Keeping your business’s information updated: IRS Form 8822-B
September 14, 2023How to Fill Out IRS Form 8822-B and Why It Matters
If you run a business, you may need to file IRS Form 8822-B to report any changes in your responsible party or mailing address. This form helps the IRS keep track of your tax obligations and contact you when necessary. In this article, we’ll explain what IRS Form 8822-B is, who needs to file it, when to file it, and how to fill it out correctly.
Table of Contents
- What is IRS Form 8822-B?
- Who needs to file IRS Form 8822-B?
- When to file IRS Form 8822-B?
- How to fill out IRS Form 8822-B?
- Where to mail IRS Form 8822-B?
- What happens if you don’t file IRS Form 8822-B?
What is IRS Form 8822-B?
IRS Form 8822-B is a form that businesses use to notify the IRS of any changes in their mailing address or the identity of their responsible party. A responsible party is the person who has a level of control over, or entitlement to, the funds or assets in the entity that, as a practical matter, enables the individual, directly or indirectly, to control, manage, or direct the entity and the disposition of its funds and assets. The responsible party can be an individual or an entity, depending on the type of business.
Who needs to file IRS Form 8822-B?
According to the IRS instructions, you must file Form 8822-B if you are:
- A business that has changed its mailing address or the address where it receives its tax forms and notices.
- A business that has changed its identity of its responsible party.
- A representative signing for the taxpayer.
You do not need to file Form 8822-B if you are:
- An individual who has changed your home address. You should use Form 8822 instead.
- A business that has changed its name. You should use Form 1120, 1120-S, 1065, or 1065-B instead.
- A business that has changed its location or added locations. You should use Form 8821 instead.
When to file IRS Form 8822-B?
You should file Form 8822-B within 60 days of the change in your mailing address or responsible party. If you are a representative signing for the taxpayer, you should file Form 8822-B within 60 days of your appointment. If you are filing late, you should explain the reason for the delay in Part III of the form.
How to fill out IRS Form 8822-B?
Form 8822-B is a one-page form that consists of three parts. Here are the steps to fill out each part:
- Part I: Identification. In this part, you need to provide your basic information, such as your business name, employer identification number (EIN), old mailing address, and new mailing address. If you are changing both your mailing address and your responsible party, you need to check both boxes in line 1. If you are changing only one of them, check the appropriate box.
- Part II: Change in Responsible Party. In this part, you need to provide information about your old and new responsible parties. You need to fill out this part only if you checked the box for “Change in responsible party” in Part I. You need to enter the name, SSN or EIN, and phone number of both the old and new responsible parties. You also need to enter the date of the change and the capacity of the new responsible party.
- Part III: Signature. In this part, you need to sign and date the form. You also need to enter your name, title, and phone number. If you are filing late, you need to explain the reason for the delay in the space provided.
Here is an example of how to fill out Form 8822-B:
| Part I: Identification | |
| 1. Check appropriate boxes for the changes you are reporting (check both boxes if applicable): | Change in mailing address Change in responsible party |
| 2. Business name: | ABC Inc. |
| 3. Employer identification number (EIN): | 12-3456789 |
| 4a. Old mailing address (no., street, apt., suite no., city or town, state, and ZIP code): | 123 Main St., Apt. 4, Seattle, WA 98101 |
| 4b. New mailing address (no., street, apt., suite no., city or town, state, and ZIP code): | 456 Elm St., Suite 100, Redmond, WA 98052 |
| Part II: Change in Responsible Party | |
| Complete this part only if you checked the box for “Change in responsible party” on line 1. | |
| 5a. Name of old responsible party: | Jane Doe |
| 5b. Social security number (SSN) or employer identification number (EIN) of old responsible party: | XXX-XX-XXXX |
| 5c. Phone number of old responsible party: | (206) 555-1234 |
| 6a. Name of new responsible party: | John Smith |
| 6b. Social security number (SSN) or employer identification number (EIN) of new responsible party: | XXX-XX-XXXX |
| 6c. Phone number of new responsible party: | (425) 555-5678 |
| 7. Date of change (MM/DD/YYYY): | 09/01/2023 |
| 8. Capacity of new responsible party: | President and CEO |
| Part III: Signature | |
| Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this form and any accompanying statements, and to the best of my knowledge and belief, they are true, correct, and complete. | |
| Signature: John Smith Date: 09/14/2023 Name: John Smith Title: President and CEO Phone number: (425) 555-5678 If you are filing late, explain the reason for the delay here: N/A |
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Where to mail IRS Form 8822-B?
Once the form is complete, it’s time to mail it. Where is the best destination? Well, that depends on where your business is located and what type of tax return you file. The IRS has different addresses for different regions and tax forms, so you need to check the instructions for Form 8822-B to find the right one for you. You can also visit the IRS website and use the “Where to File Paper Tax Returns” tool to look up the address based on your zip code and tax form. Just make sure you mail your form at least 60 days before the due date of your tax return or any other tax-related correspondence.
What happens if you don’t file IRS Form 8822-B?
Now, you might be thinking, what’s the big deal if I don’t file Form 8822-B? Well, it could cause some problems for you and your business down the road. For one thing, the IRS might not be able to reach you if they have any questions or issues with your tax return or account. That could lead to delays, penalties, or even audits. For another thing, you might miss out on important notices or updates from the IRS that could affect your tax situation. For example, you might not get a notice of a change in your tax rate, a new tax law, or a refund check. That could result in overpaying or underpaying your taxes, or missing a deadline or an opportunity. So, it’s better to be safe than sorry and file Form 8822-B as soon as possible if you have any changes in your business address or responsible party.
