Tax Filing

[oaudrey19]

Hi.  I have a two questions regarding how to file my 2019 taxes appropriately.

Question 1 - Should I file my 2019 taxes indicating my maiden last name or my married last name?

I need clarification on how my full name should appear when filing my taxes. I got married late last year. Although my marriage certificate indicates change of last name, I have not officially changed my last name. Hence, my SSN still has my original full name and so does all of my 2019 tax documents. Please, what last name should i indicate?

Question 2 - Should I indicate my marital status when filing my 2019 taxes, even though my full name has not officially changed?

Thanks for your help in advance!

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

If you were legally married on 12/31/2019 then you file as either Married Filing Jointly or Married Filing Separately on the 2019 tax return.

You enter your name on the tax return with the name that is on your current Social Security card.  Your last name and the last name of your spouse do not have to match.  

[NCperson]

1) use whatever name is NOW (literally today)  on file with social security. 

2) if you are married on Dec 31, 2019, you are married, filing joint.

[oaudrey19]

That helps! Thank you!