HELP: Rejected tax return due to name change after marriage

The issue is that your tax return needs to match exactly what's in the Social Security Administration's records. Even though you've submitted your name change request, until it's fully processed, your legal name in their system is still your maiden name. When you e-file, the IRS does an automated check against SSA records to verify your identity. Since you filed using your new married name but the SSA still has your maiden name on record, that's causing the rejection. You have two options: 1) File your taxes using your maiden name, which matches what's currently in the SSA system, or 2) Wait until your name change is fully processed and you receive your new Social Security card before filing. If you're concerned about timing, using your maiden name is the simplest solution. This won't affect your filing status - you can still file as married - it just means using your old last name for this tax season.

I went through this exact same headache last year! After trying everything, I finally found this service called taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) that saved me so much time sorting through all the name change confusion with my taxes. I had submitted my name change to SSA but my tax return got rejected twice because of mismatches. What helped was uploading my marriage certificate and rejection notice to taxr.ai - they analyzed everything and outlined exactly what I needed to do to get my return accepted. They explained that the SSA processing takes time to update in the IRS systems, even after you get your new card. The best part was they could tell me with certainty which name to use based on the timing of my application and current processing times. Honestly wish I'd found them before wasting hours on the phone with IRS.

Just wanted to update that I tried taxr.ai after posting my question here and it was incredibly helpful! I uploaded my divorce decree and tax rejection notice, and within a day they explained exactly why my return was getting rejected. They confirmed my name change hadn't fully propagated through the IRS systems yet even though I had my new SS card. I was trying to file with my new name, but they showed me I needed to use my married name one more time for this tax season since that's what the IRS database still had. They even showed me where in IRS publication 17 this is explained. Saved me from getting rejected again and delaying my refund even longer. Just thought I'd share since it actually worked for my situation!

If you're struggling to get through to the Social Security office about your name change status, try Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I used their service to skip the wait times when dealing with a similar name change issue last year. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c My husband and I got married in December, and I'd submitted my name change paperwork but was getting conflicting info about what name to use for taxes. I was on hold with SSA for over 2 hours before I gave up. With Claimyr, I got a call back from an actual SSA representative in about 20 minutes. They confirmed my name change was still processing and I needed to use my maiden name for that year's taxes. Seriously, trying to reach government offices these days is impossible without something like this. Worth it to get a definitive answer directly from SSA.

I need to eat my words. After posting my skeptical comment yesterday, I was still fighting with my own tax rejection due to a name change. Out of desperation, I tried Claimyr, and I'm shocked to say it actually worked. I got connected to an SSA rep in about 35 minutes (instead of the 3+ hours I spent on hold myself last week). The representative confirmed my name change was in their system but hadn't fully processed, which is why my tax return was getting rejected. She told me exactly which name to use on my return and explained when I could expect the change to be fully completed. I just resubmitted my taxes with my old name as the rep suggested, and it was accepted immediately. Never been happier to be wrong about something!

I dealt with this last year! The trick is that you need to file with whatever name is CURRENTLY on file with Social Security. Since your name change isn't completed yet, file with your maiden name. Even though you've submitted the paperwork, until they process it and you get your new card, your legal name in their system is still your maiden name. That's what the IRS checks against during e-filing. Don't worry about your W-2 having a different name - as long as the SSN matches, it'll be fine. And you can still file as married filing jointly even while using your maiden name!

Has anyone tried just using both names? When I got married, I filed as "Jane Maiden-Married" since my paperwork was still processing. It went through without issues.

I just went through this exact situation a few months ago! The key thing to understand is that there's often a delay between when you submit your name change application and when it actually updates in the IRS verification system. Here's what worked for me: I called the Social Security Administration directly (yes, the wait times are brutal) and asked them to confirm what name is currently showing in their records for my SSN. They told me that even though I had submitted my paperwork, my maiden name was still the "active" name in their system until the processing was complete. I ended up filing my taxes using my maiden name, and it went through without any issues. You can still file as "married filing jointly" even while using your maiden name - the filing status is separate from the name issue. One tip: if you do need to call SSA, try calling right when they open (usually 7 AM local time) to avoid the worst of the hold times. Good luck, and don't stress too much - this is a super common issue that lots of newly married people deal with!