How to Change Your Address With the IRS

The fastest way to change your address on IRS records

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 right away. 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, and a filing status from a recent tax return.

The address you update applies to all your tax records going forward. If you have already filed a return from your old address, the IRS will still send notices and refunds to whichever address is current in their system when they mail them. This is why updating quickly matters — a notice sent to an old address can arrive weeks late or not at all.

Key Takeaways

You can update your address online through your IRS account, by mailing Form 8822, or by calling the IRS at 800-829-1040.
Online updates take effect when ready, while mailed forms take 4 to 6 weeks to process.
The address change applies to all future IRS correspondence, including refunds and notices.
If you filed a return from your old address, you may need to file an amended return (Form 1040-X) if the IRS sends a notice to the wrong address.
Married couples filing jointly need only one person to make the change — it updates both names on file.

Updating your address online through your IRS account

Go to IRS.gov and select "Sign in to your account" in the upper right corner. If you do not have an account, click "Create an account" and follow the prompts. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, filing status, and either a prior tax return or a copy of a filed return to verify your identity. The IRS will ask you to confirm information from your most recent return — usually your adjusted gross income or the amount of a refund.

Once you are signed in, look for "Profile" or "Account Settings" (the exact label varies by browser). Select "Address" and enter your new address. The system will ask you to confirm the change before saving. Your new address takes effect when ready and shows in your account right away. You will receive a confirmation email at the address on file.

This method works for individual tax returns. If you have a business tax ID (EIN) or file as a partnership or corporation, you cannot change the address through the online account — use Form 8822-B instead and mail it to the IRS.

Mailing Form 8822 to the IRS

Form 8822 is the official IRS form for address changes by mail. You can read it from IRS.gov or request a copy by calling 800-829-1040. Fill in your name, Social Security number, old address, and new address. You do not need to explain why you are moving — just complete the form and sign it.

Mail the form to the IRS address listed on the form itself, which varies by state. The form includes a table showing which address to use based on your state. Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks. During that time, the IRS may still send mail to your old address, so ask the new occupant to forward any IRS mail or contact the post office to request mail forwarding.

If you are married and file jointly, only one spouse needs to sign the form. If you file separately, each person must submit their own Form 8822. Keep a copy for your records.

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 current address ready. The representative will verify your identity by asking questions about your tax return, then update your address in the system.

Phone updates take effect within a few days. You will not receive written confirmation, so write down the representative's name and the time of your call in case you need to verify the change later. If you call near a tax important date or during tax season, wait times can be long — the online method or mailing a form may be faster.

What happens if you move before filing your return

If you have not yet filed your tax return for the year and you move, use your new address on the return itself. The IRS will use the address on the return as your current address, so you do not need to file a separate change-of-address form. This is the simplest scenario — just make sure the address on your return matches where you actually live.

If you file electronically, the address on your return is what matters. If you file by mail, make sure your return is legible and matches your current residence. The IRS will not process a change-of-address form for a return that has not been filed yet.

Updating your address for a prior-year return

If the IRS sent a notice to your old address and you did not receive it, update your address when ready using one of the three methods above. Then contact the IRS to ask about the notice. Call 800-829-1040 and explain that you moved and did not receive correspondence. The representative can tell you what the notice was about and help you respond.

If the notice was about a tax bill or a required action with a important date, updating your address does not extend the important date. You will need to respond based on the original important date, not the date you received the notice. This is why updating your address as soon as you move is important — it prevents notices from getting lost.

Changing your address for a business or partnership

If you own a business with an Employer Identification Number (EIN), use Form 8822-B instead of Form 8822. This form is for business addresses and applies to sole proprietors, partnerships, corporations, and other business entities. read it from IRS.gov or call 800-829-1040 to request a copy.

Fill in your EIN, business name, old address, and new address. Mail it to the IRS address shown on the form. Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks. If you have both a personal tax account and a business account, you need to update both addresses separately — changing one does not change the other.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Online updates take effect when ready. Mailed forms take 4 to 6 weeks. Phone updates take a few days. During tax season (January through April), processing may take longer because the IRS handles higher call volume.

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

Contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 and explain that your refund was mailed to an old address. They can check whether the check was cashed and, if not, reissue it to your new address. If a household member or new occupant cashed the check, you may need to file a claim with the IRS.

Do I need to update my address if I file electronically?

Yes. The address on your electronic return is what the IRS uses, but if you move after filing, update your address so the IRS knows where to send future notices and refunds. The address on your return does not automatically carry forward to the next year.

Can I change my address on a return I already filed?

You cannot change the address on a filed return itself, but you can update your address in the IRS system so future correspondence goes to the correct location. If you need to correct other information on the return, you would file Form 1040-X (Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return).

What if I am married and file jointly — do both spouses need to update the address?

No. Only one spouse needs to update the address, and it applies to both names on the account. If you file separately, each person must update their own address.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.