Do I need to change my maiden name on my Social Security card to file jointly?
Q) Do I need to change my maiden name on my Social Security card to file jointly? A) According to the IRS: No. You can still file “Married Filing Jointly” without changing your name with the Social Security Administration.
- Make sure that the name shown on your Social Security card matches the name you use on your tax return.
- If you haven’t changed your name with the Social Security Administration you will need to show your maiden name on the tax return instead of your married name.
- For information on changing a name on your Social Security card due to marriage, contact the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778) or visit the Social Security Administration website.
Because the IRS processes the first return it receives, if another person claims your dependent first, the IRS will reject your return. The IRS won’t tell you who claimed your dependent. But if you don’t suspect anyone who could have claimed the dependent, your dependent may be a victim of tax identity theft. You’ll need to take some steps to protect your right to claim the dependent and your refund if you don’t think that the other person was eligible to claim your dependent. First, double check that you meet all of the requirements to claim the dependent.
The IRS may delay your refund while the IRS looks into the issue, but you should still receive your refund. File a paper return. Note that when you file a paper return, it can take six to eight weeks for the IRS to process. This includes things like birth certificates and proof of identity, but also documents that show that your dependent lived with you at the same address for more than half of the year. This doesn’t mean that you can’t correct the situation. Don’t panic. The most important thing to remember is to prove with proper documentation that you are entitled to claim the dependent. Document your case as the IRS rules for claiming a dependent can get complicated.