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New Member
posted Apr 17, 2021 1:11:22 PM

Turbo Tax won't accept my last name. I keep receiving an error that says, "Please enter your last name, using only letters"

I have a compound last name (NO hyphen) and have only entered letters.

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1 Best answer
Expert Alumni
Apr 17, 2021 3:19:08 PM

If you have a space in your name, remove that as well.  TurboTax will read a space as a character as well, causing an error similar to the hyphen.  This happens to me as well.  


For example if your last name is Smith Jones, Enter it in TurboTax as SmithJones.  This is similar to how the IRS computers will also match up your name.  

5 Replies
Expert Alumni
Apr 17, 2021 3:19:08 PM

If you have a space in your name, remove that as well.  TurboTax will read a space as a character as well, causing an error similar to the hyphen.  This happens to me as well.  


For example if your last name is Smith Jones, Enter it in TurboTax as SmithJones.  This is similar to how the IRS computers will also match up your name.  

New Member
Feb 4, 2024 11:27:15 AM

My last name is O’Neal and it’s saying type this way. I do and it won’t accept it idk what to do. 

Expert Alumni
Feb 5, 2024 6:01:29 AM

The IRS matched what is on files at Social Security. They match the last four digits of your social security number and the first four letters on your last name.

New Member
Feb 5, 2024 10:09:55 AM

I’m entering it the same exact way. 

Expert Alumni
Feb 5, 2024 10:11:21 AM

Do you have two last names, or a name that could be considered a middle name instead of a last name?