Barbara O'Neill

Helpful Moving Tips

Notify your telephone, electric, gas, water, and credit card Companies.

Forward necessary mail to your new address and discontinue service on a specific date.

Notify former employers. This will make tax time less taxing.

Devise a system. You should label your boxes with their room destination in your new home.

Load the rooms to be unloaded first—last. Whatever room is furthest from the entrance in your new home should be that room. In other words, unload back to front. The kitchen should be done at the very end though, because heavy appliances should go in the truck first.

Don't forget to have your tools ready when you start unloading. You should put your tool box in when everything else is loaded in the truck.

Take all your valuable documents and jewelry with you! Don't forget about your plants either. Most are too sensitive to make a long journey in a hot, dark truck. Take them with you if you can.

Savings Tips

If you are hiring a moving company to help you make the move, get several estimates before signing up with a moving company, moving company prices vary considerably and you can save a bundle. Consumer Reports recommends getting at least three estimates before selecting a mover.

Tax Deductions

Did you know that some of the expenses of moving are tax deductible? Read on and see if you qualify for any of the following deductions.

Cost of transportation or hauling from old to new residence.

Cost of packing, crating and unpacking.

Cost of shipping your car & cost of moving the pets.

Cost of the trip to the new residence including lodging but not meals

Take into account that these deductions must not be excessive amounts, but the real question is, do you qualify for the deductions? All taxpayers are eligible, even if they don't file itemized returns, as long as you are:

Moving to a new residence for the purpose of employment, whether it be as an employee or self-employed.

Moving to a new job, at least 50 miles farther from your new residence than your old job location.

A full-time employee and employed within the vicinity for at least 39 weeks of the first 12 months of occupancy.

A self-employed individual, who will work in the new location for at least 78 weeks during the first 24 months following the move, of which 39 weeks must be within the first 12 months.

As tax laws may change, it's best to consult a professional tax advisor before claiming them.

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