Preparing for an International Move

Moving within the United States is stressful; moving internationally adds a whole new element to your stress.  If you are planning on moving overseas, make sure that you complete the below steps to allow your move to go as smoothly as possible.

In Home Estimate

The first step to preparing for any move is to set up an in home estimate with a moving company.  If moving internationally, make sure that the moving company you choose is capable of handling your move.  Not only will the in home estimate provide you with the cost of your move, but your estimator will be able to help you determine what items can not be shipped overseas as well as which items need special packaging, such as crating.

Documentation

Make sure that you keep all important documents on your person during your move.  Although it’s unlikely, it is possible that these items could be lost or destroyed during your move.  In addition, you may need some of these items in order to get into the country that you are moving to. 

Banking

You will also want to have your checking and savings accounts transferred to an international or online bank so that you will have access to your funds before, during and after your move.

Medical Insurance

Check with your insurance provider in regards to coverage overseas.  Find out if you are covered when outside of the United States or if you will be covered for a trip to a foreign hospital or in the event of a medical evacuation.  If not, you will need to find adequate coverage.

Consulate Guides

Before making the trip overseas to your new home, check out current travel advisories as well as what to do in an emergency situation with the State Department at http://travel.state.gov/travel/.  This website will provide you with consulate guides that include information on entry and exit requirements of US citizens, natural events such as earthquakes, hurricanes and cyclones, criminal penalties, and traffic safety and road conditions in the country that you are moving to.

Following the above steps should reduce the stress of your international move.  Whether you are moving out of the country, out of the state, or out of town please don’t hesitate to visit our website in order to learn more about the services we can provide to you or your company, as we service local, out of state, corporate, and commercial moves. 

http://www.sorensen-allied.com/

You can also reach us toll free at 1-800-926-2770 with any questions regarding our moving services.

Claiming Your Moving Expenses

Tax season is here again, and you’re either waiting until 11:59pm on April 16^th  (the 15^th falls on a Sunday) to file, or you're diligently seeking deductions to claim on your return.  Don’t wait until the last minute, make sure you are taking advantage of each and every deduction available to you. 

Tax laws are difficult to understand and interpret, and sometimes extremely boring to read.  So, most people don’t know what they can and cannot claim on their tax return.

Good news is that if you’ve recently moved, you may be able to claim some or all of your moving expenses.

The IRS does have three requirements that you must meet in order to claim your moving expenses on your tax return. 

1.  Your move is closely related to the start of work.  Closely related in IRS terms is 12 months.  So if you move to a new location and start work within 12 months of your move, this requirement will apply.

2.  The new job you take must be 50 miles from your old job, not from your prior residence.  So, if your old job was 15 miles from you prior residence, your new residence must be 65 miles from your prior residence.

3.  You must work for at least 39 weeks during the first 12 months after you arrive in the new location in order to claim your moving expenses.  This does not include work you do while self employed.  You do not have to work for the same employer for all 39 weeks nor do you need to work 39 weeks in a row but you must work full-time within the same general commuting area for all 39 weeks.  If you are self employed, you must work 78 weeks.

Visit www.irs.gov for more information or meet with your accountant. 

If you haven’t moved yet, but plan on moving and meet the above requirements, make sure that you save your receipts.  And as always, please don’t hesitate to visit our website in order to learn more about the services we can provide to you or your company, as we service local, out of state, corporate, and commercial moves. 

http://www.sorensen-allied.com/

You can also reach us toll free at 1-800-926-2770 with any questions regarding our moving services.

What To Look For When Hiring A Professional Mover

For most, moving is enevitable.  Whether you are moving for work, school, or to be closer to a loved one, you are likely to make at least one large move in your lifetime.  Moving is not an easy task, it can be very stressful and there are many decisions that you will need to make when planning your move.

If you decide to hire a professional moving company, make sure that you get your money’s worth by hiring a reputable, honest, and dependable mover.  Hiring the wrong mover can be avoided with a little time and research.

Find out what previous customers have to say about the moving companies in your area.  You can find moving company reviews online at websites like yelp.com or angieslist.com.    Reviews written by pleased or disgruntled customers can provide a lot of insight on what you can expect.  You can also visit the moving company’s website in order to find information on the company as well as customer testimonials.

Make sure to take advantage of a free in home estimate.  Take the time out of your day to meet an estimator in your home.  It can make all the difference in the estimate you receive.  It’s important for the moving company to see not only what you are moving but where you are moving from.  An estimator will be able to determine if a large truck can access your home or if you will need a shuttle, which is a smaller truck used to transport your goods from your home to the larger truck that will be hauling your shipment.     

When comparing multiple estimates, make sure you are comparing apples to apples.  Just because one estimate is lower doesn’t mean it’s the best way to go.  Make sure that the lower estimate includes the same costs as the higher estimate.  If you don’t compare the estimates accurately, you may be unpleasantly surprised by extra charges, such as a shuttle.

If you are moving out of state, make sure that your mover has provided you with a copy of Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move.  Your mover is required to provide you this literature by federal law.  This book will help to ensure that you understand your rights and responsibilities as well as the terms and conditions of your contract and how to handle questions and complaints.

Even though moving is stressful, hiring the right mover will allow to ease some of the stress.  Follow the above tips and of course, please don’t hesitate to visit our website in order to learn more about the services we can provide to you or your company, as we service local, out of state, corporate, and commercial moves. 

http://www.sorensen-allied.com/

You can also reach us toll free at 1-800-926-2770 with any questions regarding our moving services.