S:  Page 1, Line H, Box 2
• If you have already filed your return for the current year, write to us at the address where you filed your return to inform us of the name change.  In addition:
• The notification must be signed by a corporate officer.

Partnership: If you are filing a current year Form 1065, mark the appropriate name change box on the form:  Page 1, Line G, Box 3. If you have already filed your return for the current year, write to us at the address where you filed your return to inform us of the name change.  In addition:

• The notification must be signed by a partner of the business