Change Texas LLC name
You can change the name of a Texas LLC by filing a certificate of amendment with the secretary of state. Read the step-by-step instructions below:
Official Texas form to change LLC name
Fill up the LLC amendment form and mail it to the Texas secretary of state to change an LLC's name.
Amendment form
What is an LLC?
Limited Liability Company
LLC is a business entity in the U.S that provides limited liability to its members. It has characteristics from both corporation and sole proprietorship. LLCs are permitted under State statutes of each US state.
Limited liability
Personal assets are protected for people with limited liability when they are sued.
Corporation
A business entity that can issue shares and give limited liability to shareholders.
Members
Owners of an LLC are referred to as members. They own membership interest in the LLC.
Sole proprietorship
Where an individual engages in business activity without formal organization.
Types of LLC
Depends on the number of members and whether it has elected to change its IRS classification.
Single-member LLC
Has only a single member. IRS considers it as a sole proprietorship for tax purposes.
LLC as C-corp
Owners of an LLC are referred to as members. They own membership interest in the LLC.
Multi-member LLC
Has two members. IRS considers it as a partnership for tax purposes.
LLC as S-corp
A special election for a maximum of 100 US shareholders.
Actions
Step-by-step instructions
How to change an LLC name in Texas?
Check the steps below:
1. Choose a new name
Before you proceed with changing your existing LLC name, make sure to find a new LLC name that suits your business.
Ensure the name follows the state's LLC naming guidelines. See them in detail below.
Search for possible names through the state's business entity search tool. Make sure the name you pick is available.
2. Reserve the new name (optional)
Optionally, you can reserve a name with the state. You can do so by paying reservation fees to the Texas secretary of state.
Reservation fee
$40
Reservation period
120 days
3. File certificate of amendment
You may fill and file a certificate of amendment for the LLC with the secretary of state via mail to update the state of the new name.
Filing fees
$150
Address
Secretary of State
P.O. Box 13697
Austin, TX 78711-3697
512 463-5555
4. Update your operating agreement
Make note of the name change in your operating agreement and update accordingly.
5. Update state and federal government records
Check all the government records, including tax registrations, employer records, etc and update your new name.
6. Inform your business contacts
Make sure you update your bank, vendors, customers and other related parties with your LLC's new name
Entity name
Every LLC should have a unique name in Texas. Texas maintains a list of names of entities in the state. Go through it to check if your chosen name is available.
Search for names
Go to the official website of the Texas taxable entity search tool to see if the name you want is available.
Searching fee
Free
Reservation
You can reserve a name for your LLC for a specific duration by paying reservation fees to the Texas corporations section. You will have to file your LLC formation documents within this period to keep the name. Alternatively, you can directly go ahead with the LLC formation without any reservation. That's fine too.
Reservation fee
$40
Reservation period
120 days
LLC naming guidelines
The name you choose for your LLC must the official naming guidelines.
Texas Business Organizations Code §5.054
Visit
Here are some of the guidelines in simple language:
- 1
Must contain: the phrase "limited liability company" or "limited company"; or an abbreviation of one of those phrases.
- 2
Don’t include terms that indicate that you are doing an activity that you are not authorised to do.
- 3
Your name should be ‘distinguishable’ in the Secretary of State records. Adding a punctuation or ‘the’ does not make it distinguishable.
- 4
Don’t use words that makes it seems like you are a governmental entity or has an affiliation.
Annual report
Every taxable entity in Texas must 2 reports: franchise tax report and a public information report.
Public Information Report (PIR)
Information reports are used to make details about your LLC public.
Filing fee
$0
Yearly filing due date
annually by May 15
Franchise tax report
Depending on how much franchise tax is to be paid, an LLC file one of these forms:
Filing fee
$0
Yearly filing due date
annually by May 15
No tax due form
Texas LLCs don't have to pay tax if :
LLC doesn't conduct business in Texas
Sole proprietor
Total revenue is below threshold
Tax threshold
Exemptions from franchise tax
Exemptions
EZ computation form
File this form if the revenue of the LLC is between the threshold and $20 million. That is, file the EZ computation form if :
Total revenue above threshold
Tax threshold
But, total revenue below $20 million
Long form Texas franchise tax
Texas LLCs that have a total revenue more than the EZ computation threshold of $20 million have to file the long form franchise tax.
Note
Texas charges a $50 penalty for failure to file on time (whether or not you have tax due). Additionally, a late tax payment is subject to a 5% penalty fee, which increases to 10% if you pay after 30 days.
Frequently asked questions
Related steps in Texas
LLC in Texas is a powerful entity for entrepreneurs. After the formation, you may have to add a member, remove a member or change registered agents. Read how to do these actions.
Texas LLC
Texas LLC add member
Texas LLC remove member