I have dual citizenship. In one country (where I grew up), my formal last name is a compound: 1st my father's last and 2nd mother's last name. Together they are my last name in that country. In the U.S.A. (where I was born and returned to live in, years ago) my passport and SS card only have my father's last name (no compounds).
The problem: I started filing USA taxes using only my first last name, as in my official USA documents. But since 2008, I have been filing taxes with my compound last name (as in my other country's citizenship documents). So, the IRS has tax filings with the 2 versions. I have never had a problem. But:
1. Do I need to correct this? If so, where do I start?
2. Will I run into problems when I qualify for medicare if I do not fix this?
Thank you for your help!
Your name for tax purposes should match the name on your social security card.
Your name on your tax return needs to match the name on your Social Security card when you prepare your U.S. tax return.
You asked:
1. Do I need to correct this? If so, where do I start?
2. Will I run into problems when I qualify for medicare if I do not fix this?
If you are worried about what might happen regarding Social Security benefits and/or Medicare, you should ask the Social Security Administration about that.
Thank you. Before contacting the Social Security Adminsitration (which will likely be a longer process), is there a professional that can advise on how to proceed and maybe help to do paperwork? Would an accountant do that? Thanks again!
You should be able to work with social security without involving anyone else.