Let’s start with a walk through of how to complete this form.
This one-page form is pretty straightforward, with two parts:
Let’s begin at the top of Part I.
Part I contains most of the information fields for changing your address.
For Line 1, simply check the respective box for individual income tax returns. You should check this box unless you’re not required to file an income tax return.
Check the additional box if your last tax return was a jointly filed return and you’re now moving to a new residence. This could be because of divorce or separation.
Most people are not required to file gift tax returns (IRS Form 709) or estate and generation-skipping transfer tax returns (IRS Form 706). But if you are doing so, check the applicable box.
If you’re filing Form 706 or 706-NA, enter the name of the decedent and the decedent’s Social Security number.
In Line 3a, enter your name.
Enter your full Social Security number in Line 3b.
In Line 4a, enter your spouse’s first name and last name, if applicable.
In Line 4b, enter your spouse’s full Social Security number.
Complete this field if your name changed, even if the cause was due to divorce or marriage.
Any prior names that your spouse may have used should go into Line 5b, as applicable.
Enter your complete old mailing address, including street name, city, state, and zip code.
If you have a PO Box, enter your box number instead of the street number only if the post office does not deliver mail to your street address.
Follow the country’s practice for entering your address. Do not abbreviate the name of the country.
If you receive your mail in care of a third party, such as your accountant or attorney, enter “C/O” followed by the third party’s name.
In a similar manner, enter your spouse’s prior address, if it is different from the address you entered in Line 6a.
In Line 7, follow the same instructions as Line 6 as they pertain to your current address.
In Part II, you’ll enter your signature. First, you may enter a daytime telephone number where you can be reached, if the IRS has any questions.
If you are the taxpayer, you must sign the bottom of this form, unless you have an authorized representative signing for you (see below).
If you are married, your spouse must sign as well, unless you checked the additional box in Line 1 indicating that you are establishing a separate residence after having previously filed a joint return.
If a representative, such as an accountant, is signing on the taxpayer’s behalf, that person must attach a copy of your power of attorney or a completed IRS Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative, to the completed Form 8822.
There are some filing considerations we should understand when it comes to notifying the Internal Revenue Service of a change in address.
You cannot file this form electronically. You must file Form 8822 by mail.
The IRS mailing address depends on two factors:
If you checked the box in Line 2 indicating that you’re involved in filing one of these tax returns, then send your completed form to:
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service Center
Kansas City, MO 64999-0023
There are three U.S. based IRS locations for taxpayers to file their completed Form 8822:
Taxpayers located in the following states should mail their completed change of address form to the Kansas City office.
Send your completed Form 8822 to the following location:
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service Center
Kansas City, MO 64999-0023
Taxpayers located in the following states should mail their completed change of address form to the Ogden location.
As applicable, send your change of address form to the following address:
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service Center
Ogden, UT 84201-0023
Taxpayers located in the following states should mail their completed change of address form to:
Send your completed form to:
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service Center
Austin, TX 73301-0023
Additionally, send your completed form to the Austin address if one of the following applies to your situation:
If you are a bona fide resident of the U.S. Virgin Islands or Guam or the Virgin Islands, see below.
Bona fide residents of Guam should send their completed Form 8822 to:
Department of Revenue and Taxation
Government of Guam
P.O. Box 23607
GMF, GU 96921
Bona fide residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands should send their completed Form 8822 to:
V.I. Bureau of Internal Revenue
6115 Estate Smith Bay
Suite 225
St. Thomas, VI 00802
To update the address on file for one or more children who file their own tax return, you’ll have to file a separate Form 8822 for each child.
Taxpayers who plan to update their home and business address should plan to update their business location separately. File IRS Form 8822-B, Change of Address or Responsible Party – Business, to update your business mailing address with the IRS.
You do not have to file Form 8822 to update your address with the IRS. You may also update your address by:
Watch this Youtube video for step by step Form 8822 instructions.
Normally, when taxpayers file income tax returns with a new home mailing address, the IRS will update its taxpayer records accordingly. If you’re in the middle of resolving outstanding tax matters while you move, then you might be better off informing the IRS of an address change by filing this tax form. If you’re changing both your home and business addresses, you should use Form 8822-B to update your new business location.
How do I file Form 8822?You cannot file this form electronically. You must file Form 8822 by mail to the appropriate IRS Service Center. The IRS mailing address depends on whether you’re filing Forms 706 or 709, and where your old home address used to be.
How long does it take to process IRS Form 8822?According to the form instructions, you should give the Internal Revenue Service about 4 to 6 weeks to allow for processing of this IRS change of address form.
As with most other tax forms, you can find IRS Form 8822 on the IRS website. For your convenience, we’ve attached a copy of the latest version to the bottom of this article.