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Community Corner

I've Changed My Name. Now What?

IRS spokeswoman explains what to do if you've changed your name due to marriage or divorce.

If you changed your name as a result of a recent marriage or divorce, you’ll want to take the necessary steps to ensure the name on your tax return next year 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.

If you took your spouse’s last name or if both spouses hyphenate their 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.

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

Informing the SSA of a name change is easy; you’ll just need to file a Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card at your local SSA office and provide a recently issued document as proof of your legal name change.

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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.

About this column: Dianne M. Besunder is IRS spokeswoman for New York. Follow her on Twitter @DianneIRS.

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