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What to do if you’ve moved since receiving your first stimulus payment

If you've changed addresses since the last stimulus payment, how do you ensure you get your second payment?

SEATTLE — Some people have experienced significant changes or challenges since the first coronavirus stimulus payments went out and want to make sure the second payment gets delivered.

"I moved in October,” KING 5 viewer Bruce wrote. “How do I let the IRS know my new address? My first stimulus was sent through mail."

There are at least two things people like Bruce can do to help make sure the second stimulus payment gets to you.

First, you want to make sure your mail is forwarded to your new address via the United States Postal Service (USPS). Secondly, you can notify the IRS by filling out a form.

To update your address with the USPS, go to the Movers Guide. Take note, it costs $1.05 every time you forward the address and it usually takes about three days for the change to kick in.

It's a little more work to change your address with the IRS. You can notify the IRS by filling out an 8822 form. This might also be a good thing to do if you haven't received the first stimulus payment.

The IRS said you can notify the agency by phone, but the lines will surely be at a high volume. That number is 1-800-919-9835. Take note these changes could take up to six weeks to take effect.

The IRS also launched its 'Get My Payment' portal for citizens to track the status of their second coronavirus stimulus payment. Many Americans had already received their payment before the tracker went online — but many had not and still have not.

If you're still waiting, you can visit the stimulus payment tracker page here to check the status of your payment. You will need to enter your Social Security Number, date of birth and street address to find out the status.

The IRS said that anyone who sees a "Payment Status #2 – Not Available" message will not receive a second Economic Impact Payment by mail or direct deposit and instead needs to "claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on your 2020 Tax Return."

This is because the stimulus package that included the $600 checks gave the IRS a Jan. 15 deadline to make stimulus payments through direct deposit, paper checks and debit cards.

The IRS advises people that if they don't receive their Economic Impact Payment, they should file their 2020 tax return electronically and claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their tax return to get their payment and any refund as quickly as possible.

Coronavirus: Your Money, Your Future

Do you have a question or concern about money during the coronavirus pandemic? Email us at money@king5.com.

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