Will a Name Change Delay My Tax Refund?

02-26-2013Tax Information

If you recently changed your name (married or divorced), be sure to notify the Social Security Administration before you file your taxes with the IRS. If the name on your tax return does not match SSA records, the IRS will flag it as an error and that may delay your refund. This includes your dependents.

File Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card, (www.ssa.gov, by calling 800-772-1213) at your local SSA office or by mail with proof of your legal name change if:

• You married and you are using your new spouse’s last name or a hyphenated last name.
• You divorced and are now using your former last name.
• You adopted your new spouse’s children and their names changed. For adopted children without SSNs, the parents can apply for an Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number 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).

Your new card will have the same number as your former card but will show your new name.