Adopted 2 kids from foster care july 2018, children changed 1st and last names legally but our return was rejected because ss & names didn't match what they have on file?

[SteamTrain · Accepted solution]

1)  Could depend on when you changed their names.   It can take a few months for the SS and IRS computers to get "Sync'd".  IF done back in July...they should be in there now.  (You could try their old names and SSNs to see what happens ((But if you do, you may have to revisit the child-related tax deductions & credits sections again))...if it goes thru, then you would switch to their new names next year...but it is still critical to check #2 below soon)

2) Next....Check with SS to make sure they have the correct names and SSN's in their system.   They could have mis-keyed their names (but should be OK if their names on their new SS cards are also OK).

3)  Even if #1 and #2 are OK... if you are expecting a refund, you could wait another month and try again....but sometimes you just have to grit your teeth, and change your tax filing method to file-by-mail and mail in all your tax documents yourself...It should be cleared up by next year's filing...but this year could just be paper-filing.