18 Jul I’m moving. Do I need to inform the tax authorities?

Q. I’ll be moving house this summer, though staying in New Jersey. Is it necessary to file change-of-address forms with the IRS and state Division of Taxation, or can I just wait until I file next year’s returns? Would changing my address on my driver license carry over to the tax division? I’ve thought about waiting to file the property tax relief form until after I move. Does the timing matter? I’ve already received the paper form in the mail. I receive direct deposit for my refund.
— Mover and shaker

A. We hope your move goes smoothly.

There are a couple of things to consider.

While both the IRS (Form 8822) and NJ Division of Taxation (unnumbered form found on its website) have a mechanism for submitting a change of personal address, it is unnecessary to so, said Neil Becourtney, a certified public accountant and tax director with Smolin, Lupin & Co. in Red Bank.

“Both taxing authorities will update your address upon receiving your 2025 income tax returns next year that reflect your new address,” he said. “All future tax correspondence including refund checks if not receiving refunds via direct deposit will be sent to the new address without any further action on your part.”

While the majority of taxpayers electronically file their personal income tax returns, the federal Form 8822 can only be paper filed, which makes extra work for both tax preparers and taxpayers, Becourtney said.

The New Jersey change of address form requires submission of a photocopy of a taxpayer’s government issued ID such as a driver’s license or passport, he said.

“As far as filing your New Jersey property tax relief form, presumably you will be filing a change of address form with the postal service so if you use your current and soon to be former address, presumably any correspondence using that address will be forwarded to your new address so no need to wait until you have moved to file it,” he said.

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This story was originally published in July 2025.

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