One of those letters, a CP148B, confirmed that the IRS had changed the business address, but the team had not sent Form 8822‑B for a new responsible party after a leadership shuffle. That simple miss kept payroll notices flowing to the wrong place.
You do not need that kind of distraction in peak season. The fix was straightforward, and with a little discipline, you can avoid the scramble.
Key Takeaways
- You use Form 8822‑B to update your business mailing address, physical business location, or your responsible party on IRS records. Responsible party changes must be reported within 60 days.
- Mail the form to the IRS service center that serves your old business address, either Kansas City, MO 64999 or Ogden, UT 84201, based on state.
- The IRS often sends CP148A and CP148B confirmation notices when employment tax addresses change. Filing the form keeps those going to the right place.
- Allow four to six weeks after receipt for the IRS to process an address change request. If you do not receive confirmation of a responsible party update within 60 days, send a second request.
- If an authorized representative signs for you, attach a Form 2848 Power of Attorney or the IRS will treat the submission as unauthorized.
Practical tip, treat the 8822‑B as part of your onboarding and offboarding checklist for executives, controllers, and entity managers. Move, merge, divest, update, then mail.
What Is IRS Form 8822‑B
Form 8822‑B is the IRS form businesses use to tell the Service that something fundamental has changed, your mailing address, your physical location, or the identity of your responsible party. The form applies to any entity that has an EIN, including corporations, partnerships, LLCs, trusts, estates, and exempt organizations. The IRS explicitly reminds filers that a responsible party change must be reported within 60 days.
Why it matters comes down to contact and control. The IRS directs notices to the last known address and looks to the responsible party when it needs an accountable human who controls the entity’s funds and assets. Keeping this data current helps you receive time‑sensitive letters and reduces avoidable penalties. The Service issues CP148A and CP148B notices to confirm certain business address changes, which is another reason to keep your records tight.
What “Responsible Party” Means
The IRS defines the responsible party as the individual who controls, manages, or directs the entity and its assets. For most entities, this must be a person, not another business. If that person changes, you report it on Form 8822‑B within 60 days. If you do not see a confirmation letter after 60 days, the IRS instructs you to mail a copy of your Form 8822‑B marked “Second Request.”
Who Must File Form 8822‑B
If your entity has an EIN, and you change your mailing address, physical location, or responsible party, you file Form 8822‑B. This includes corporations, partnerships, LLCs, trusts, estates, and tax‑exempt organizations. For address changes tied to employment tax accounts, expect CP148A and CP148B confirmation letters at both the old and new addresses, which you should retain in your records.
A quick nuance for exempt organizations. If you are already filing a Form 990 and you check the address change box on a timely return, that usually updates the IRS file for the organization. If the address changes after the return is filed, use Form 8822‑B.
When in doubt, file. The form is short, and it prevents misdirected notices that cost you time, focus, and client goodwill.
When You Need To File
Timing is clear, you report a change to the responsible party within 60 days. File the address and location changes promptly as well, then allow several weeks for processing. The IRS says an address change can generally take four to six weeks after receipt to complete. If you have not received confirmation of a responsible party update by day 60, send a copy of your 8822‑B labeled “Second Request.”
You will mail the form to the service center that serves your old business address. Most eastern states route to Kansas City, MO 64999, and most western states route to Ogden, UT 84201. The full state list is below, and it is current as of October 28, 2025.
Form 8822 vs. Form 8822‑B
Think of it this way. Individuals and certain non‑EIN situations use Form 8822 to change a home mailing address. Businesses and entities with an EIN use Form 8822‑B to update a business mailing address, a physical business location, or the responsible party. The IRS page for Form 8822 confirms it is aimed at home address changes, and it cross‑references 8822‑B for business updates.
Which One You Need
- Use Form 8822 if you are changing an individual address that lives on the Individual Master File.
- Use Form 8822‑B if your entity has an EIN and you need to update the business mailing address, physical location, or responsible party, and remember the 60‑day rule for the responsible party.
Exempt organizations can check the address change box on a timely Form 990. If the change happens after filing, use Form 8822‑B.
Information You Need Before You Start
Gather everything the IRS will match against its records. Confirm the legal name exactly as shown on your most recent return, and your EIN. Pull the old mailing address the IRS currently has, your new mailing address, and, if it changed, your new physical business location. For a responsible party change, have the new party’s full legal name and SSN or ITIN ready. If someone else will sign for you, secure an executed Form 2848 Power of Attorney.
Required Identifiers
- Legal name, entered exactly as on the last filed return.
- EIN, verified against your original IRS notice or recent return.
- Old and new mailing addresses, complete and consistent, apartment or suite included.
- New physical business location, if different from mailing.
- New responsible party’s name and SSN or ITIN, when applicable.
| Field | What to enter | Why it matters |
| Legal name | Exact name from your latest return | Ensures a clean IRS match |
| EIN | Digits exactly as assigned | Ties the change to the right account |
| Old address | The address the IRS currently has | Links to the master file |
| New address | The address for future IRS mail | Prevents misdirected notices |
| Location | Street address if different | Clarifies the business situs |
| Responsible party | Full legal name and SSN or ITIN | Satisfies the 60‑day update rule |
Step‑By‑Step Completion Guide
Form 8822‑B is brief, but precision matters. Complete only the sections that apply, write clearly, and keep identifiers consistent across the page.
- Select the types of mail you want redirected in Section 1, then move to the entity information.
- Enter your legal name and EIN in Section 4, exactly as filed.
- Enter the old mailing address in Section 5, then the new mailing address in Section 6.
- Enter the new physical location in Section 7 if it differs from your mailing address.
- Complete Sections 8 and 9 only if the responsible party changed, include the SSN or ITIN.
- Sign and date. If a representative signs, attach Form 2848. Mail to the service center for your old address.
Use a trackable mailing method and keep the proof of delivery with your EIN records. The IRS notes that address changes can take four to six weeks to process after receipt.
Section 1, Business Tax Return Mail
Check only the boxes for the business returns whose mail you want redirected, for example Forms 940, 941, 1065, 1120, 990, or 1041. Leave boxes blank if you do not want a return type redirected. Verify your business name and EIN match IRS records to avoid misapplied changes. File promptly to keep notices moving to the new address.
Section 2, Employee Plan Mail
Check Section 2 only if your address change affects plan filings such as Forms 5500 or 5500‑EZ, so that plan notices route to the correct destination. Keep plan mail separate if a third‑party administrator receives it.
Section 3, New Business Location
Use Section 3 to signal a physical move. The IRS expects a complete street address, not a P.O. Box, and you should still complete Section 7 with the full location details. Updating the situs helps the IRS route field contacts and compliance notices when those occur.
Sections 4–7, Name, EIN, Old and New Addresses
Accuracy in these lines drives the match to your account.
- Section 4, enter the legal name exactly as shown on your most recent return and the correct EIN.
- Section 5, enter the old mailing address that the IRS currently has on file.
- Section 6, enter the new mailing address in full, apartment or suite included.
- Section 7, enter your new physical business location if it differs from the mailing address.
If the post office does not deliver to your street address, a P.O. Box is acceptable for the mailing address. Keep the physical location on Section 7 for clarity.
Sections 8–9, Responsible Party Details
Complete Sections 8 and 9 only when the responsible party changes. Enter the old responsible party’s name, then the new responsible party’s full legal name and SSN or ITIN. The IRS emphasizes that responsible party changes must be reported within 60 days. If you have not received confirmation after 60 days, mail a copy labeled “Second Request.”
How To Sign And Authorize The Form
A person who can sign the entity’s tax return should sign Form 8822‑B, for example an officer, owner, partner, or trustee. If someone signs for you, attach Form 2848 or another valid authorization. The IRS states that unauthorized third parties cannot change a taxpayer’s address without a power of attorney.
If you need a POA quickly, the IRS supports online submission of Forms 2848 and 8821. That does not change the mailing requirement for Form 8822‑B, it simply authorizes the signer.
Real‑World Quality Checks We Use
- Compare the legal name and EIN to the last return header.
- Pull a transcript or a recent IRS notice to confirm the old address before you fill Section 5.
- Confirm the responsible party is a person, not another entity, and capture the SSN or ITIN.
- Save the signed form and proof of mailing in your permanent entity file.
Accountably note, when our teams help firms with onboarding or leadership changes, we include 8822‑B in the workflow along with POA updates. That structure keeps mail, notices, and decision rights aligned without dragging partners into rework. Use a similar checklist even if you keep filing in house.
Where To Mail Your Form, By State
You mail Form 8822‑B to the center that serves your old business address. Use the current state groupings below.
| States | Mail to |
| CT, DE, DC, GA, IL, IN, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, SC, VT, VA, WV, WI | Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service Center, Kansas City, MO 64999 |
| AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, FL, HI, ID, IA, KS, LA, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NM, ND, OK, OR, SD, TN, TX, UT, WA, WY, Outside the United States | Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service Center, Ogden, UT 84201 |
If you use a private delivery service, send to the IRS street address for the appropriate processing center. The Service lists those street addresses for Austin, Kansas City, and Ogden.
Processing Times And What To Expect
Address change requests generally take four to six weeks to process after the IRS receives them. Keep your proof of mailing with your EIN records. For responsible party changes, if you do not receive a confirmation letter within 60 days, the IRS instructs you to mail a copy of your Form 8822‑B and write “Second Request” on it.
- Use certified or other trackable mail and keep the receipt.
- Wait six to eight weeks before calling, since peak seasons can slow processing.
- Retain CP148A and CP148B letters that confirm business address changes for your files.
Common Mistakes To Avoid, With A Quick Checklist
Common misses we see in busy shops are simple and preventable.
- The legal name does not match the last filed return.
- The EIN is off by a digit.
- Section 5 shows the new address, not the old one on IRS file.
- Section 7 is blank even though the physical location changed.
- A representative signs without attaching Form 2848.
- A responsible party change is filed without the SSN or ITIN.
Quick checklist before you mail
- Verify legal name and EIN against your last return.
- Confirm the old address from an IRS notice or transcript.
- Enter the new mailing address, then the physical location if different.
- Include the new responsible party’s SSN or ITIN when applicable.
- Sign and date, attach Form 2848 if a representative signs.
- Mail to Kansas City or Ogden based on the old address, use a trackable method.
FAQs
What is Form 8822‑B used for
It updates a business’s mailing address, physical location, and the identity of the responsible party on IRS records. The responsible party update is time sensitive, report it within 60 days.
Can I file Form 8822‑B online
The IRS provides a PDF form and mailing addresses for Form 8822‑B, and it directs businesses to mail the form to the service center for the old address. There is no IRS e‑file system for 8822‑B at this time. If you need a representative to sign for you, you can submit Form 2848 online to authorize them, then mail the 8822‑B.
What is the difference between Form 8822 and 8822‑B
Use Form 8822 for an individual address change. Use Form 8822‑B for a business mailing address, physical location, or responsible party update for any entity with an EIN.
Will filing a Form 990 with a new address update my record
If an exempt organization checks the address change box on a timely Form 990, that generally updates the IRS record. If the change occurs after the return is filed, use Form 8822‑B.
How long will it take
Address change requests typically take four to six weeks after receipt. For responsible party changes, if you do not receive confirmation in 60 days, mail a copy as a “Second Request.”
Final Notes And Light CTA
You have one job here, keep the IRS master file aligned with your real world. Gather the right identifiers, fill the right boxes, sign with authority, mail to the correct center, and keep proof. If you run a team that is always on deadline, build 8822‑B into your onboarding, offboarding, and move checklists so it never becomes a fire drill again.
We help firms install that kind of discipline across compliance workflows. If you want structured support that keeps filings accurate and on time without adding partner review load, reach out to our team at Accountably. We can fold 8822‑B controls into your standard operating procedures so your mail and decision rights always match reality.