Change of S-Corp name

Do you have to get a new social security number if you change your name?

No, it's the same entity and uses the same EIN.

___ Stu

Nothing wrong with Stu's response. Here's a handy dandy page from the IRS called Do You Need A New EIN?:

can it use the same EIN?

Without changing the name of your corp, you could also use a DBA ("doing business as") for the new name, check your local government site for how to register a fictitious business name (DBA).

You may if you go into the witness protection program. Besides, the rules of corporations may not apply to individuals (the famous corporations are not people controversy applies to whether the 14th and other amendments ought to apply to corporations).

I was just thinking of an issue that comes up a lot for me. People will often tell me that they need to change their trust because they are buying a new house. They don't need to change their trust in that situation any more than they would need to amend their birth certificate when they bought a house in their own name.

___ Stu

What do you do when the trustee changes? Property is titled as "Stuart, trustee of the Stuart living trust". What happens with title when Son-of-Stuart becomes the trustee?

That's normally specified in the trust already. If you run out of trustees named in the trust you go into court and get one appointed that way. But normally you only need to change the terms of a trust when you change who you want as successor trustee or where you want your property to go when you pass away.

___ Stu

"Chuck" wrote

Corporate name changes are done at the state level, with the state corporations board, secretary of state, or whatever office handles that. Fees apply, you can count on it.

The EIN stays the same. Your state numbers (withholding, sales tax, etc) should remain the same, but check with the various state and local agencies just to be sure.

When you file returns, check the box that says "Name Change" (on the 1120S). Other state forms probably have similar boxes, maybe with some other info requested. Expect the IRS to ask for the paperwork from the state that approved the name change. At least that's been my experience. Don't know what the other state agencies may want to see, but I doubt it's draconian.

Excellent, guys, thanks very much.