Filing taxes after you’ve changed your name might bring up a lot of questions. If you’ve ever legally changed your name, you know that you must notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) for it to be official.
Even though the SSA and the IRS are separate, the IRS uses your Social Security number (SSN) to ensure that the info on your tax return is correct. If the name and number on record with the SSA doesn’t match your tax return, it could cause your refund to be delayed.
For this reason, it’s very important that the name on your tax return matches the name associated with your SSN. Here’s what you should know about legally updating your name and what you need to do when it is time to file.
How to legally change your name
To officially change your name, you need to submit Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card. This form and the instructions are available online at SSA.gov. Along with the form, you must provide legal documentation of your name changes, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
Allow a minimum of 10 days after the SSA updates your records before you file a tax return. This will allow enough time for the records to be updated across all databases.
Do I need to let the IRS know I changed my name?
The IRS matches the name and SSN reported on your tax return with the records at the SSA. Therefore, you do not need to let the IRS know you’ve changed your name – as long as you have changed your name with the SSA office.
After changing your name, your first step should be to update your name with the SSA. The name on your tax return must match the name registered with the Social Security Administration. You’ll need to submit Form SS-5 to the SSA and the required documents to prove your identity and name change. This documentation could be a marriage or divorce decree, a court order with the name change, or an amended or corrected birth certificate.
In general, you should wait at least ten days after the SSA changes your records before filing your tax return. This leaves enough time for your name to be changed across all the verification databases used by the IRS.
Should I file my taxes before I change my name with the SSA?
You should change your name with the SSA before filing your tax return. Once you change your name with the SSA, you should allow a minimum of 10 days before filing your tax return. This will give the IRS database time to update with the latest record changes.
If you file too early after a name change, the IRS may still have your former name in their database, causing your return to be rejected. If you choose to file after changing your name, give yourself ample time before the Tax Day deadline to prevent any delays in processing your return.
How to file taxes after changing your name
When you’re ready to file your taxes, complete your forms as you usually would, but be sure to use your new legal name exactly as it appears in the SSA’s records. This ensures your return matches IRS records and avoids any delays. Once your name has been updated with the SSA and reflected on your tax returns, everything else about the filing process remains the same.
What name goes on my tax return if I haven’t officially changed my name yet?
On your tax return, you always need to enter the name exactly as it is shown on your current Social Security card. If you’re a newlywed but you haven’t officially changed your name yet, enter your name as it appears on your Social Security card right now.
Note: Even if your last names don’t match, you and your spouse should not file as single. You will need to file as married filing jointly or separately. When you are married any time before Dec. 31 of the current tax year, the IRS considers you as married for the entire year for tax purposes.
What if my former name is on my W-2?
TaxSlayer uses your SSN to match your W-2 with your return – so if you’ve already notified the SSA of your name change, go ahead and file under your new name. But tell your employer about your name change, and make sure they correct your information for next year.
What if my dependent’s name changed?
The same basic info is true here: The SSA needs to be notified first. If your dependent is a minor, you must complete the name change application for them. The name used to claim the dependent on your tax return needs to match the name on their Social Security card.
If you adopted a child and their last name has not officially been changed to your own by the time you need to file, you can apply for a temporary Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number (ATIN) with the IRS. You’ll use Form W-7A, Application for Taxpayer Identification Number for Pending U.S Adoptions, found on the IRS website. If you are adopting a child who is not a U.S. citizen, you can obtain a taxpayer ID for them using Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
Note: If you’ve gone through the adoption process, you may be eligible to claim the Adoption Tax Credit to offset your out-of-pocket to adopt a child under age 18, or a person who is physically and mentally incapable of caring for themselves.
What if I am recently divorced and need to change my name?
Updating your name, personal information, and taxes after a divorce is important. You’ll also need to consider things like your filing status, W-4, and possibly even alimony or child support payments. If you’ve changed your name due to divorce, the process for updating it with the SSA is the same as if you were changing it due to marriage. Just like any name change, you should wait at least 10 days after the SSA update before filing your return.
How to resolve tax issues after changing your name
If you run into issues with your tax return after changing your name, such as rejected return or delayed refund, it’s usually due to a mismatch between your name and SSA records. First, confirm that your name change has been successfully processed by the SSA. If you’re still having issues, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 for assistance. You may be asked to provide documentation to verify your name changes, so make sure you have that on hand before you call.
