Moving Tips

One Month Before Moving

Obtain an IRS Change of Address form, call 1-800-829-1040 and ask for 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.

Obtain a Change of Address form to tell the Post Office of your move.

Give your mailers your new address:

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 at the top of this page.

(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.)

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.

Line up new cable service for your new home.

Inform long distance phone company of your move. Sign up for long distance service at your new address.

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.