News and Updates Archives - Moving of America

Step-by-step guide to changing your address

Posted on August 30, 2019October 19, 2020 by Ethan

Moving is a process that entails so many things! From packing up your possessions in cardboard boxes and looking up interstate movers NJ to transporting all of your items, relocation can truly leave its toll on you. There are simply too many things for a person to do that not feeling stressed out is impossible. One process that people often forget about until they have already moved is the one of changing your address. The first tip we have to give you is not to wait for the last minute to do it as there are a lot of numbers you’ll have to dial on the phone. It’s best to get an early start and avoid being stressed out as much as possible!

The process of changing your address begins with the USPS

The USPS or the United States Postal Service should be your number one stop. Just like finding the best movers NJ has to offer is the first step when preparing for a move, the postal service is the first one you should turn to when trying to change your address. Luckily, in the age we live in, you don’t have to visit the post office in person. The entire process can be done online with a couple of well-placed clicks!

Changing your address online on the phone. — You can change your address even while sitting on the couch with your phone in hand.

Visit the United States Postal Service website and find the form that deals with the change of address. All you’ll need will be to fill out the required details and have your debit card or credit card at hand. The USPS will charge a one-dollar fee so you’ll need to have your payment information ready. In a matter of minutes, you’ll update your address and can continue to receive mail at your new residence. The first step was easy!

The second step is updating your billing address

An average person pays a huge number of bills every month. As much as we don’t like it, it’s just a necessary part of life. Just because you are moving it doesn’t mean that your duties stop. It just means you’ll have to update your address and transfer the utilities to the new residence. Begin by making a list of all the bills you receive in paper form. Besides the usual ones, like the electricity and gas bills, don’t forget about the phone, cable, or garbage recycling bills. Then proceed to call each company separately and change your billing address. Usually, a lot of these companies also have the option of changing your address online and updating your information this way.

Bonus tip: to make your life easier after the move, make sure you pay all of your bills in due time. You don’t want for anything to ruin your brand new start in your perfect neighborhood!

Proceed by changing your address for magazine and catalog subscriptions

Can you imagine your Sunday morning without that sports journal or fashion magazine? Is your favorite past time looking at the new collection of your favorite store in a catalog and planning your next purchase? To continue doing what you love in your new home, make sure you change the address for your magazine and catalog subscriptions.

A magazine next to a cup of coffee and a flower pot. — If you can’t imagine your weekend without the weekly dose of news, change the address of your subscription.

Visit their websites and use your customer number for an online change-of-address form. Of course, you can always call the publication and change your address this way, but we just believe that it would be easier for anyone to do it online in their free time.

Inform the bank of your change of address

We are sure your bank sends you at least one document every other month and to do so, it needs your address. Otherwise, your bank statements won’t reach you. Besides, the bank also needs to verify your debit card billing address when you shop online so you’ll need to update your address. In case you have online banking, there’s a good chance you will be able to change your address online. And if you don’t, you can either make a call to the bank or visit them in person. Any means you choose will be a good one.

Let your friends and family know that you are changing your address

Now, depending on how you look at it, this can be the hardest part on our list. It’s very easy to call your bank or fill out a form online. But to inform your parents that you will be moving across the country? That’s something that will be very hard emotionally. So what do we suggest?

Three muffins. — Deliver the news over a batch of fresh-baked muffins – everything is easier with some mouth-watering food.

From making personalized cards that inform your loved ones about your new home to organizing a farewell party, there are many ways to give people this notice. However, the only way to do it successfully is by taking into account everyone’s feelings and being careful about how you deliver this news. Some people might take it harder than the others and you need to put a lot of thinking into how you are going to tell them.

Let your employer know about your new address

It really matters not whether you are moving to Garfield which is a thirty-minute drive from your place of work or you are moving to a home that’s a short three-minute walk from it – you should always inform your employer about changing your address. Not only is it common courtesy to let them know, but your employer also might have to send you some important documents from time to time. Once that happens, having the right address is crucial for those papers to land in your hands. Besides, this will only take a few minutes as there is not a lot of paperwork involved. So we are sure everyone can make time for it in their busy schedules.

The Moving Expenses Tax Deduction 2019

Posted on February 27, 2019October 19, 2020 by Ethan

Are moving expenses tax deductible in 2018/2019? And if so, who is eligible to receive them? Moving of America is here to look into new changes in the tax law to help you explore how it impacts deductible moving expenses this year.

In the past, when you were relocating to start a new job, you had a chance to deduct some of your moving costs. Now, you must learn more about the latest tax rules and regulations regarding moving expenses. In accordance with past law, you could deduct the cost of hiring movers and other moving expenses. Now, thanks to The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, taxpayers will no longer be able to claim a deduction on moving expenses in 2018-2025. But, there is good news.

If you moved for a new job in 2017, some of your moving expenses are still deductible.
For all of you that moved in 2018/2019, find out more about deductible moving expenses and its limitations in this article.

We will give our best to provide you with the answer you are looking for. Are moving expenses tax deductible? Yes and no. Keep reading for more information.

tax calculation — Thanks to The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, taxpayers will no longer be able to claim a deduction on moving expenses in 2018-2025

Not All Moving Expenses Qualify for Tax Deduction

If you read the intro carefully, you know that the deduction of moving expenses for a new job is no longer allowed in the time frame of 2018-2025. But, if you moved for a better career in 2017, you can still qualify for a tax return. One important fact here is that members of the US military are still able to deduct moving expenses. Just because you moved in 2017, this does not necessarily mean you can deduct moving expenses. Expenses that qualify for tax deduction include packing and shipping your household goods and personal property, and costs for traveling. However, meals aren’t deductible as part of your moving expenses.

You must meet specific criteria to apply for a tax deduction. We bring you a few factors that can give you a general idea about who can qualify for tax deduction.

The time frame

If you want to meet the criteria for moving taxes deduction, you must start working at your new job within a year of relocating to a new address. You can move before or after your new job starts; it is only essential that the job start date and the moving date are within 12 months of each other. Remember that this applies to people who moved in 2017.

There is, however, one exception to this time frame rule. People who work outside the USA, and then relocate back to retire can deduct their moving expenses.

The distance to the new job

Your new job should be at least fifty miles away from your old address. This is a rule you should remember: If your new job is only twenty miles away from your old address, you will not be allowed to deduct the moving expenses.

Like the previous rule, this one also has an exception. Members of the US military can deduct moving expenses even if they don’t meet the distance test.

Length of New Job

In the year when you are relocating, you must work for a minimum of 39 weeks at your new job, if you want to apply for moving expenses deduction.

tax forms — Members of the US military can deduct moving expenses even if they don’t meet the distance test.

IRS moving deductions are no longer allowed in 2018/2019

In accordance with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, new tac law states that the moving expenses deduction is no longer allowed. Once again, this does not apply to members of the US military. Also, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act suspends the above exclusion from income for qualified moving expense reimbursements from an employer. According to IRS: “employers will include moving expense reimbursements as taxable income in the employees’ wages.”

Members of the US military are an exception to this rule

This new tax law is terrible for most taxpayers because they will lose the benefits of moving tax deduction. But, there is an exception when it comes to active military members. The suspension of tax-deductible moving expenses does not apply to them.

To sum up, what does the new tax law mean for people moving in 2018/2019?

As you can probably presume, if you are not an active member of the US Military, you will not be able to deduct your moving expenses from your federal income taxes.

Tax — Moving expenses tax deduction is not allowed in 2018/2019

Fill out the proper forms on your 2017 tax return.

You can still claim a deduction on your 2017 Tax Return. If you moved in 2017 and you qualify for moving expenses deduction, fill out IRS Form 3903 and also line 26 on Form 1040. Here is a general guideline how to do it properly:

Add shipping and storage costs to line 1 on Form 3903
Add travel-related expenses to line 2 on Form 3903
If your employer paid any stipends for moving, enter that figure on line 4 on Form 3903

Without tax deductions in 2018/2019, how can you save money while moving?

Because moving expenses from 2018/2019 are no longer tax deductible, you need to find other ways to save some money while moving. Luckily for you, there are many affordable and reliable moving companies such as Moving of America who can fit inside your budget and meet your relocation needs. With a licensed and insured moving company, you can be sure your belongings are in good hands. Dependable movers will offer you affordable relocation packages, but you can also find some other ways to save money when moving. Here are some tips to make an affordable move.

dollar — Because moving expenses from 2018/2019 are no longer tax deductible, you need to find other ways to save some money while moving.

Get free cardboard boxes

Instead of buying new ones, you can find free moving boxes in near grocery and liquor stores. Many store owners will be thrilled to get rid of leftover boxes. Make sure to pick boxes in good condition. They need to be clean and dry to avoid damages on your goods.

Move during the off-peak season

Make sure to move during the off-peak season. Avoid moving during the summer, weekends and holidays. The summer and weekend move is usually more expensive than move during the fall and winter. We also suggest you move in the middle of the week and the mid-month days.

Ask friends for help

If you are not capable and skilled to pack everything yourself, ask your friends to help. You don’t have to pay for professional packing assistance, instead, try to do it with your friends.

Arrange a yard sale and sell items

The more items you want to move, the more expensive your move will be. Think about arranging the yard sale so you can sell all your unnecessary items. You will get rid of the used stuff, and also you will earn some extra money for your relocation.

Category: News and Updates