Can I deduct my moving expenses?

How the check works

1. Who qualifies: the IRS pages below describe the moving expense deduction for two groups only. Members of the Armed Forces on active duty who move because of a military order for a permanent change of station, and, for moves in 2026 or later, members of the intelligence community who move because a change in assignment requires it. Your spouse's and dependents' moving costs may count too. A move for any other reason isn't covered.
2. What counts: moving your household goods and personal effects (packing, crating, hauling a trailer, in-transit storage and insurance), storage within any 30 days in a row before delivery, and travel to the new home, including lodging and the day you arrive. One trip for each person.
3. Driving: 20.5 cents a mile, or 23.5 cents a mile after June 30, 2026, plus parking and tolls. You may use actual gas and oil instead if you kept records; this tool uses the mileage rate.
4. What doesn't count: meals, house-hunting trips, side trips, lavish lodging, buying or selling a home, entering or breaking a lease, security deposits, car repairs, car tags and a driver's license.
5. Reimbursements: what the government paid you comes off the total. A move the government arranged and paid for directly is neither income nor a deduction. If you were paid more than it cost, the extra counts as income.
6. Where it goes: the costs go on Form 3903, line 1 for your things and line 2 for travel, with reimbursements on line 4. The result on line 5 goes on Schedule 1 (Form 1040), line 14. Use a separate Form 3903 for each move.

A deduction lowers the income you're taxed on; it isn't a refund of that amount. This is a guide to the IRS rules, not tax advice. The 2026 Form 3903 instructions were still a draft when we checked, so compare with the final form, and ask a tax professional or your installation's tax center if you're unsure. Your state may have its own rules.