How Can You Make Your Interstate Move as Safe and Efficient as Possible?
by Adam Johnson
Whether you're being transferred (or promoted) to a new job across the country or are just looking for a change of scenery, you may be wondering how best to tote your entire collection of worldly possessions (as well as yourself, your family, and your pets) over state lines. Moving into a new time zone can add even more complexity to the process. Fortunately, there are a number of resources at your disposal that should help you keep costs low while making sure you and your family get to your new destination in one piece. Read on for some tips and tricks for making sure your move is as safe, efficient, and inexpensive as possible.
Check to see that your selected moving company is registered and insured
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) maintains a database of registered movers and moving companies involved in interstate transport. under federal law, all carriers engaged in interstate transport must be registered with the federal Department of Transportation (DOT)—this helps the government ensure that these companies have adequate insurance, screen their employees for drug use, and take other measures to protect the safety (and financial investment) of moving customers.
When selecting a moving company, you'll want to check the FMCSA's database to make sure this company is registered and has adequate insurance coverage. You'll also be able to review your selected moving company's safety rating, allowing you to pick and choose the safest mover from among your many options. This will ensure that if the worst happens and your movers are involved in an accident while transporting your belongings, you'll be adequately compensated for any financial loss.
Look into tax incentives and deductions
If you're moving for work and your employer isn't reimbursing you for your moving expenses or paying them directly, you may qualify for some tax deductions that can save you money on next April's bill or even boost your income tax refund. If you fulfill a few requirements—specifically, if you're moving more than 50 miles away to start a new job and you spend at least 39 weeks at this job after moving—you'll be able to deduct many of your moving expenses as an adjustment to your income, lowering the amount subject to federal income tax (and, therefore, your tax rate).
The moving expenses available for deduction include the cost to transport your belongings from state to state, which can include the cost of movers, a moving truck, gasoline, additional insurance, or rental of a storage unit. You'll also be able to deduct the transportation costs for you and your family members to go from your old home to your new one, with one exception—the cost of meals.
In addition to these deductions available at the federal level, your new state may offer some tax benefits for recent transplants, as well. Check your new state's Department of Revenue website to see if you can find a list of tax topics sorted by category; reviewing these topics will help you weed out any potential tax refunds or credits for which you may be eligible due to your change in circumstances.
Consider moving during an off-peak time
If the quotes you've been getting from moving companies are still a bit outside your budget and your arrival date is somewhat flexible, you may want to get some quotes for household moves outside the peak times. To minimize the disruption to their work and travel schedules, many heads of household will schedule long-distance moves to take place over the weekend, driving up prices. By scheduling your move on a Monday or Tuesday, you may be able to enjoy the same level of service at a much lower price.
You'll also want to avoid scheduling your household move over the course of a holiday weekend, large sporting event, or other celebration that drives up interstate traffic. The more quickly your movers can travel from one point to another, the less your move will cost.
To get help with your move, contact a moving company like Bekins Van Lines Inc.
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About Me
Few things are more difficult than packing up your belongings, moving to a new place, and trying to make new friends. Unfortunately, we found ourselves in this position a few years ago after the business that I worked for started to fail. We knew that if we wanted to get out ahead of the game, we needed to quit the job, apply for new positions, and move our family to a more affordable part of the country. This blog is all about choosing to move when you know that you need to, using storage units to help you during your transition, and making the best of a bad situation.