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I got married in December 2024, and I have not changed my name yet. How should I file?

 
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I got married in December 2024, and I have not changed my name yet. How should I file?

You should use the name that's on social security.  So that will be  your maiden name if you haven't changed it yet.  You can have a different last name on your tax return.  

 

You should usually file a Joint return which is only 1 return combined for the both of you. Joint has the lowest tax rates and the highest Standard Deduction. And if you are in a Community Property state MFS gets tricky to figure out. Make sure to stick with this one account for the future. Just ignore the other spouse's account.


Start a return and enter your name and info. It will ask if you are single or married. When you pick married a box will open for her name and info. Then when you enter any forms like W2s or 1099s be sure to pick who it is for. That is very important. When you get married you are considered married for the whole year even if you got married on Dec 31.


Getting Married FAQ
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-filing-status/help/what-does-getting-married-mean-for-my-taxes...


Tax info on getting married
https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/marriage/getting-married/L0DvEUlEC


Did you both use Turbo Tax last year?

You can not transfer from or combine 2 returns or accounts. Just pick the return for the spouse that has the most complicated return to enter or has any depreciation or business or more investments. Or use the account/return for whoever you want to be listed first going forward (by the way you can not change the order of the names). Then add the other spouse's name, ssn and info to it.

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2 Replies
MindyB
Employee Tax Expert

I got married in December 2024, and I have not changed my name yet. How should I file?

Regardless of your name, you should file as married. ‌It's your choice to file Married Filing Jointly, which is often beneficial, or Married Filing Separately. You should file your tax return based on your marital status at the end of the year, on December 31. Also, it's optional to change your name and won't impact your tax return.

 

Here's some information on the filing choices: How Should You and Your Spouse File Taxes? Married Filing Jointly vs Separately

I got married in December 2024, and I have not changed my name yet. How should I file?

You should use the name that's on social security.  So that will be  your maiden name if you haven't changed it yet.  You can have a different last name on your tax return.  

 

You should usually file a Joint return which is only 1 return combined for the both of you. Joint has the lowest tax rates and the highest Standard Deduction. And if you are in a Community Property state MFS gets tricky to figure out. Make sure to stick with this one account for the future. Just ignore the other spouse's account.


Start a return and enter your name and info. It will ask if you are single or married. When you pick married a box will open for her name and info. Then when you enter any forms like W2s or 1099s be sure to pick who it is for. That is very important. When you get married you are considered married for the whole year even if you got married on Dec 31.


Getting Married FAQ
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-filing-status/help/what-does-getting-married-mean-for-my-taxes...


Tax info on getting married
https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/marriage/getting-married/L0DvEUlEC


Did you both use Turbo Tax last year?

You can not transfer from or combine 2 returns or accounts. Just pick the return for the spouse that has the most complicated return to enter or has any depreciation or business or more investments. Or use the account/return for whoever you want to be listed first going forward (by the way you can not change the order of the names). Then add the other spouse's name, ssn and info to it.

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