What You Need To Know About Taxes If You're Getting Married
It may not be high on the list of wedding planning activities,
but there are a few simple steps that can help keep tax issues
from interrupting your newly wedded bliss. If you recently
married, check out your new tax situation. You might save money
or even prevent the problem of a missing refund check.
The first things to handle are changes of name and address.
Later, as tax season approaches, consider whether or not you'll
itemize deductions, which tax return form is right for you and
what filing status you'll use.
No one should delay the cake cutting or honeymoon because of
taxes. But here are some helpful hints for later: Use Your
Correct Name
You must provide correct names and identification numbers to
claim personal exemptions on your tax return. If you changed
your name upon marrying, let the Social Security Administration
know and update your Social Security card so the number matches
your new name. Use Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security
Card.
Change of Address
If you or your spouse has a new address, notify the U.S. Postal
Service so that it will be able to forward any tax refunds or
IRS correspondence. The Postal Service will also pass your new
address on to IRS for updating. You may also notify to notify
the IRS directly by filing Form 8822.
Refund Checks
Each year, the Postal Service returns thousands of tax refund
checks as undeliverable, usually because the addressee has
moved. Notifying both the Postal Service and the IRS of an
address change in a timely manner can help ensure the proper
delivery of any refund checks. To check the status of a tax
refund, go to the IRS web site and use the "Where