How to File IRS Form 8822, Change of Address
Keeping your mailing address current with the IRS is essential for receiving refunds and notices. Learn the official procedure for making this update.
IRS Form 8822, officially titled “Change of Address,” is the designated document for notifying the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of a new home mailing address. Keeping your address current with the agency is a fundamental part of tax compliance. An outdated address can lead to significant issues, such as missed tax refunds, unreceived notices of audit, or other important correspondence from the IRS.
Information Required to Complete Form 8822
You will need your full name and Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If you filed your most recent tax return jointly, you must also provide your spouse’s full name and their SSN or ITIN. The form requires your complete old mailing address exactly as it appeared on your last tax return. You will then provide your new mailing address, including any apartment or suite number. The official Form 8822 is available as a downloadable PDF on the IRS website.
When completing the form, you must check boxes to indicate which tax forms your address change affects, such as individual income tax returns (Form 1040 series) or gift tax returns (Form 709). If you have changed your name, there is a specific line to enter your prior name. Businesses, including sole proprietors who have an Employer Identification Number (EIN), must use a separate form, Form 8822-B, to report a change of address.
How to Submit Form 8822
Once you have accurately completed and signed Form 8822, the next step is to mail it to the correct IRS service center. The form should not be attached to your tax return. The appropriate mailing address is determined by the location of your old address, not your new one. Filers will mail the form to a service center in Kansas City, MO; Ogden, UT; or Austin, TX.
If your last return was a joint return, both you and your spouse must sign the form. An exception exists if you are establishing a separate residence, which you can indicate by checking a specific box on the form. The IRS generally takes four to six weeks to process a change of address request submitted via Form 8822. While mailing Form 8822 is a primary method, you can also update your address by entering it on your annual tax return when you file.