IRS Name Change, Made Simple
File Form 8822 free — we fill it out and tell you exactly where to mail it.
Changing your name with the Internal Revenue Service is done by mailing Form 8822 (Change of Address or Responsible Party — Individual). The IRS update is free and takes about 4-6 weeks. You must update your name with the Social Security Administration first, because the IRS verifies every name change against SSA records. If you only file taxes once a year, you can sometimes skip Form 8822 entirely — just file your next tax return under your new name and the IRS will sync from SSA. Business owners with an EIN file Form 8822-B instead.
IRS Name Change Quick Facts
The short version — everything you need to know about the IRS name change in one table.
| Form Required | Form 8822 (individuals) or Form 8822-B (business / EIN holders) |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee | Free |
| Processing Time | 4-6 weeks |
| How to Submit | Mail only — no online filing |
| Where to Mail | Depends on your state of residence (see Form 8822 instructions) |
| Prerequisite | Update Social Security first — IRS verifies against SSA records |
| Confirmation | None unless there's a problem — check future tax documents |
| Auto-update option | Filing your next tax return under your new name will sync the IRS via SSA in many cases |
How to Notify the IRS
Three steps. Update Social Security, then mail Form 8822 (or just wait until tax season — see step 3).
Step 1: Update Social Security First
The IRS verifies every name change against Social Security Administration records. If you mail Form 8822 before SSA has processed your new name, the IRS will reject it.
Visit your local Social Security office with your name change documents — a certified marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order — and complete Form SS-5 (Application for a Social Security Card). Bring a government-issued photo ID showing your prior name and your existing Social Security card if you have it.
Social Security typically processes name changes in 2-4 weeks. Your number stays the same; only the name on the card changes. There's no fee. Once the new card arrives, you're cleared to mail Form 8822 to the IRS.
Our complete Social Security name change guide walks you through every detail of the SSA visit.
Step 2: Fill Out and Mail Form 8822
Form 8822 is a two-page form that handles name changes and address changes for individuals. Complete the name change section, sign it, and mail it to the IRS processing center for your state of residence.
You'll need your Social Security number, your spouse's SSN if married filing jointly, your old name, your new name, and your current mailing address. The form also asks for verification information from your most recent tax return — the tax year, filing status, and refund or balance due amount.
Mailing addresses depend on your state of residence, not where you file your taxes. Most states route Form 8822 to the IRS processing center in Austin, Texas. Some go elsewhere — California residents mail to Fresno, New York residents use Holtsville. Always check the current Form 8822 instructions for the right address.
Common mistakes: forgetting to sign the form, using an outdated mailing address, or mailing it before Social Security has processed your update. Keep a copy for your records and consider sending it certified mail so you can track delivery.
NewLastName fills out Form 8822 for you automatically when you use our free name change tool. We pre-populate everything from your wizard data and tell you the exact mailing address for your state.
Step 3: Or Skip 8822 and Just File Your Next Tax Return
If you'd rather not mail Form 8822, you can file your next tax return under your new legal name and the IRS will pick up the change automatically when it cross-references with Social Security. This works for many filers — but only if SSA already has your new name on file.
The IRS doesn't strictly require Form 8822 for individuals — it requires that your name on your tax return match your Social Security record. If you've updated Social Security and you file your next 1040 under your new name, the IRS will sync.
That said, mailing Form 8822 is recommended if any of the following apply: you receive 1099s or W-2s from multiple sources (so payers have your new name on file before they issue the next year's documents), you make quarterly estimated tax payments (so payments are correctly attributed), or you've moved at the same time and want the IRS to update your address.
You don't need to amend any prior tax returns. Previously filed returns stay valid under your old name. The IRS connects your old and new identities through your Social Security number.
Also remember to update your Form W-4 with your employer so your paystubs and next year's W-2 reflect your new name. And contact any 1099 payers (clients, brokerages, banks) so future tax documents arrive under your new name.
Business Owners: Use Form 8822-B Instead
If you have an Employer Identification Number (EIN) — sole proprietors filing Schedule C, partners in a partnership, LLCs, S-corps, C-corps, trusts, and estates — you'll file Form 8822-B for the business. Sole proprietors filing under a personal name that's changing need both: Form 8822 for the individual return and Form 8822-B for the business.
Form 8822-B is the business version of the address/name change notice. It requires your EIN, the old and new business name, and the same identity verification details from your most recent business tax return. Mail it to the same IRS processing center as Form 8822 for your state. Processing takes 4-6 weeks, just like the individual form, and there's no fee.
If your business name change is also reflected on a state-level filing (e.g., an amended Articles of Organization or a DBA update), keep proof of the state filing with your records — the IRS may ask for it if there's any question about the name change.
What You'll Need
Form 8822 is self-contained — you don't attach any documents. But you do need the information below before you can fill it out.
- Form 8822 itself. Free download from irs.gov, or NewLastName fills it out for you free.
- Updated Social Security record. SSA must have processed your new name first. Wait 2-4 weeks after your SSA visit before mailing Form 8822.
- Your Social Security number and your spouse's SSN if you file jointly.
- Your most recent tax return. Form 8822 verifies your identity by asking for the tax year, filing status, and refund or balance due amount from your last filed return.
- Old name and new name exactly as they appear on your Social Security records.
- Current mailing address (and prior address if you've moved at the same time).
- For Form 8822-B: your business EIN, old business name, new business name, and the responsible party's name and SSN/ITIN.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an IRS name change take?
The IRS processes name changes in 4-6 weeks after receiving Form 8822. You won't get a confirmation letter unless there's a problem, so check future tax documents to verify your new name appears correctly.
Can I change my name with the IRS online?
No, the IRS doesn't offer online name changes. You must mail Form 8822 to the IRS processing center for your state. However, NewLastName fills out Form 8822 automatically and provides the correct mailing address for your location.
What if my name doesn't match my Social Security record?
The IRS will reject your name change if it doesn't match Social Security records. You must update your name with Social Security first, wait 2-4 weeks for processing, then submit Form 8822 to the IRS.
Do I need to update my past tax returns?
No, you don't need to amend past tax returns after changing your name. Previously filed returns remain valid under your old name. The IRS will update their records to connect your old and new names going forward.
Is there a fee to change my name with the IRS?
No, changing your name with the IRS is completely free. Form 8822 costs nothing to file, and you only need to pay for postage to mail it to the IRS processing center.
What if I moved and changed my name at the same time?
Use the same Form 8822 to notify the IRS of both your name and address changes. Complete both sections of the form and mail it to the IRS processing center for your new state of residence.
Should I notify the IRS before filing my next tax return?
Yes, notify the IRS as soon as possible after updating Social Security. This ensures your name change processes before tax season and prevents delays in processing your return or issuing refunds.
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Start Your Free Name ChangeLast verified 2026-04-26 · Not legal advice · Terms · Privacy