Filing an Amended Tax Return After Changing Your Name
Hello,
My sister is getting ready to file an amended tax return because she didn't realize that she was able to file as head of household when she had her child and was single and ran a home. Since then she has gotten married and had changed her name. When she signs the form should she sign it with her single name, or as her married name and include a copy of her marriage certificate?
Thank you for your time
Re: Amended Tax Return and Name Change
She needs to use the same name that she has with the Social Security Administration (SSA). She needs to update SSA with her new name and to do that she’ll need to send SSA a copy of her marriage certificate if that is the the document that resulted in the name change. IRS matches what she puts on the return with SSA; if they do not match up the return may be unprocessable and that’s a headache. If she has not yet changed the name with SSA and is ready to file the return now then she ought to file the amended return with her old name as she has with SSA and then once that return is processed go and change her name with SSA. From that point forward, she’ll use her new married name. See the IRS page on name change after marriage or divorce for more information.
Re: Amended Tax Return and Name Change
Thank you for the update.
So since she HAS changed her name with the SSA, she should use that name on all the forms NOT just sign it with the new name, right?
Also, I appreciate how you guys always provide links to additional info. It's very helpful
Re: Amended Tax Return and Name Change
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readytoleave
So since she HAS changed her name with the SSA, she should use that name on all the forms NOT just sign it with the new name, right?
Yes, she should use the new name in the name block at the top of the return and sign it with that name since she has already made the change with SSA.