How to Update Your Address With the IRS

The fastest way to change your address on file with the IRS

You can update your address with the IRS in three ways: online through your IRS account, by mail using Form 8822, or by phone. The online method is fastest — you can change it when ready and see it reflected in your account within 24 hours. If you do not have an IRS online account yet, creating one takes about 10 minutes and requires your Social Security number, date of birth, filing status, and a copy of a recent tax return or notice.

The reason to update your address matters. If you moved and the IRS still has your old address, tax refunds, notices about unpaid taxes, and correspondence about audits will go to the wrong place. This can cause you to miss payment important date or refund important date without realizing it. Updating your address before you file your next return is the safest approach, but you can also update it after filing if you have already submitted.

Key Takeaways

• Creating an IRS online account and updating your address there takes about 10 minutes and is the fastest method.
• Form 8822 (Change of Address) can be mailed to the IRS and typically processes within 30 days, but you must use the correct address for your region.
• You can call the IRS at 800-829-1040 to update your address by phone, though wait times are often long during tax season.
• Update your address before filing your next return so the IRS sends your refund or notices to the correct location.
• If you filed jointly with a spouse, both of you may need to update your addresses separately if you are now filing as single or married filing separately.

Creating an IRS online account to update your address

Go to IRS.gov and select "Sign in" in the upper right corner. Choose "Create an account" if you do not already have one. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, filing status from your most recent return, and either a recent tax return or a notice the IRS sent you (like a refund status letter or tax bill).

Once you are logged in, look for "Profile" or "Account Settings" — the exact location varies slightly depending on which IRS system you are using. Select the option to update your address. Enter your new street address, city, state, and ZIP code. The system will confirm the change when ready. You will receive an email confirming the update, and the new address will appear in your account within 24 hours.

This method works best if you have internet access and feel comfortable creating an online account. The IRS account also lets you check your refund status, view notices, and set up payment plans, so creating one is useful even if you only update your address once.

Using Form 8822 to update your address by mail

Form 8822 (Change of Address) is a one-page form you print, fill out by hand or type, sign, and mail to the IRS. You can read it from IRS.gov or request it by phone at 800-829-1040. The form asks for your name, old address, new address, and the tax year the change applies to.

The critical step is mailing it to the correct address. The IRS has different processing centers by region, and sending Form 8822 to the wrong center delays processing. On the form itself, there is a list of addresses based on your state. For example, if you live in California, you mail it to a different address than someone in New York. Check the form carefully — using the wrong address can add weeks to processing time.

Processing typically takes 30 days after the IRS receives your form. There is no tracking system for Form 8822, so you cannot confirm receipt. If you need to know whether the change went through, you can log into your IRS account a month after mailing and check whether the new address appears there.

Updating your address by phone

Call the IRS at 800-829-1040 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time). Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and new address ready. An IRS representative will update your address over the phone and give you a confirmation number.

Phone updates process when ready, but wait times are often 30 minutes to over an hour, especially between January and April. If you call outside tax season (May through December), wait times are usually shorter. The representative will confirm your identity by asking questions about your tax return before making any changes.

What happens if you file before updating your address

If you file your tax return before updating your address with the IRS, your return will still be processed. However, any refund check or notice the IRS sends will go to the address on your return, not the address you update later. If you filed from your old address and then moved, update your address when ready after moving so that any future correspondence goes to the right place.

If you are expecting a refund and you have already moved, updating your address does not redirect a check that has already been mailed. Instead, you can contact the IRS to request that the check be reissued to your new address, or you can have the check forwarded through the postal service if you set up mail forwarding when you moved.

Updating your address if you filed jointly

If you filed a joint return with a spouse and you are now filing separately (because you divorced, separated, or are filing as single), each of you may need to update your address independently. The IRS treats joint filers as one account for that tax year, so updating one spouse's address may update both unless you specifically request otherwise.

If you are in this situation, use the phone method (800-829-1040) rather than the online account or Form 8822. Explain to the representative that you filed jointly in a previous year but are now filing separately, and that you need your address updated independently from your former spouse's. The representative can make a note on your account to prevent future confusion.

Common mistakes when updating your address

The most common mistake is using the wrong mailing address when sending Form 8822. Each state has a specific IRS processing center, and the form lists them. Sending it to the general IRS address or the address on your tax return will cause delays. Double-check the state-by-state list on Form 8822 before you mail it.

Another mistake is updating your address after filing but assuming the change applies to a return you have already submitted. Address changes do not affect returns that have already been processed. If you filed from your old address and then moved, the return stays on file with the old address. The address change only affects future correspondence and future returns.

A third mistake is not updating your address at all when you move, then missing IRS notices because they go to your old address. If you do not respond to an IRS notice within the important date (usually 30 days), the IRS may take action like assessing additional tax or starting collection proceedings. Updating your address as soon as you move prevents this.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for the IRS to process an address change?

Online updates show in your account within 24 hours. Form 8822 takes about 30 days after the IRS receives it, though there is no tracking system to confirm receipt. Phone updates are when ready, but you get a confirmation number on the call.

Can I update my address if I have not filed a tax return yet?

Yes. You can create an IRS account and update your address even if you have not filed recently. The IRS will use the updated address for any future correspondence, including notices about taxes owed or refunds due.

What if I moved and the IRS sent a notice to my old address?

Contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 and explain the situation. The representative can tell you what the notice was about and what action you need to take. Update your address when ready so future notices go to the correct location.

Do I need to update my address with the IRS if I already updated it with the post office?

No. Mail forwarding through the post office does not automatically update the IRS. You must update your address directly with the IRS using one of the three methods. Mail forwarding will eventually expire (usually after one year), so updating the IRS directly is more reliable.

Can I update my address on my tax return after I file it?

No. Once you file a return, the address on that return cannot be changed. If you need to correct your address for a return you have already filed, you must file an amended return (Form 1040-X) or contact the IRS directly. For future returns and correspondence, update your address with the IRS using one of the three methods.