Report your business address change to the IRS using Form 8822-B, which takes 15 minutes to complete and reaches the IRS in 4 to 6 weeks by mail

When your business moves, the IRS needs to know the new address so correspondence reaches you and your tax records stay linked to the right location. You report this change on Form 8822-B (Change of Address), which you mail directly to the IRS service center that handles your state. The form itself is straightforward — it asks for your old address, new address, entity type (sole proprietor, partnership, S-corp, C-corp, or LLC), and the date you moved. Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks after the IRS receives it.

If you file taxes through a tax professional or use accounting software, you can ask your preparer to file the form on your behalf. Some software platforms like TurboTax and H&R Block let you update your address directly in the system when you file your next return, which automatically notifies the IRS. However, if you need the address changed before your next filing, Form 8822-B is the direct route.

Key Takeaways

  • Form 8822-B is the official form the IRS uses to record a business address change, and you mail it to the service center for your state, not to a general IRS office.
  • You need the old address, new address, your EIN or SSN, business entity type, and the effective date of the move before you start the form.
  • Mail the form at least 30 days before you need the address active in IRS records, because processing takes 4 to 6 weeks.
  • Your tax preparer or accountant can file the form for you, or you can mail it yourself — both routes are equally valid.
  • Updating your address in tax software when you file your next return also notifies the IRS, but only works if you are filing soon.

What you need before you start Form 8822-B

Gather these documents and details before you open the form. You will need your Employer Identification Number (EIN) if your business is a partnership, S-corp, C-corp, or LLC. If you are a sole proprietor with no EIN, use your Social Security Number instead. Have your old business address and new business address written down exactly as they appear on your lease, business license, or other official documents.

Write down the date you moved or the date the new address becomes official for tax purposes — this is the "effective date" the form asks for. If you moved on March 15, that is your effective date. Know your business entity type: sole proprietor, partnership, S-corporation, C-corporation, or LLC. This matters because the IRS tracks different entity types in different systems, and getting it wrong can delay processing.

How to complete and mail Form 8822-B

read Form 8822-B from IRS.gov or request a copy by phone at 1-800-829-3676. The form has two pages but only the first page requires your input. Fill in your name or business name on line 1. On line 2, enter your SSN or EIN. On line 3, check the box for your entity type — sole proprietor, partnership, S-corp, C-corp, or LLC.

On line 4, enter your old address exactly as it appears in IRS records. On line 5, enter your new address. On line 6, enter the effective date of the move in MM/DD/YYYY format. Leave line 7 blank unless you are reporting a name change at the same time (most people are not). Sign and date the form on page 2. You do not need to notarize it.

Mail the completed form to the IRS service center for your state. The address depends on where you live — for example, if you are in California, you mail to Fresno; if you are in New York, you mail to Holtsville. The form itself lists all state-by-state addresses on page 2, or you can find them on IRS.gov under "Where to File." Use regular mail, not certified mail — the IRS does not require a signature.

When to use your tax preparer instead of mailing the form yourself

If you work with a CPA, tax attorney, or enrolled agent, ask them to file Form 8822-B for you. They have the form in their system and can submit it electronically in some cases, which is faster than mail. They also catch common errors — like mismatched entity types or dates — before the form reaches the IRS. If you are already paying for tax preparation, this is usually a small add-on or included in your service.

Tell your preparer the old address, new address, and effective date. They will handle the rest. This route works well if you are moving mid-year and do not want to wait 4 to 6 weeks for mail processing. It also creates a paper trail in your tax file showing when you reported the change.

Updating your address through tax software at filing time

If you use TurboTax, H&R Block, or similar software to file your own taxes, you can update your business address in the software when you file your return. The software will ask for your current address and automatically notify the IRS as part of your return submission. This works only if you are filing your return soon — within the next few weeks or months.

The advantage is speed: the address change reaches the IRS when your return does, usually within 2 to 3 weeks of e-filing. The disadvantage is that you cannot use this method if you need the address changed before you file. If your business moved in January but you do not file until April, you have a 3-month gap where the IRS still has the old address. In that case, mail Form 8822-B now and update the address again in the software when you file.

What happens after you mail the form

The IRS receives your form and enters it into the system for your entity type. Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks. During that time, any mail the IRS sends — notices, refund checks, correspondence about your account — may still go to the old address if it was already in the mail queue. This is normal and does not mean the form did not work.

After 6 weeks, check your IRS online account (through IRS.gov if you have an individual account, or through your business tax software if you have an EIN) to confirm the address has updated. If you do not see the change after 8 weeks, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 and provide your SSN or EIN. They can verify the form was received and check the status manually.

Common mistakes that delay address changes

The most common error is mismatching your entity type. If you check "S-corporation" but the IRS has you on file as an LLC, the form goes to the wrong system and gets delayed. Double-check your business structure before you mail. Another mistake is entering the address in a different format than the IRS has on file — for example, writing "Street" instead of "St" or including an apartment number differently. Copy your address exactly from your most recent IRS notice or tax return.

Mailing the form to the wrong service center also happens. Each state has one address; mailing to a general IRS office adds weeks to processing. Use the state-by-state list on Form 8822-B page 2 or verify on IRS.gov before you mail. Finally, some people forget to sign the form or leave the effective date blank. The IRS will reject unsigned forms and send them back, adding another 2 to 3 weeks to the timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to notify the IRS if I moved but my mailing address stayed the same?

Yes, if your business physical location changed, report it on Form 8822-B even if mail still goes to a PO box or virtual address. The IRS tracks your actual business location for audit and compliance purposes. If you only changed your mailing address but not your business location, you can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 instead of mailing the form.

How long does it take the IRS to process Form 8822-B?

Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks after the IRS receives the form by mail. If your tax preparer files it electronically, it may process in 2 to 3 weeks. If you update your address in tax software when you file your return, the change is recorded when your return is processed, usually within 2 to 3 weeks of e-filing.

What if I moved multiple times in one year?

File a separate Form 8822-B for each move, with the effective date for each address change. Mail them in the order the moves happened. The IRS will process them in sequence and your account will reflect the most recent address after all forms are processed.

Can I change my address online through my IRS account?

Not for business addresses. Individual taxpayers can update their address in their IRS online account, but business address changes must go through Form 8822-B or your tax preparer. The IRS does not offer an online portal for business address updates.

What if the IRS sends mail to my old address after I filed the form?

This can happen if mail was already in the queue when your form was processed. Do not worry — it does not mean the address change failed. After 6 weeks, the IRS should have the new address in the system. If you receive important notices at the old address, contact the sender and provide your new address, or call the IRS to confirm the change went through.