How to change your address with the IRS
You can change your address with the IRS by entering it on your next tax return before filing, filing Form 8822, calling the agency, or sending written notice; businesses use Form 8822-B instead. This matters because the IRS sends refunds, notices, and other correspondence to whatever address it has on file, so an outdated one can delay your refund or cause you to miss a deadline you didn't know was coming.
Below, we'll cover each method step by step, what information to have ready, how long the IRS says it takes, mistakes worth avoiding, and how GOV+ can help with the process.
Why updating your IRS address matters
An outdated address can delay your refund and puts you at risk of missing IRS mail you didn't know was coming, such as an audit notice or a balance-due letter. The IRS treats the address on file as correct, so a response deadline still applies even if the mail went to your old place.
It's a common assumption that filing a change of address with USPS covers this automatically. It doesn't. USPS mail forwarding is a postal service, not an update to your IRS taxpayer record, and the IRS notes that not all post offices forward government checks. The two systems don't talk to each other, so the IRS update has to happen separately.
What you need before you update your address
Have this information ready before you start, regardless of which method you use.
For individuals:
- Full legal name (and any prior names used on past returns)
- Old mailing address
- New mailing address
- Social Security number, ITIN, or EIN
- Signature (for written notice or Form 8822)
For joint filers:
- The information above for both spouses
- Both spouses' Social Security numbers and signatures
- If you're now living separately from a spouse you filed jointly with, note that on the update as well
How to change your address with the IRS
There's one method that only works before you file, and three that work anytime.
Update your address on a tax return
If you haven't filed your current-year return yet, the simplest option is to enter your new address directly on it. The IRS updates its records from the address listed on the return you file. This only works before filing; it's not a fix if you've already submitted your return for the year.
Use Form 8822
Form 8822, Change of Address, is the IRS's dedicated form for individuals. It asks for your name, Social Security number, old address, and new address, plus a signature.
Fill it out carefully and double-check both addresses before mailing it in. Download the form directly from IRS.gov to make sure you're using the current version. According to the IRS, address changes generally take about 4 to 6 weeks to process.
Notify the IRS by phone
You can call 1-800-829-1040, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time, to update your address by phone. Be ready to verify your identity, since the IRS will ask for details like your name, SSN, and old address before making any changes to your account.
Notify the IRS in writing
You can also send a signed, written statement to the IRS with your name, SSN or ITIN, old address, and new address. If you filed a joint return, the IRS asks that you include the information and signatures for both spouses. A local Taxpayer Assistance Center can also help by appointment, though its role is mainly identity verification and general account help rather than a dedicated address-change process, so written notice or Form 8822 is the more direct route.
Special cases
Joint filers
If you filed a joint return, the IRS asks that both spouses' information and signatures be included on the update, whether you're using Form 8822 or written notice. If you're now establishing a separate residence from the spouse you filed with, Form 8822 has a box to note that.
Business address changes
Businesses don't use Form 8822. According to the IRS, Form 8822-B is used to report a change to your business mailing address, business location, or responsible party. If your responsible party changes, the IRS requires that update within 60 days.
How long it takes
The IRS states that address changes generally take about 4 to 6 weeks to process, whether you filed Form 8822, called, or sent written notice. That's an estimate, not a guarantee, so don't wait until the week before a filing deadline to make the change.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming USPS forwarding is enough. It reroutes mail; it doesn't update your IRS record, and the IRS notes that not every government check gets forwarded.
- Using Form 8822 for a business. Businesses need Form 8822-B instead.
- Forgetting your spouse's information on a joint return. Both names, SSNs, and signatures are generally required.
- Assuming the IRS updates your address automatically after a move. Outside of entering it on a return you're about to file, it only updates when you tell it through one of the methods above.
Getting your address change handled without the guesswork
Updating your address with the IRS is not complicated once you know which form applies and what information to have on hand, but small errors, like a mismatched SSN or a missing signature, can slow the 4 to 6 week processing window down even further. That's the part most people trip up on.
If you are working through an address change, here's how GOV+ can help:
- GOV+ auto-fills the right forms for USPS, IRS, SSA, VA, and more with your new address — you review, sign, and send.
- Your kit arrives pre-sorted by agency, with each form bundled with its own prepaid, pre-addressed envelope and step-by-step instructions.
- Real-time tracking keeps you updated on every agency, from kit delivery to confirmation received.
Some of the additional benefits that come with a GOV+ subscription:
- Digital vault: upload your documents once and GOV+ pre-fills every future form automatically.
- Document shield: if your documents are lost, stolen, or damaged, replacement kits are ready when you need them.
- Identity protection: GOV+ monitors for fraud and alerts you instantly.
Ready to get started? Change your address with GOV+.
FAQ
Can I change my address with the IRS online?
Not through a standalone online form. If you haven't filed your current-year return yet, you can enter your new address on it before submitting. Otherwise, you'll need Form 8822, a phone call, or written notice.
How long does it take the IRS to update my address?
According to the IRS, about 4 to 6 weeks from the time you submit Form 8822, call, or send written notice.
Do I need Form 8822 if I already filed?
Form 8822 is the IRS's dedicated form for changing your address, but it's not the only option once you've filed. You can also call the IRS or send written notice with the same information.
Does USPS forwarding update my IRS address?
No. USPS mail forwarding is separate from your IRS taxpayer record, and the IRS notes that forwarding doesn't reliably cover all government mail. You need to notify the IRS directly through one of the methods in this guide.
What if I moved after filing my return?
File Form 8822, call 1-800-829-1040, or send written notice with your old and new address. Don't wait for your next tax season to update it if you're expecting refunds or IRS correspondence in the meantime.
Do businesses use Form 8822 or Form 8822-B?
Businesses use Form 8822-B, not Form 8822. It covers changes to a business mailing address, business location, or responsible party, and responsible party changes must be reported within 60 days. If you need help with filling out the paperwork, GOV+ can help you do so without the guesswork
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