What does my marital status change mean for my taxes?

Marital changes can mean a few things for your taxes, depending on where you are in your relationship. There are some differences for those who are married, but separated, and those who are officially divorced. As you get started on your return, here are some things to know.

1. Your married filing status can change even before your divorce is finalized.

Even if you were legally married as of December 31, 2024, you might still be eligible to claim a Head of Household filing status if certain conditions apply.

2. Only one of you can claim each dependent.

If you do file your return separately, only one of you (you or your ex-spouse) can claim each of your dependents. So, if you have children or adult dependents you both claimed in the past, only one of you can claim each now. If your dependent lived with you for a longer period of time during the year than with your ex-spouse, generally you would claim them on your return.

3. The name you file your return with must match what’s on your Social Security card.

Divorces take time to finalize, and while you may have already elected to go by your name before marriage, you must file your return with whichever name is on your Social Security card. So if you haven’t gone to the Social Security Administration to officially change your name back to what it was previously, you must file your return with your married name. The IRS verifies names and Social Security numbers directly with the SSA database, so if your name doesn’t match, your return will be rejected and you’ll have to resubmit with the correct name.