IRS Tips: What to Do If You Are Recently Married or Divorced

If you recently got married or divorce, you may have had a name change. The IRS keeps sending notices, to make sure taxpayers understand, how the name change procedure works.

Your social security number MUST match your name, or the name on your tax return. Any deviation between the name on the tax return and the SSA records can cause a serious delay in the processing of the tax return. It surely will delay your refund.

The IRS list five ways you can handle the name change issue:
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1. f you took your spouse’s last name -- or if you hyphenated your last names, you may run into complications if you don’t notify the SSA. When newlyweds file a tax return using their new last names, IRS computers can’t match the new name with their Social Security number.

2. If you recently divorced and changed back to your previous last name, you’ll also need to notify the SSA of this name change.

I3. Informing the SSA of a name change is easy. Simply file a Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card, at your local SSA office or by mail and provide a recently issued document as proof of your legal name change.

4. Form SS-5 is available on SSA’s website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/, by calling 800-772-1213 or at local offices. Your new card will have the same number as your previous card, but will show your new name.

5. If you adopted your spouse’s children after getting married and their names changed, you'll need to update their names with SSA too. For adopted children without SSNs, the parents can apply for an Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number – or ATIN – by filing Form W-7A, Application for Taxpayer Identification Number for Pending U.S. Adoptions with the IRS. The ATIN is a temporary number used in place of an SSN on the tax return. Form W-7A is available on the IRS.gov website or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

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Note: Because these agencies can become overwhelmed with work, it may be best to file an extension (October 15) and make sure the changes have taken place. If it is the refund you are after, be sure to check with the SSA on how long before the change will be effective.