Filed ret yesterday. Used Wife's maiden name. Should we wait to change her name with SSA until after return is processed? Or okay to apply for change with SSA now?

[kb0olf]

We were married in November 2017, she has not yet changed her name with SSA.  I filed my tax return yesterday using her current name.  Should we wait to apply for a name change with SSA until my return is processed?  Or are we okay to change it now?

[PatriciaR · Accepted solution]

The name on your tax return should match the name you have on record with the Social Security Administration.

If you were married or divorced during the tax year, and changed your name, make sure that the name on your tax return matches the name registered with the Social Security Administration (SSA). If they do not match, your tax refund could be delayed.

Because you have not yet changed your wife's name with the Social Security Administration, using her maiden name was correct.

I advise waiting until your tax return is completely processed including receiving your refund (if applicable) before changing her name with the Social Security Administration.  If the IRS is notified by the Social Security Administration of a name change, it could delay the processing of your tax return.

Once the Social Security records are updated, it can take up to four weeks to transfer the updated information to the IRS. You can call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to verify that their records are correct.