If your address has changed, you need to notify the IRS to ensure you receive any tax refunds or IRS correspondence. There are several ways to notify the IRS of an address change:
When Filing Your Tax Return
If you change your address before filing your return, enter your new address on your return when you file. When your return is processed, the IRS will update their records. Be sure to also notify your return preparer.
Notifying the Post Office
If you change your address after filing your return, you should notify the post office that services your old address. Because not all post offices forward government checks, you should also directly notify the IRS as described below.
By Form
To change your address with the IRS, you may complete a Form 8822, Change of Address, (For Individual, Gift, Estate, or Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Returns) (PDF).
In Writing
You may also write to inform us that your address is changing. Tell us you're changing your address by providing us your:
- full name
- old and new addresses
- social security number, individual taxpayer identification number, or employer identification number, and
- signature
Joint Filers - If you filed a joint return, you should provide the information and signatures for both spouses. Send your written address change information to the IRS addresses listed in the instructions to the tax forms you filed.
Separated - If you filed a joint return and you now have separate residences, each joint taxpayer should notify the IRS of your new, separate addresses.
Processing
It can take four to six weeks for a change of address request to be fully processed.