If you’ve recently married or divorced, you’ll need to do a few things to make sure you are paying the correct amount of income tax and that all information on your tax return matches the government agencies’ records.
Notify the Social Security Administration
If you have changed your name, you will need to update your records with the Social Security Administration. It’s important that your name and Social Security number match on your next tax return. File form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card which is available at www.ssa.gov, or stop into your local office to submit your updated form.
Notify the IRS if you move
If you have an address change, update your information on IRS Form 8822, Change of Address. This form can be downloaded from www.irs.gov.
Notify the U.S. Postal Service
If you have moved, you’ll need to notify the U.S. Postal Service. Submit a forwarding request online at www.usps.com or visit your local post office.
Notify your employer by completing a W4 form
Submit a W-4 form to your employer(s) with your updated name and/or address as well as any change to your filing status and number of dependents to properly withhold income tax.
Talk with your CPA to determine which tax form to file
They type of tax form to file may be different based on your new situation. You may have filed the short forms since you may not have had many deductions. Now you may have enough deductions for an itemized return. Charitable giving, mortgage interest, or other deductions may be enough to make it worth filing the longer return.
When a name change occurs, there are many things that need to be updated. Don’t wait until the last minute or you may forget and then be surprised when filing your tax return.