Address Changes and IRS Notifications: What Every Taxpayer Needs to Know

ARTICLE | February 24, 2025

Authored by Vasquez + Company

When you move and settle into your new home, updating your address with friends, family, and even your bank might be second nature. However, one notification many people overlook is informing the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Federal tax rules require the IRS to use the address listed on the most recently filed tax return unless it has been clearly informed otherwise. Failing to notify the IRS of a correct address can mean you miss important tax communications, such as notices or billing statements, and this oversight can lead to serious complications down the line. Understanding how “last known address” rules work, and the consequences of not complying, can save you from headaches, penalties, and potential legal issues.

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Keeping your address current with the IRS is essential for staying informed of your tax obligations and protecting your taxpayer rights. Life events such as moving, separating from a spouse, or changing a designated business location can all introduce complexities into your tax situation. By proactively informing the IRS—whether via your tax return, official change of address forms, written statements, or secure telephone updates—you reduce the risk of missing vital notifications and open the door to a smoother, more transparent tax experience. In the long run, a small amount of effort in communicating your new contact details can prevent significant legal, financial, and administrative complications. Stay ahead of the curve and let the IRS know when you move, ensuring you have a clear line of communication for all your tax matters.

Our firm provides the information for general guidance only, and does not constitute the provision of legal advice, tax advice, accounting services, investment advice, or professional consulting of any kind. The information provided herein should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional tax, accounting, legal, or other competent advisers. Before making any decision or taking any action, you should consult a professional adviser who has been provided with all pertinent facts relevant to your particular situation. This article is not intended to be used, and cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding accuracy-related penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. The information is provided “as is,” with no assurance or guarantee of completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose.