Directing tax refund to a different address than what is on W2...?

Question

It's a little past due but we're not too worried...my girlfriend needs to file her income tax return and I did a preliminary 1040EZ and she's owed a refund. She lived in NYC during the 2006 work period but moved to NJ in early 2007. She will be filing everything under the old address (in NYC, NY) but can she redirect the Federal/State refund check(s) to her new address which is different from what is on her W2 statement? Does she just use her new address when filling in the Federal & State tax income tax forms?

Answer 1

She should use her new address on her tax return when she files.

In addition, I would recommend that she request direct deposit to a checking or savings account. It's faster than getting a check in the mail and it eliminates the possibility of the check going to the wrong address or getting lost.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Tax refund checks are sent to the address on the tax return. The address on the return does NOT need to match the address on the W-2(s). If she uses the old address on the tax return, that's where the checks will be sent. If she doesn't have a forwarding order with the Post Office, the checks will be returned to the IRS. She would have to file a change of address with the IRS to then get her money.

Better bet: Have the money deposited directly to her bank account. It's faster and there are no worries about addresses.

Answer 3

Use the new address on the tax return. That's the address the refund will be sent to, not the one on the W-2. Or even better, have the refund direct deposited.

Answer 4

The address on the form she files is her address of record for the IRS. Don't overlook the electronic transmittal of her refund; all she has to do is put down the routing number of her bank and the checking or savings account number and her refund is deposited to said account. No chance of getting lost in mail.