Five Tips for Recently Married or Divorced Taxpayers with a Name Change
Here are five tips for recently married or divorced taxpayers with a name change.
If you changed your name after a recent marriage or divorce, the IRS reminds you to take the necessary steps to ensure the name on your tax return matches the name registered with the Social Security Administration. A mismatch between the name shown on your tax return and the SSA records can cause problems in the processing of your return and may even delay your refund.
From the IRS
Here are five tips from the IRS for recently married or divorced taxpayers who have a name change.
1. If 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.
3. 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).
Link to more taxpayer information:
Form W-7A Application for Taxpayer Identification Number for Pending U.S. Adoptions (ATIN)
We hope you found this article about “Five Tips for Recently Married or Divorced Taxpayers with a Name Change” helpful. If you have questions or need expert tax or family office advice that’s refreshingly objective (we never sell investments), please contact us or visit our Family office page or our website at www.GROCO.com. Unfortunately, we no longer give advice to other tax professionals gratis.
To receive our free newsletter, contact us here.
Subscribe our YouTube Channel for more updates.
Alan Olsen, is the Host of the American Dreams Show and the Managing Partner of GROCO.com. GROCO is a premier family office and tax advisory firm located in the San Francisco Bay area serving clients all over the world.
Alan L. Olsen, CPA, Wikipedia Bio
GROCO.com is a proud sponsor of The American Dreams Show.
The American Dreams show was the brainchild of Alan Olsen, CPA, MBA. It was originally created to fill a specific need; often inexperienced entrepreneurs lacked basic information about raising capital and how to successfully start a business.
Alan sincerely wanted to respond to the many requests from aspiring entrepreneurs asking for the information and introductions they needed. But he had to find a way to help in which his venture capital clients and friends would not mind.
The American Dreams show became the solution, first as a radio show and now with YouTube videos as well. Always respectful of interview guest’s time, he’s able to give access to individuals information and inspiration previously inaccessible to the first-time entrepreneurs who need it most.
They can listen to venture capitalists and successful business people explain first-hand, how they got to where they are, how to start a company, how to overcome challenges, how they see the future evolving, opportunities, work-life balance and so much more..
American Dreams discusses many topics from some of the world’s most successful individuals about their secrets to life’s success. Topics from guest have included:
Creating purpose in life / Building a foundation for their life / Solving problems / Finding fulfillment through philanthropy and service / Becoming self-reliant / Enhancing effective leadership / Balancing family and work…
MyPaths.com (Also sponsored by GROCO) provides free access to content and world-class entrepreneurs, influencers and thought leaders’ personal success stories. To help you find your path in life to true, sustainable success & happiness. It’s mission statement:
In an increasingly complex and difficult world, we hope to help you find your personal path in life and build a strong foundation by learning how others found success and happiness. True and sustainable success and happiness are different for each one of us but possible, often despite significant challenges.
Our mission at MyPaths.com is to provide resources and firsthand accounts of how others found their paths in life, so you can do the same.
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Don’t Expect to Find These Deductions When You File This Year
Don’t Expect to Find These Deductions When You File This Year A lot has been made of the all the tax changes this year, thanks to the Tax Cut and Jobs Act. Many of the laws have been altered and some have been completely eliminated. Certain credits have been cut, while others have been increased.…
Florida Man Tries to Keep Huge Tax Refund That Was A Mistake
Florida Man Tries to Keep Huge Tax Refund That Was A Mistake Just about every taxpayer eagerly waits for his or her tax refund this time of year. No matter what they plan to do with it, taxpayers can’t wait for that fat check from the IRS. But what if you somehow got a huge…
How Much Will Amazon Pay in Taxes on $11.2 Billion in Profit?
You might think a company that makes more than $11 billion in profit would have a huge tax bill. After all, that makes complete sense. However, in the case of Amazon, the online retail giant, their tax bill is quite small. In fact, according to recent reports, the company will be paying a whopping $0…
How to Claim Deductions for the Business Use of Your Vehicle
How to Claim Deductions for the Business Use of Your Vehicle One of the most common tax deductions for those who have a business is the use of a vehicle. If you use your vehicle for business then depending on your situation, you could reduce your business income significantly. That could be a big boost…