Spouse name change close to filing deadline

[AGV]

My spouse will be naturalized in the first week of March and has opted to change her name as part of the process. Since this is close to April, and all her tax documents will be in her old name. Give the proximity to the April deadline, 

1. Should we file taxes for this year with her old name?

2. If yes,  how long should we wait after filing our taxes, to change her name with Social Security.

Thank You

[MinhT1]

If you have not yet changed your name with the Social Security administration, you must file your tax return using your current name.

There is no need to wait, you can start changing names with the SSA after she acquires her citizenship.

If you have changed your name with the Social Security Administration and have a new SS card in our new name, you must file your taxes in your new name.

You enter all your forms W-2 (including those with your former name) in your tax return. The IRS can identify you with your SSN.

Please read this Social Security document for more information.

[Opus 17]

Does your spouse have a social security number?  If not, will you be applying for one?  If yes, then you should not file until you get the SSN, even if that means getting an extension and waiting until summer.  (You can apply for an extension in March that will extend the deadline to October.)  Then use the name on the SSN card. 

[AGV]

Yes, she has an SSN with her current name. All her tax forms are in her current name....and the her name change will happen in March. On the SS website, they ask to wait for 10 days for changes to reflect, and a new card to be issued. So it will end up being closer to April. Just want to avoid any confusion between the new and old names that close to the deadline. 

[Opus 17 · Accepted solution]

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@AGV wrote:

Yes, she has an SSN with her current name. All her tax forms are in her current name....and the her name change will happen in March. On the SS website, they ask to wait for 10 days for changes to reflect, and a new card to be issued. So it will end up being closer to April. Just want to avoid any confusion between the new and old names that close to the deadline. 

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The name on tax documents (like W-2s and 1099s) does not have to match the name on the tax return.  To get past the e-file verification with the IRS, the name and SSN on the tax return should match the SS database.  However, it's not clear how often the IRS refreshes their copy of the SS name database.  I think the practical answer is, whenever you are ready to file, use the name on file with the SSA as of that day, and if it gets rejected, try the other name.   

[AGV]

Thank you for responding promptly. My concern is with the timing of our situation since the change is happening in March, I wanted to avoid any conflicts. All her tax forms are in her current name. None of them will have her new name on them. As you have mentioned, the IRS will use the SSN, but will the difference in names cause any conflicts?

The option I was considering was to file early in March, wait for a few days for the returns to be processed and then start the update at SSN. Is this a good idea? or should I just go ahead with the changes as you recommended?

[Opus 17]

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@AGV wrote:

Thank you for responding promptly. My concern is with the timing of our situation since the change is happening in March, I wanted to avoid any conflicts. All her tax forms are in her current name. None of them will have her new name on them. As you have mentioned, the IRS will use the SSN, but will the difference in names cause any conflicts?

The option I was considering was to file early in March, wait for a few days for the returns to be processed and then start the update at SSN. Is this a good idea? or should I just go ahead with the changes as you recommended?

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If you can file the returns before you start the name change, that sounds sensible.  I guess it depends on why you were originally thinking of the specific timing you had in mind.  Many people prefer to file as fast as they can to get their refunds, but some poeple are delayed waiting for documents from companies or investments they own or other reasons.  It's up to you.

[AGV]

We usually file in early March due to delayed forms from some organizations and that's what led me to be concerned. Here's to hoping we get all our forms before the end of Feb and get the filing done early.

If not, I will take your suggestion of filling in the name on the SSN card on hand on the day of filing.

I truly appreciate your advice. It helped clear my concerns.