If you’ve recently moved or plan to very soon, there are a couple of things you’ll need to add to your already busy to-do list. Between unpacking and settling into your new place, you may have forgotten to forward your mail through the United States Postal Service, or to give the IRS your new address.
If you don’t update your information with both agencies, you may lose money and important letters, such as the 6419 letter related to the child tax credit or the 6475 letter related to missing stimulus money. If you update only with USPS, not all post offices send government checks, so notifying the IRS is also critical.
This is why you should update your address as soon as possible. Plus, here’s the latest on the extension of child tax credit payments. This story was recently updated.
1. so your final 2021 child tax credit payment won’t be late
Enhanced monthly child tax credit payments ended in December; you can calculate your payment here. If you didn’t have direct deposit set up with the IRS, your payments were probably sent as paper checks. But if you’re still waiting for a child tax credit check and qualify for the money, an incorrect address could be the problem. you can track your payment or submit a payment trace to see if it went to the wrong address.
However, if you’ve recently moved and haven’t updated your information with the IRS or USPS, your money may have been sent to your old address, which could cause a delay while you wait for your check to arrive. be redirected. You can still update your mailing address using the Child Tax Credit Update Portal to ensure your payment is sent to the correct place.
2. so you can finally get that missing stimulus check
stimulus checks were issued last year as new payments or as additional payments if the irs owed you more than you had already paid. These payments were sent through the end of 2021. Some states even sent more stimulus checks that you wouldn’t have received if your address wasn’t up to date.
Also, if you’re missing stimulus money, the process to claim it is tied to your tax return. If you receive a tax refund this year and don’t sign up for direct deposit, you will receive your funds as a paper check from the US Treasury. uu. and that can go to a previous address. But even if you have a direct deposit account on file with the government, you can still receive a stimulus check in the form of a paper check or EIP card. This IRS tracking tool can help you figure out how you’ll get your stimulus money. Once the IRS processes your payment, the final say on how you receive the money is up to the IRS and the Treasury.
You’ll also want to make sure you get the letter from the IRS by verifying when you sent your payment. This is important for anyone who may be eligible for a stimulus check but experiences an unexpected delay in receiving their money. this notice will be your ticket to resolving any errors or filing a claim for lack of money during this year’s tax season, if that’s what it is.
3. so you can get last year’s tax refund
If you filed your tax return late last year and expect your tax refund to arrive in the mail, make sure the information you entered when you filed your tax return is correct.
New address information can be easily overlooked, especially if you use a tax software program that stores your information for easy filing. If you updated your address in the tax filing system, be sure to tell the USPS as well.
4. so you can receive this year’s tax return and refund
tax season starts in January. 24 and if you plan to move after filing your taxes, be sure to update your information in the system. this will prevent any errors or delays with your tax refund.
If you chose to exclude yourself from your child tax credit payments in 2021, they will be tied to your tax refund this year. you don’t want to miss out on a potential payment of $3,600 per child. add another $16,000 maximum you can potentially claim as a tax exemption this year for any child care expenses you paid last year.
how to update your address with the irs
Once you’ve completed your change of address with USPS (see instructions below), it’s time to report your new address to the IRS. Please note that it may take four to six weeks for the IRS to process your change of address. here are your options.
Use your new address when you file your 2021 tax return. The IRS says it will update its records with your new address. If you’re not normally required to file taxes and haven’t received your stimulus payment, you can still claim your payment as a catch-up refund credit on your taxes this year.
If you file your tax return and it does not include your new address, you can notify the IRS of your address change by completing Form 8822.
Tell the IRS in writing “the address where you last filed” giving your full name, your old and new addresses, your social security number, individual taxpayer identification number or employer identification number, and your signature. The IRS says you can also do this over the phone, but you can request additional information.
how to forward your mail with usps
When you move, it’s important to forward your mail so you don’t lose any important documents, including a stimulus check. here’s how to do it.
1. go to usps.com/move.
2. Fill in the form with your contact information, the date you want mail to start forwarding, and your old and new address details. make sure everything is correct and click next when you are ready to continue.
3. then you will need to provide a payment method. it costs $1.10 each time you forward your mailing address. Please note that you cannot use a prepaid credit or debit card to do this. (here is additional information on the subject).
4. Once you have paid, you will receive an email confirmation that your change of address has been submitted.
5. At your new address, look for a USPS confirmation notification letter and welcome kit in the mail. USPS says it can take anywhere from three business days to two weeks before you start getting your forwarded mail.
For more information, here’s how to claim up to $16,000 for child care expenses. Plus, here’s where to file your taxes for free.