Can you change your business name and keep the same EIN? If you change your name soon after you file your annual tax return, then you can inform the IRS of the EIN number change name through a signed notification, similar to a sole proprietorship. EINs do not expire. Once an EIN has been issued to an entity, it will not be reissued. If you only run one business entity, the IRS will only issue you a single EIN.
You will be required to obtain a new EIN if any of the following statements are true:
- A new LLC with more than one owner (Multi-member LLC) is formed under state law.
- If you are changing the business name but keeping the same business structure and owner, you may not need to obtain a new EIN.
You don’t need to register with city or county governments to start a business. If your business is an limited liability company, partnership, or nonprofit corporation, you need to file for licenses and permits from the city or county. Business owners and other authorized individuals can submit a name change for their business. Applying is free and easy. And you’ll only need one number—even if you have more than one DBA.
For New York state, how can you change your DBA name? To change your DBA name, it’s basically two steps, one at the federal level and one at the state level:
- A written letter to the Internal Revenue Service stating your intent to change the name.
- Follow the chart below to determine who the authorized individual is to make the business name change for your type of business: Write to us at the address where you filed your return, informing the IRS of the name change.
No, you do not need to register your DBA (Doing Business As) name in New Jersey with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The registration of a DBA is typically done at the state or local level. However, once your DBA is registered in New Jersey, you may need to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS if your business has employees, operates as a corporation or partnership, or meets certain tax-filing requirements.
Here is how to decide whether you need a business name change or to simply file a DBA:
- If you are changing your whole business and your old name no longer applies, changing the business name is a clean option.
- If you’ve rebranded your product but the old business name still applies, filing a DBA may make the most sense.