If you need to change the address of your limited liability company (LLC), it's important to follow the necessary steps carefully. Not only do you need to update your principal office address with the USPS, your vendors, and your clients — but with the IRS, state taxing agencies, licensing boards, and other entities as well.
Not sure where to begin when it comes to changing your LLC address? We've put together this step-by-step guide to help you get through this complex process more confidently.
All LLCs need to have a registered agent — a responsible party who acts as the primary point of contact in the state where your LLC is registered. Anytime a change is made to your LLC (including a change of address), this must be carried out by your registered agent.
Many business owners can act as their own registered agents, but these requirements can differ by state. All registered agents are required to have a physical address in the state where the LLC does business — and that address cannot be a P.O. Box. Company officers, lawyers, CPAs, and even employees can serve as registered agents (in most cases) if these requirements are met.
Many business owners choose to hire a registered agent through a third-party service to save themselves the time and hassle associated with handling LLC address changes and other responsibilities. Stable, for example, offers registered agent services for just $25 per month. With these services, you can ensure that your business has a reliable point of contact.
The United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) must be notified of your new business address. This ensures the IRS can reach you with correspondence regarding business tax returns and other important matters. There are actually a few ways to update your address with the IRS, but the easiest is to fill out and file IRS Form 8822-B.
The form itself is pretty straightforward, but there are a few things to keep in mind as you complete it. Perhaps most importantly, be sure to also fill out and file IRS Form 8822 if you're updating your personal mailing address at the same time as your LLC address.
Once you've completed Form 8822-B (and Form 8822, if you use your home address for your LLC), you'll need to sign it and send the form to the correct IRS address. Check the chart at the bottom of the form to ensure that you're sending the form to the right IRS location based on your existing business location/address. It's also a good idea to keep a copy of this form for your own records.
In addition to notifying the IRS of your address change, you'll need to notify your state's specific taxing agencies. Updating your business mailing address with state taxing agencies is important: If mail is sent to your old business address, you could miss out on important correspondence. You might even miss deadlines for taxes or other fees, which could result in fines and penalties against your business.
Things can get complicated here because each state has its own requirements and procedures for changing an LLC address. If you need to update your LLC address within the same state as your existing address, you can find the necessary forms by searching the web for "certificate of LLC change" plus the name of your state.
If you're updating your LLC address to a location in a different state, however, you'll need to complete and file these forms with the new state taxing agency. Depending on the state where you're filing, you can submit the forms online. However, many states still require paper copies to be mailed out.
Updating your LLC address with the IRS and your state's taxing authorities is important when it comes to receiving official business correspondence. For your everyday mail delivered by the United States Postal Service, however, you'll still need to update your address with USPS.
The good news is that you can do this in a matter of minutes on the official USPS website. Here, you can enter your business information, old address, and new address. You can also set a forwarding date to continue to have mail delivered to your old address until your address change is complete. The USPS website also allows you to indicate whether your address change is permanent or temporary.
If you prefer not to file your address change online, you can also visit any United States Post Office to fill out PS Form 3575 in person.
Things can get a little confusing here — especially when you consider that each state has different filing requirements for amending an LLC address. Likewise, each state has different offices that handle these updates. For example, one state may handle these filings through the Secretary of State, whereas others may use another filing agency.
Regardless, if you're changing your LLC address, there's a good chance you'll need to re-file your articles of organization and complete an article of amendment.
When you created your LLC, you had to file articles of organization with the state in which your business operates. These documents formally established your LLC and provide important details about your business, including its purpose and its incorporators. There's a good chance you also paid a filing fee to process these documents. Unfortunately, when you change your LLC address (even within the same state), you need to file them and pay those fees again.
Any time you make changes to your LLC, you also need to file articles of amendment with the state in which your business is operating. These are also commonly referred to as certificates of change of certificates of amendment. These are usually handled by a state's respective Secretary of State office, but this is not always the case.
To file articles of amendment, you usually need to complete a form that includes your business name, the information being changed (your street address), and the name/address of your LLC's registered agent. However, you'll need to check with your state's specific authorities to ensure you are filing all necessary paperwork to amend your LLC.
If you have to obtain any kind of licensure to start your small business, you'll need to update your LLC address with this agency as well. This includes not just state or local business licenses but any professional licenses as well. To update your address, reach out to your licensing agency directly. You will likely need to fill out a form or complete a change-of-address process online. However, exact steps can vary greatly from one licensing agency to the next.
Banks, vendors, and clients need to have your LLC's updated address as well. This is especially true if you receive financial statements, invoices, or payments from these entities. You can alert these entities of your new address by sending out something by mail, via email, or even by phone. You might even want to share your new business address on your social media page.
Don't forget to alert your business insurance carrier(s) of your new LLC address. This way, you can make sure you receive your policy renewal information and any other important correspondence about your coverage. The address associated with your LLC may also affect the cost of your coverage and other aspects of your policy, so don't overlook this important step.
In most cases, you can simply call or email your insurance agent to update your address.
Many LLCs are registered and operate in one state. However, if your business operates in multiple states, it's imperative that you follow these steps for every state where your LLC is registered. Keep in mind that specific requirements for updating LLC addresses can vary from one state to the next, so you'll need to do your research and file the appropriate forms for each state carefully. Don't forget that your LLC also needs to have a registered agent for every state it operates.
Changing the address of your limited liability company can be time-consuming — especially if you need to change your business address in more than one state. Thankfully, with a virtual business address from Stable, you can avoid ever going through this ordeal again. Instead, enjoy the convenience of having a premium business address that you can use with the IRS, state, lenders, and more.
Ready to make the switch? Let our team guide you through the process with pre-filled paperwork, hands-on support, and a personalized checklist. Get started today!
Disclaimer: Informational purposes only. Stable is not a legal or accounting firm. Therefore, we cannot provide legal advice or tax advice. You should consult legal services and/or tax professionals for advice on how to meet ongoing obligations that apply to you and your company.
