US Postal Service Mail Forwarding

[JimGant]

Setting up a mail forwarding service prior to your move to Thailand? Well, the US Postal Service will sell your new address to every junk mailer haunting your old mailing address. Now, your new mail forwarding service can cull out most of thus junk -- by why have it follow you in the first place?

Solution. When you fill out the on-line mail forwarding request, check "temorary."

https://moversguide.usps.com/icoa/move-info/icoa-main-flow.do?execution=e1s2&_flowId=icoa-main-flow

"There is, however, a loophole that keeps data brokers from accessing your updated address. When you fill out the online form to change an address, you can indicate a temporary change that provides six months of forwarding that can then be extended for another six months. That information, unlike the changes marked as permanent, is not included in the master list sold to data brokers."

http://www.forbes.com/sites/adamtanner/2013/07/08/how-the-post-office-sells-your-new-address-with-anyone-who-pays-and-the-little-known-loophole-to-opt-out/#579fd5d45050

[SpokaneAl]

We spend six months each year in Thailand and have our mail forwarded to an on line postal service in the US. They scan the envelope and we then make the decision what to do with the mail. There are very few pieces that require forwarding to us in Thailand. We simply ask the service to scan the documents, which we can access and save/print etc. I then, in the vast majority of the time, instruct them to shred the document, while I retain the scanned version.

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[sqwakvfr]

SpokaneAl, can you recommend the mail forwarding?  I intend on doing the same thing as you.  I am concerned about mail from Governmental agencies mostly.  

[SpokaneAl]

SpokaneAl, can you recommend the mail forwarding?  I intend on doing the same thing as you.  I am concerned about mail from Governmental agencies mostly.  

I use and recommend Virtual Post Mail. They have done right by me and I remain impressed with their service.

http://www.virtualpostmail.com

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[sqwakvfr]

Thank you very much.  

[JimGant]

Unfortunately, Virtual Post Mail's forwarding address is based in California -- a state with state income tax. Whether or not California revenuers are alert to this fact, I dunno.

 

There are many mail forwarders in non tax states, including "USA2Me," which I just signed up for based on recommendations from members on this forum. Address is in Houston, which will also be the city where I "anchor" my MagicJack phone.

 

Something to consider.

[SpokaneAl]

Unfortunately, Virtual Post Mail's forwarding address is based in California -- a state with state income tax. Whether or not California revenuers are alert to this fact, I dunno.
 
There are many mail forwarders in non tax states, including "USA2Me," which I just signed up for based on recommendations from members on this forum. Address is in Houston, which will also be the city where I "anchor" my MagicJack phone.
 
Something to consider.

I am using the service as a temp forwarding service, as is the person who asked for the name, so in that I have not made a permanent address change, I don't see the issue of CA state income taxes as a problem. Those who are looking for something more permanent in nature may have different results.


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[JimGant]

Quote

I am using the service as a temp forwarding service, as is the person who asked for the name, so in that I have not made a permanent address change, I don't see the issue of CA state income taxes as a problem. Those who are looking for something more permanent in nature may have different results.
 

So, this temporary forwarding address is transitory enough to never be used as your address when filing your Federal tax return? Excellent, because if you used it to file your Fed taxes, the Feds share it with the applicable state. Out of curiosity, as a "temp" address, where do you next go for your mailing address -- Thailand? If so, you'll then be giving up the benefit of having a US mailing address.

[SpokaneAl]

I am using the service as a temp forwarding service, as is the person who asked for the name, so in that I have not made a permanent address change, I don't see the issue of CA state income taxes as a problem. Those who are looking for something more permanent in nature may have different results.

 

So, this temporary forwarding address is transitory enough to never be used as your address when filing your Federal tax return? Excellent, because if you used it to file your Fed taxes, the Feds share it with the applicable state. Out of curiosity, as a "temp" address, where do you next go for your mailing address -- Thailand? If so, you'll then be giving up the benefit of having a US mailing address.

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I do not change my address. My mail is merely forwarded there for the time I am away. USPS allows for a six month temporary forwarding that can be extended for another six months. My mailing/permanent address remains the same.

[JimGant]

Ok. Strickly a temporary mail forwarding situation for you -- not involving a change of address. However, for those making the permanent move to Thailand, your new US address, to include a mail forwarding service, should not be in a state that has income tax.

[SpokaneAl]

Ok. Strickly a temporary mail forwarding situation for you -- not involving a change of address. However, for those making the permanent move to Thailand, your new US address, to include a mail forwarding service, should not be in a state that has income tax.

I agree and have no answer nor expertise in the case of that situation. My solution is used by full time RVers who take care in picking a state with a tax situation that meets their needs. In that case a CA address could be a poor choice.

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[Thanyaburi Mac]

Jim

 

I use my Thai address for Social Security and IRS, get official mail here, not a problem.

 

I use Oregon for other stuff, sent to my sister, she sorts and forwards some, tosses others after asking.  Oregon does have Income tax on income from Oregon sources but not on my non-Oregon retirement.  There's limits and I'm well under that so don't even need to file a non-resident tax form.

 

Mac

[bendejo]

OP: For a while I was using a service called Earth Class Mail.  Nice thing about them is you can choose your address from a list of locations in different states.

 

 

[GinBoy2]

On 10/23/2016 at 7:46 PM, SpokaneAl said:

I agree and have no answer nor expertise in the case of that situation. My solution is used by full time RVers who take care in picking a state with a tax situation that meets their needs. In that case a CA address could be a poor choice.

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I think that is the real distinction; those that require a mail forwarder, for what is for all intents and purposes an extended vacation every year, and those of us that move here full time.

 

If it's an extended vaca, then you don't need to be that picky. If however it's permanent move, chose wisely, especially if you ever ever conceive they may be a possibility you would return.

 

Some States are notorious for 'not letting you go' and if you return, say after many years and have maintained an address, drivers license, they can assess that as residency and go after you for tax for those missing years.

 

I've attached the link to a thread I made a while ago for the permanent movers:

 

 

Edited October 28, 2016 by GinBoy2