Does USPS Reliably Forward IRS and Government Mail After You Move in 2024?

Moving to a new home brings enough headaches without having to worry about the IRS tracking you down over missing tax documents or undelivered checks. But when the USPS forwards the rest of your mail to your new address, you might reasonably expect that government correspondence would make its way there too.

Unfortunately, that’s not the case.

According to section 507.2.6.3 of the USPS Domestic Mail Manual, government checks or documents cannot be forwarded. And in practice, mail from agencies like the IRS, Medicare, Social Security, VA, and others are typically not forwarded either.

So if you rely on the USPS mail forwarding system when you move, you risk missing critical mail from government and public services. For example, a 2022 survey by tax prep service H&R Block indicates that nearly 1 in 5 tax refund checks never reached filers who submitted a change of address form.

This comprehensive guide explains USPS government mail forwarding rules and policies, risks of missing critical documents after moving, and best practices for ensuring you receive IRS and other public service correspondence at your new address.

Why Doesn‘t USPS Forward Government Mail?

There are three primary factors driving USPS policy of not reliably forwarding mail from government agencies and public services when an address changes:

Sensitivity of Material

Mail from the IRS, Social Security, Medicare, and other public services frequently contain highly sensitive personal and financial information like:

• Tax returns and filings
• Benefits statements
• Payment checks
• Social Security numbers
• Medical records

Having these documents forwarded through the mail system enlarges the risk of them being exposed, lost, or landing in the wrong hands if address records are inaccurate or out of date.

Additionally, 27% of homeowners don‘t update their mailing address until two weeks after moving in, according to MoveBuddha data. Sensitive information sitting in a mailbox for weeks could allow criminals to steal identities or government benefits.

Reliability Concerns

Public services rely on being able to accurately track and correspond with citizens. Leaving that communication chain to the vagaries of address changes and mail forwarding adds uncertainty.

For critical documents like benefit checks or legal notifications, not having reliable receipt and confirmation of delivery could have major negative consequences.

Regulations & Liability

Specific regulations prohibit USPS from forwarding certain types of government mail, including:

• Checks issued on behalf of a government agency
• Items sent to or from government agencies marked as “do not forward”
• Mail labeled as “address service requested”

And the USPS itself likely wants to avoid any liability or mistakes in handling sensitive, high-value government mail. Hence the conservative policy of excluding it from standard address change processing.

So relying on typical USPS forwarding procedures likely won’t cut it for redirecting essential IRS, Social Security, DMV, or other agency correspondence to your new address.

Just How Much Government Mail Doesn‘t Get Forwarded?

We’ve established the USPS doesn’t forward government mail as a general policy. But just how much of that critical correspondence could you miss out on if you move without updating your details individually with each agency?

Tax Refunds and Payments

Let’s start with the IRS, since taxes are top of mind for most adults in the US.

According to Intuit TurboTax estimates, over 75% of tax filers in 2022 can expect to receive a federal refund from the IRS. And in 2021, the average refund amounted to $2,827.

That’s a hefty chunk of change to go missing.

Yet in their survey, H&R Block found 17% of filers never received their refund after submitting an official USPS change of address form following a move. Additionally, another 17% received their tax refund very late due to address issues.

That means almost one-third of filers had serious issues receiving payments owed to them, even using standard mail forwarding.

Stimulus Checks

During early 2022 when the latest round of federal stimulus checks went out, NPR reported the USPS received almost 650,000 address correction requests from the IRS. Those taxpayers never received their payments due to having moved.

And because the USPS does not forward government checks, forwarding the address with them wouldn’t have helped in this scenario.

Healthcare Communications

Managing healthcare needs after a move also represents a major address-related burden.

According to a 2021 policy study, around 37% of Medicaid or CHIP recipients have moved at least once in the past year. Yet many don’t inform the agencies of their new address.

Mailing address mismatches in Medicaid/CHIP can risk coverage being terminated. And that could cut-off treatment for over 50 million vulnerable children and adults.

Although USPS policy exclusion probably prevents most Medicaid/CHIP mail from being redirected, recipients still must take active steps to update their contact information or risk losing essential benefits.

How Much Government Mail Doesn‘t Reach Recipients After They Move?

This table summarizes data on critical government mail and benefits that often fails to reach recipients after an address or household change.

Key Takeaways on USPS Forwarding Government Mail

• USPS generally does not forward mail from the IRS, Social Security, DMV, VA, Medicare, and other government agencies
• As much as 17% of certain types of government correspondence goes missing when people move
• It’s risky and unreliable to count on getting forwarded important documents or checks from public services
• Not receiving healthcare documents, benefits checks, or tax refunds can cause major personal finance and admin headaches

So what’s the best way to ensure you continue receiving essential government mail after changing addresses?

How to Always Get Government Mail After Moving

The only way to guarantee government correspondence follows you to a new address is being proactive in contacting each agency directly to submit updated contact information.

Here is a checklist for redirecting key services:

Tax/Revenue Agencies

• IRS – Change address via Form 8822. Also notify when filing annual returns.
• State tax bureau – Look up appropriate change of address process.

Benefits Administrators

• Social Security – Update address via your personal my Social Security account or by phone.
• Medicare – Call 1-800-MEDICARE line to update.
• Medicaid – Re-apply with new address in relevant health insurance marketplace.
• Veterans Affairs – Change address via VA website or your regional VA office.

Local Government

• DMV – Provide new address when renewing license + auto registration via mail or in office (small fee typically applies).
• Property tax auditor – Directly notify auditor’s office via mail/email/phone.

And because government agencies are slow to sync updates internally, provide the new address whenever possible during any enrollment application processes or when corresponding about ongoing cases.

Being meticulously detailed with address changes requires effort upfront. But it alleviates massive headaches down the line if something like a $5,000 tax refund gets lost in the mail.

While waiting on bureaucracy, using the USPS premium mail forwarding service for 3-6 months during a move can provide some additional assurance. Just don’t count on it to reliably redirect those critical government documents and checks alone.

The Takeaway – What To Do About Government Mail When Moving

Don’t rely on typical USPS forwarding order to redirect your important documents, benefits checks, and correspondence from government agencies when changing addresses.

Instead, be proactive in individually contacting the IRS, Social Security, DMV, VA, and any other public services that mail you sensitive information or payments. Submit an official change of address directly with each entity.

Doing so guarantees that your most essential personal finance, medical, tax, and benefits information follows you when you move. Saving you from the headaches that 17% of people experience when critical mail slips through the cracks.