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Article Highlights:

  • E-filing is not possible if married name does not match Social Security Administration (SSA) records.
  • Use SSA Form SS-5 to update SSA records.
  • A married status may produce unexpected tax results.

If you got married during 2013, don’t forget to notify the Social Security Administration (SSA), IRS, and Postal Service of your address and/or name change. If the SSA does not have the same name as used on your tax return, you may not be able to e-file your returns and your refund could be delayed.

Here are some actions that you should take as soon as possible:

  1. Notify the Social Security Administration − Report any name change to the Social Security Administration so that your name and SSN will match when filing your next tax return. Informing the SSA of a name change is quite simple. File a Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card at your local SSA office. You can access the form on SSA’s Web site, by calling 800-772-1213, or at local offices. Your income tax refund may be delayed if it is discovered that your name and SSN don’t match at the time your return is filed.
  2. Notify the IRS – If you have a new address, you should notify the IRS by sending Form 8822, Change of Address.
  3. Notify the U.S. Postal Service – You should also notify the U.S. Postal Service when you move so that any IRS or state tax agency correspondence can be forwarded to your current address.
  4. Review Your Withholding and Estimated Tax Payments – If both you and your new spouse work, your combined income may place you in a higher tax bracket, and you may have an unpleasant surprise when we prepare your return for 2013. On the other hand, if only one of you works, filing jointly with your new spouse can provide a significant tax reduction. The fat is in the fire for 2013; it may be appropriate to review your withholding (W-4 status) and estimated tax payments, if any, for 2014 to make sure you are not going to be under-withheld and set yourself up to receive bad news when the 2014 return is filed.

If you have any questions about how your new marital status will affect your tax filing, please call this office.  We’d be glad to help!