The e-file database at the IRS comes from the Social Security Administration. That is, the e-file process checks your Social Security number against the name on your Social Security card.
Common causes of this are:
1. A misspelling of the last name (you have to call the SSA to find this out).
2. Mistyping your SS number.
3. A change of name that the SSA doesn't know about yet, or was too recent to make it over to the IRS database (which was sent to the IRS several months ago). This is typical of women who get married, change their names, and either forget to tell the SSA or who did it so recently that the SSA hasn't had time yet to sent it to the IRS. The workaround is to use your old name and resubmit your return.
4. You have multiple last names (common with Hispanics), and the SSA thinks that one name is the last name and you think a different name is your last name. Try using the other last name and resubmitting.
If nothing works, then you can print and mail your return, which bypasses the e-file filter that is rejecting your return. If the IRS still has questions after this, they will write you a letter.
Remember that if you mail the return by the due date (which is today - see the link at the top of the page), your return is considered to be filed on time.
