Moving can be exciting – new surroundings, new adventures! But amidst the packing and unpacking, one crucial task often gets overlooked: notifying the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of your new address. Ignoring this simple step can lead to a cascade of headaches, from missed tax refunds to important notices going astray.
So, ready to conquer this essential post-move chore? Let's dive in and ensure your tax affairs stay perfectly in order!
Why Changing Your Address with the IRS is Crucial
Before we get into the "how-to," let's briefly touch upon why this is so important. The IRS sends various communications, including:
- Tax refunds: If you're due a refund, it will be mailed to the address on file.
- Notices and letters: These could relate to audits, discrepancies, or other vital information.
- Information about new tax laws or programs: Staying informed is key to tax compliance.
- Economic impact payments (stimulus checks): In certain situations, these might be mailed.
If the IRS doesn't have your current address, you risk missing out on these critical communications, which could lead to delays, penalties, or even identity theft concerns.
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| How To Change Address With The Irs |
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Address with the IRS
There are several ways to update your address with the IRS, offering flexibility based on your preference and situation. Let's explore each method in detail.
Step 1: Determine Your Situation – Individual or Business?
This is the very first question you need to ask yourself. The IRS has different forms and processes for individuals versus businesses.
Tip: Slow down when you hit important details.
- For Individuals: If you're moving your primary residence and only need to update your personal tax records, you'll generally use Form 8822, Change of Address (For Individual, Gift, Estate, or Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Returns).
- For Businesses: If you're moving your business location or changing your business mailing address, you'll use Form 8822-B, Change of Address or Responsible Party — Business. This also applies if there's a change in the "responsible party" for the business.
Make sure you select the correct form to avoid unnecessary delays!
Step 2: Choose Your Preferred Method of Notification
The IRS offers a few ways to inform them of your address change. While some are more direct, it's wise to consider all options.
Sub-heading: Method 1: Filing a New Tax Return with Your Updated Address (Simplest for Future Filings)
If you move before filing your next tax return, this is often the easiest and most direct way to inform the IRS.
- Simply use your new address: When you prepare and file your annual tax return (e.g., Form 1040), ensure your new, current address is clearly entered in the appropriate fields.
- IRS updates records upon processing: The IRS will automatically update their records with your new address when they process your tax return.
Pros: This is integrated into a process you'd already be doing. Cons: It only updates your address after your return is processed, so if you move mid-year and need correspondence before filing, you might need another method.
Sub-heading: Method 2: Mailing the Appropriate IRS Change of Address Form (Most Common and Recommended)
This is the most common and generally recommended method, especially if you've moved after filing your last return or need the update processed sooner.
Tip: The details are worth a second look.
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Obtain the Correct Form:
- For Individuals: Download Form 8822, Change of Address, from the official IRS website (
www.irs.gov/form8822 - For Businesses: Download Form 8822-B, Change of Address or Responsible Party — Business, from the official IRS website (
www.irs.gov/Form8822B
- For Individuals: Download Form 8822, Change of Address, from the official IRS website (
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Fill Out the Form Carefully:
- Personal Information: Provide your full name, old address, and new address.
- Social Security Number (SSN), Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), or Employer Identification Number (EIN): Ensure these numbers are accurate as they are crucial for identification.
- Prior Names (if applicable): If you or your spouse changed your name due to marriage, divorce, etc., and that's linked to your tax records, include it.
- Joint Filers: If you filed a joint return and are still residing together, both spouses must provide their names, SSNs, new address, and signatures on the form. If you filed jointly but are now at separate addresses, each spouse should file a separate Form 8822.
- Business Specifics (Form 8822-B): For businesses, you'll need your business name, EIN, old mailing address, new mailing address, and potentially your new business location and information about any new responsible party.
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Sign and Date the Form:
- This is critical! An unsigned form will not be processed.
- For individuals, the taxpayer must sign and date.
- For businesses, the owner, an officer, or an authorized representative must sign. If a representative signs, they must attach a copy of their power of attorney (e.g., Form 2848).
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Mail the Form to the Correct IRS Address:
- DO NOT attach Form 8822 or 8822-B to your tax return. They should be mailed separately.
- The mailing address for these forms varies depending on your old home mailing address (for Form 8822) or old business address (for Form 8822-B).
- Carefully check the instructions provided with the form to find the specific IRS service center address for your region. Mailing it to the wrong address will cause delays.
- It is highly recommended to send the form via certified mail with a return receipt requested to have proof of mailing and delivery.
Processing Time: It generally takes four to six weeks for the IRS to process a change of address request submitted via form. You may receive a confirmation notice (Notices 148A and 148B for employment tax returns) at both your old and new addresses once the change is processed.
Sub-heading: Method 3: Written Statement (Alternative to Forms)
If you prefer not to use the specific forms, you can send a signed written statement to the IRS.
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Draft Your Statement:
- Include your full name.
- Your old address.
- Your new address.
- Your Social Security Number (SSN), Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), or Employer Identification Number (EIN).
- Your signature.
- If you filed a joint return and are still residing with the same spouse, both you and your spouse should provide your names, SSNs, new address, and signatures. If you filed jointly and now have separate addresses, each of you should notify the IRS individually.
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Mail Your Statement: Send your signed statement to the address where you filed your last tax return.
Pros: Simpler if you don't want to navigate a specific form. Cons: Might not be as clearly identifiable as a dedicated form, potentially leading to slightly longer processing times.
Sub-heading: Method 4: Oral Notification (By Phone or In Person)
While less common for a full address change, you can also notify the IRS by phone or in person.
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By Phone:
- Call the IRS toll-free number: 1-800-829-1040 (for individuals) or 1-800-829-4933 (for businesses).
- Be prepared to verify your identity and the address they have on file for you. You'll need your full name, old and new addresses, and SSN/ITIN/EIN. The IRS may request additional information for verification.
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In Person: Visit your local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC). You can find your nearest TAC and its operating hours on the IRS website. Be prepared to verify your identity.
Pros: Direct interaction, can ask questions immediately. Cons: Can involve long wait times, might not result in immediate record update, and it's always good to have a paper trail.
Tip: Don’t skim past key examples.
Step 3: Important Considerations for Specific Situations
- Children's Addresses: If your move also affects the mailing address for your children who filed income tax returns, you should complete and file a separate Form 8822 for each child.
- Authorized Representatives: If you are an authorized representative (e.g., an accountant or attorney) filing a form or written statement to change an address for a taxpayer, you must attach a copy of your power of attorney or Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative. The IRS will not accept address changes from unauthorized third parties.
- U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Notification: While notifying the USPS of your address change is important for mail forwarding, it does not automatically update your address with the IRS. Not all post offices forward government checks, so you must notify the IRS directly.
- Foreign Addresses: If you're moving to or from a foreign address, follow the instructions on Form 8822 or 8822-B carefully regarding the formatting of foreign addresses and postal codes. Do not abbreviate the country name.
- "In Care Of" Addresses: If you receive your mail in care of a third party (like an accountant), enter "C/O" followed by the third party's name and street address or P.O. box on the form.
Step 4: Keep Records!
After you've submitted your address change, it's paramount to keep good records.
- Make copies: Keep a copy of the completed Form 8822 or 8822-B, or your written statement, for your own records.
- Proof of mailing: If you send it via certified mail, keep the receipt and return receipt.
- Confirmation notices: If you receive a confirmation notice from the IRS, keep that as well.
This documentation can be invaluable if there's any dispute or delay in updating your address with the IRS.
Step 5: What to Expect After Your Address Change
As mentioned, it typically takes four to six weeks for the IRS to process an address change request. During this time, you should continue to monitor your mail at your old address (if mail forwarding is set up) and definitely at your new address. If you've been waiting longer than six weeks and haven't received any confirmation or correspondence at your new address, you may want to follow up with the IRS using the phone method.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to Check if the IRS Has My Current Address?
You can generally verify your address with the IRS by calling their toll-free number (1-800-829-1040 for individuals) and speaking to a representative. They will ask you to verify your identity and the address they have on file.
How to Change My Business Address with the IRS?
To change your business address with the IRS, you need to file Form 8822-B, Change of Address or Responsible Party — Business. This form also covers changes to your business location or responsible party.
QuickTip: Pay close attention to transitions.
How to Change My Address with the IRS for Tax Refunds?
The best way to ensure you receive your tax refund at your new address is to update your address with the IRS using Form 8822 (for individuals) or by including your new address on your next filed tax return. If your refund is sent before the address is updated, the USPS mail forwarding should ideally route it, but directly notifying the IRS is more reliable.
How to Change My Address with the IRS if I Filed a Joint Return and Am Now Separated?
If you filed a joint return but now have separate residences, each individual spouse should notify the IRS of their new, separate addresses by filing their own Form 8822.
How to Change My Address with the IRS if I Don't Have My Old Address Handy?
While it's ideal to have your old address, if you don't, provide the most recent address you used when filing a tax return. The IRS will use other identifying information (like your SSN) to locate your records.
How to Get Form 8822 or 8822-B?
You can download Form 8822 and Form 8822-B directly from the official IRS website (
How to Know Where to Mail Form 8822 or 8822-B?
The instructions included with Form 8822 and Form 8822-B provide specific mailing addresses based on your old home or business address. Always refer to the latest form instructions to ensure you send it to the correct IRS service center.
How to Change the Address for My Child Who Also Files Taxes?
You must file a separate Form 8822 for each child who has their own tax filing requirements and whose address has changed.
How to Change My Address with the IRS if I'm Living Abroad?
If you're moving to or from a foreign address, use Form 8822 and follow the specific instructions on the form for foreign addresses, ensuring you provide the full country name and postal code according to the country's practice.
How to Expedite an Address Change with the IRS?
Unfortunately, there's no official "expedited" process for address changes. The standard processing time is four to six weeks. Filing the correct form accurately and mailing it to the right address are the best ways to ensure it's processed as quickly as possible. Calling the IRS after the standard processing time has passed is the next step if you haven't received confirmation.
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