To Do Before Moving

One Month Before Moving

• To obtain an IRS Change of Address form, call 1-800-829-1040 or click Form 8822 to select, download, and print it and most other IRS tax forms; e.g., Form 3903 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 form to tell the Post Office of your move.
• Give your mailers your new address (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.):
  • 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.
• 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.
• Inform long distance phone company of your move.
• 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.

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