The fastest way to change your address with the IRS

You can change 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 update it when ready and see the change reflected in your account within hours. If you do not have an IRS online account, Form 8822 takes about four weeks to process by mail. Phone updates go through a representative but still take several weeks to show in the system.

Your address change applies to all your tax accounts at once — federal income tax, estimated payments, and any ongoing correspondence. The IRS will use the new address for future notices, refunds, and bills. If you have already filed a return from your old address, you do not need to file again; the IRS will forward mail or update their records based on your change request.

Key Takeaways

  • Update your address online through IRS.gov if you have an account; this is the fastest method and takes effect within hours.
  • Form 8822 (Change of Address) sent by mail takes four weeks and works if you do not have an online account or prefer paper filing.
  • Call the IRS at 800-829-1040 to change your address by phone, though the change will take several weeks to process.
  • Your address change covers all your tax accounts and applies to future correspondence, refunds, and notices from the IRS.
  • If you have a representative (tax professional, attorney, or power of attorney), they can file Form 8822 on your behalf.

Changing your address online through your IRS account

Go to IRS.gov and sign in to your account using your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, plus a password you create. If you do not have an account yet, you can create one in about 10 minutes. The IRS will ask you to verify your identity by answering questions about your tax history or by uploading a photo ID.

Once you are signed in, look for "Profile" or "Account Settings" in the menu. 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 see your updated address displayed in your account right away, though it may take a few hours for the change to sync across all IRS systems.

This method works for individual taxpayers only. If you need to change the address for a business tax account (EIN), you will need to use Form 8822-B instead.

Using Form 8822 to change your address by mail

Form 8822 is the official IRS form for changing your address. You can read it from IRS.gov, print it, fill it out by hand or type it, and mail it to the address listed on the form. The form asks for your name, old address, new address, and the tax year the change applies to. You must sign and date it.

Mail the form to the IRS office that serves your state. The address is printed on the form itself — do not send it to the main IRS office. Processing takes about four weeks from the date the IRS receives it. Keep a copy for your records.

You can also have a tax professional, attorney, or authorized representative file Form 8822 on your behalf if you give them power of attorney. They will need Form 2848 (Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative) signed by you.

Changing 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 filing status ready. A representative will ask you to confirm your identity by answering questions about your tax return.

Tell the representative your old address and new address. They will update your account over the phone. The change will be recorded in their system, but it takes several weeks for the update to appear in all IRS databases. You will not receive a confirmation letter, so write down the date and time of your call for your records.

Wait times can be long, especially during tax season (January through April). If you reach a busy signal, try calling early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

What happens after you change your address

The IRS will send all future mail to your new address. This includes tax refunds, notices of assessment, payment reminders, and audit letters. If you filed a return from your old address before changing it, the IRS may still send some mail to the old address for a few weeks while the system updates. Ask the new resident at your old address to write "Return to Sender — No Longer at This Address" on any IRS mail and put it back in the mail.

If you are expecting a refund, the IRS will mail it to your new address once the change is processed. If you have set up direct deposit for your refund, the address change does not affect it — your refund will go to your bank account on schedule.

If you have an outstanding tax bill or payment plan, your address change applies to that account as well. The IRS will send payment notices and statements to your new address.

Changing your address for a business or employer ID number

If you own a business and need to change the address associated with your Employer Identification Number (EIN), use Form 8822-B instead of Form 8822. This form is for business addresses only. read it from IRS.gov, fill it out with your EIN, old address, and new address, and mail it to the address on the form.

You can also change a business address by calling the IRS Business and Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933. Have your EIN ready. Processing takes about four weeks by mail or several weeks by phone.

What to do if mail is going to the wrong address

If you moved and the IRS is still sending mail to your old address, do not wait for the next piece of mail to arrive. Change your address right away using one of the three methods above. The sooner you update it, the sooner the IRS stops sending mail to the old address.

If you have already received a notice or bill at the old address and you are not sure whether the IRS knows about your move, change your address and then contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 to ask them to confirm the update. You can also include a note with your next tax return stating your new address.

If you are concerned about mail being intercepted or lost at your old address, you can file a change of address with the U.S. Postal Service as well. This is separate from the IRS change and will forward most mail, though some government mail may not be forwarded.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for the IRS to update my address?

Online updates take effect within hours. Form 8822 by mail takes about four weeks. Phone updates take several weeks. During tax season, processing may take longer. The IRS will use your new address for all future correspondence once the change is processed.

Do I need to change my address if I filed my return from my old address?

No, you do not need to file again. The IRS will still process your return. However, you should change your address so that any refund, notice, or future correspondence goes to your new location. If you are expecting a refund, change your address as soon as possible.

Can I change my address for just one tax year?

No. When you change your address with the IRS, it applies to all your tax accounts and all future years unless you change it again. If you moved temporarily, you can change it back to your original address once you return.

What if I do not have an IRS online account?

You can create one at IRS.gov in about 10 minutes, or you can use Form 8822 by mail instead. Creating an account is faster and lets you change your address when ready. You will also be able to view your tax transcripts and payment history online.

Can my tax professional change my address for me?

Yes, if you give them power of attorney using Form 2848. They can then file Form 8822 on your behalf. You must sign Form 2848 and give it to your representative before they can act on your behalf.