Moving Tips
There are things that we don’t think of when we move in or out of a place. These tips will help you know what to do.
One Month Before Moving
- To obtain an IRS Change of Address form, call 1-800-829-1040 or download (personal form). See all IRS Forms
- Download Form 8822 and print to help deduct Moving Expenses.
- Gather moving supplies, boxes, tape, rope.
- If moving far away, make any necessary travel arrangements like airline, hotel, and rental car reservations. Or plan your travel route if driving.
- Call a moving company or make truck rental reservations to move yourself.
- Finalize real estate and apartment rental needs.
- Place legal, medical, and insurance records in a safe and accessible place.
- Use the Change of Address Order Form to tell the Post Office of your move.
- Give your mailers your new address:
- Friends and family members
- Banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions
- Charge card and credit card companies
- Doctors, dentists, and other service providers
- State and Federal Tax authorities and any other government agencies as needed
- IRS–see note and links at the top of this page
- You can do this by sending them Address Change Notification Cards or, for magazine publishers and business mailers, by following their change of address instructions.
- Save moving receipts (many moving expenses are tax deductible).
- Make maps of your new neighborhood to familiarize yourself and your family with your new area.
- Plan your moving budget.
Two Weeks Before Moving
- Inform gas, electric, water, cable, local telephone and trash removal services of your move. Sign up for services at your new address.
- Recruit moving-day help.
- Confirm travel reservation.
- Arrange to close or transfer your bank account, if appropriate.
The Day Before Moving
- Set aside moving materials like a tape measure, pocket knife, packing boxes, tape and markers.
- Pick up rental truck.
- Check oil and gas in your car.
- If traveling, make sure you have tickets, charge cards, and other essentials.