INC Name Change Options

Consider a DBA instead Changing your INC’s name will have lots of potential ramifications aside from the process of the name change (see Other Considerations below). Instead of changing the Corp’s name, consider filing a DBA (AKA: Assumed Business Name or Fictitious Name). If your INC is operating a new business, your INC could file a DBA within the county or state it operates, and this would connect your existing INC to that new business name. For example, if your INC is called ABC, INC and it is now operating a floral website known as “ABCFlorists.com”, you could file a DBA publically stating that you are now operating as “ABC, INC, doing business as ABCFlorists.com”. If this option appears to be feasible, check with your state filing agency or county clerk/recorder for DBA filing options. Form a new INC or LLC If you’ve expanded and/or opened up a new business, rather than change the name of the existing INC, consider forming a new INC or LLC to own and operate the new or expanded business operations. By separating the existing business from the new/expanded business into two entities, you’ve separated the liabilities of each as well. This option of course carries with it the additional costs of maintaining two entities in your state, instead of one. And there may be some additional accounting charges for additional filings with the IRS. Check with your accounting professional before you move forward with this option.

The Process to change the LLC’s name

Making any big changes starts with your Board of Directors. Even if there is only one person occupying all the roles of the corporation, a corporation must formally make the decision to change its name. The Board should call a special meeting of directors, then vote on it, and then document in minutes or sign a unanimous consent to the change. The Directors The stockholders Because the decision to change the name is such a large one, it would be also recommended to get the vote of the shareholders. This involves holding a special meeting of the shareholders (assuming the annual meeting isn’t close enough). Likewise, it should be voted on and documented in meeting minutes. File the INC name change with the state Once the decision to change the INC name was documented, change it with the formation state. This is done by filing Articles of Amendment with the state agency that formed your INC. Articles of Amendment are typically made available by the state for download. After correctly filling out the amendment form(s), submit to the state with the appropriate fee. Upon acceptance by the state, the amendment, and therefore the INC name change is filed.

Other considerations of an INC name change

Although you may be done with the process of officially changing the name of the INC with the state, there are still other agencies, vendors, and others who should be notified of the change you have just made. IRS Write a letter to the IRS telling them of the INC name change and send it here: IRS-Stop 343G, Cincinnati, OH 45999. For more information about this, go here: http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Business-Name-Change. State Agencies If your business has registered for a sales tax ID, Use Tax ID, occupational license, permits, etc., because it would have been your INC (the owner of the business) that applied for these, you will most likely need to update the record for each. Check with your state taxing body, usually the State Dept. of Revenue. County & Local Governmental Agencies If your business has registered for a sales tax ID, Use Tax ID, occupational license, permits, etc., because it would have been your INC (the owner of the business) that applied for these, you will most likely need to update the record for each. Bank Account Your bank needs to update its record as well. You will need to take in a copy of the filed articles of amendment showing them the change. A new card with officer signatures maybe required as well. Also, your checks may need to be re-ordered, reflecting the new name. Registered Agent Assuming you are not acting as your Corporation’s registered agent, the person or company providing this service, must be notified of the change. Otherwise he/she/they will not know that your company is the same as the newly named INC that it receives notices from the state or legal inquires or lawsuits on its behalf. Other Vendors There maybe other vendors that have provided credit or have signed contracts with your INC, which need to be notified of the change. Yes, there are a lot of formalities to follow when your corporation decides to change its name. However, if you follow a systematic process, as outlined above, your corporation will remain a rock solid veil of protection to its business and assets.

How to Update Your Address

Editing your address on SmallBiz.com is very simple, but what address you wish to update will determine your next steps.

01 SmallBiZ.com Changes - Edit Your Profile

Any changes to your record with SmallBiZ.com is done through "Edit Your Profile"

NOTE: These Changes are ONLY for updating your record BEFORE PLACING A NEW ORDER, and do not update your address for an existing order or for your registered agent or Secretary addresses (see below for instructions on this).

New Order Address Changes
Click on the “Edit Your Profile” link in Member Options folder

Change My Address
Now make changes to either or both your Contact Address (My Address) or your New Order Shipping Address.

Click Submit
Once you have made the changes to your profile, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the “Submit” button to make your changes live.

02 Existing Order Address Changes

If you already have a pending order and you wish to make a change to your shipping address (for that existing order), then you need to contact us immediately. Do that through either your order's Order Tracking area (click on your order and then send us a message through Message Tracker) or using our Contact Us form (please referrence the order #).

03 SmallBiZ Agents Changes - SmallBiZAgents.com

If you wish to make changes to your Forwarding address for your Registered Agent services account or Mail Forwarding Account, you can do this online by going to smallbizagents.com

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