Marriage or Divorce ? Check Your Social Security Number

Newlyweds and the recently divorced should make sure that names on their tax returns match those registered with the Social Security Administration (SSA). A mismatch between a name on the tax return and a Social Security number (SSN) could unexpectedly increase a tax bill or reduce the size of any refund.

For newlyweds, the tax scenario can begin when the bride says "I do" and takes her husband's surname, but doesn't tell the SSA about the name change. If the couple files a joint tax return with her new name, the IRS computers will not be able to match the new name with the SSN. This could result in tax assessments or even an audit since the IRS may be under the impression that you are simply evading taxes.

Similarly, after a divorce, a woman who had taken her husband's name and had made that change known to the SSA should contact the SSA if she reassumes a previous name. Failure to take this action can lead to audits. Can you imagine going through an audit with your former spouse?

It's easy to inform the SSA of a name change by filing Form SS-5 at a local SSA office. It usually takes two weeks to have the change verified. The form is available on the agency's Web site, www.ssa.gov, by calling toll free 1-800-772-1213 and at local offices. The SSA Web site provides the addresses of local offices.

Richard Chapo is CEO of http://www.businesstaxrecovery.com - Obtaining tax refunds for small businesses by finding overlooked tax deductions and credits through a free tax return review.

efficient cleaning crew Northbrook ..
In The News:

Chinese hackers used Anthropic's Claude AI to launch autonomous cyberattacks on 30 organizations worldwide, marking a major shift in cybersecurity threats.
Apple's new Sleep Score feature gives you a rating for your nightly rest quality. Learn how to set it up on your Apple Watch and iPhone today.
Essential phone settings to enable before losing your device, including Find My network, location services and security features for iPhone and Android.
The Fox News AI Newsletter gives readers the latest AI technology advancements, covering the challenges and opportunities AI presents.
Cybersecurity research shows weak passwords remain a major threat, with simple patterns and number sequences putting millions of accounts at risk.
New Android malware BankBot YNRK silences phones, steals banking data and drains crypto wallets automatically. Learn how this advanced threat works.
FDA approves first human trial for Paradromics' brain-computer interface that could restore speech for paralyzed patients through neural technology.
New phishing platform QRR targets Microsoft 365 users across 1,000 domains in 90 countries. Learn how to spot fake login pages and protect your accounts.
OpenTable now uses AI to track your dining habits and share insights with restaurants. Learn what data they collect and how to protect your privacy.
Google's discontinued Nest thermostats still secretly upload home data to company servers despite losing smart features, raising serious privacy concerns.
New Android malware NGate steals NFC payment codes in real-time, allowing criminals to withdraw cash from ATMs without your card. Learn protection tips.
DoorDash confirms data breach exposing customer names, emails, addresses after social engineering attack. Learn how to protect yourself from scams.
Concerned about Google's AI scanning your Gmail? Learn how to disable Gemini features that access your emails, Drive files and Chat messages for privacy.
Google warns Android users about dangerous fake VPN apps hiding malware that steals passwords, banking details and personal data from phones and tablets.
Apple's digital passport feature lets iPhone users breeze through TSA checkpoints this holiday season using Digital ID technology at 250+ airports.
A new phishing scam targets family photos with fake "Cloud Storage Full" alerts. Criminals steal credit card information through fake sites. Learn protection tips.
South Korean scientists create ultra-thin fabric muscles that turn clothes into robotic assistants, lifting 33 pounds while weighing under half an ounce.
Archer Aviation has acquired Hawthorne Airport for $126M to launch an LA air taxi network ahead of the 2028 Olympics, featuring AI-powered eVTOL operations and next-gen aviation tech.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Fake AI apps disguised as "ChatGPT" and "DALLĀ·E" are flooding app stores with dangerous malware that steals data and monitors users without detection.
Fake buyers demand specific vehicle reports from unknown sites to steal credit card information from car sellers, but warning signs can help identify these scams before paying.
Android users can now manage apps across multiple devices more easily with Google Play Store's updated remote uninstall button in the latest update.
NASA's Perseverance rover discovers shiny metallic rock on Mars that could be a meteorite from an ancient asteroid, containing high levels of iron and nickel.
Holiday scams spike during Black Friday and Cyber Monday as criminals exploit your leaked personal data. Learn how to protect yourself from fake stores and phishing.
Commerce Department proposes TP-Link router ban over Chinese security risks. Learn how this potential prohibition could affect your home network and devices.

Access to E-records by Taxing Authorities: A Case for Pakistan (Part I)

Background issues of access to recordsTo assess the records at... Read More

Fraudulent Tax Shelters ? KMPG Goes Down Hard

In the largest criminal tax case ever filed, KMPG has... Read More

SFR Substitute for Returns: IRS Action on Non-Filers

In the latest Star Wars episode, the evil empire executes... Read More

Uncle Sam is Ready...Are You? Organizing Tips for Tax Time

Anyone who is closely related to an accountant knows that... Read More

Correspondence From The IRS ? Yikes!

It's a moment every person dreads. You pick up the... Read More

Need a Copy of Your Tax Return Information?

Taxpayers have two easy and convenient options for getting copies... Read More

How To Claim CHILD TAX CREDIT The Right Way And Add An Extra $2,000 To Your Refund

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that it costs nearly... Read More

Six Urban Myths About Taxation

Six Urban Myths ? Taxation"I am proud to be paying... Read More

Understanding Marketing Tax Deductions

Marketing is a necessary expense in running practically any business... Read More

Tax Trap #5 -- Ignoring The IRS (and the 5 best ways to contact them!)

We all love to criticize the IRS, don't we? And... Read More

Tax Audits: What Signs Make You More Likely to be Audited by the IRS?

It's a major fear for most Americans: A notice from... Read More

Home Based Business Tax Deductions

Running a home based business reaps many wonderful tax deductions... Read More

The Internet Tax Man Cometh

Q: I was contacted by the city tax collector to... Read More

Tips and Simple Guidelines on How to Calculate Payroll Taxes

Managing a business small, medium or big requires you to... Read More

Gambling Income and Expenses - Tax Requirements

Hit a big one? With more and more gambling establishments,... Read More

Corporations Failing To Claim AMT Exemption Overpay Taxes By $11,000

Does your incorporated business pay alternative minimum tax ["AMT]? If... Read More

How to Donate Your Car to Charity and Get Tax Deduction

Donating your used car to charity is a win-win situation;... Read More

Tax Help Secret: Avoiding the Entreprenuers Curse

Your days as an entrepreneur and businessperson are consumed with... Read More

Taxation of Isle of Man Companies from April 2006

At the present time a company incorporated in the Isle... Read More

Keeping Your Own Money ? NOT Handing It Over To The Taxman

Most people trying to make a crust online (or offline... Read More

Reducing Taxes Through Dividend-Salary Mix Calculations

Should I take wages or dividends from my privately owned... Read More

The Implications of Income Tax Charge on Estate Planning

OverviewIn the Pre-Budget Report of December 2003 the Chancellor Gordon... Read More

Tax Time Tune Up

Excerpted from the new book, "How to Do Space Age... Read More

IRS Statute of Limitations: Do Taxes Ever Expire?

Many Americans believe that an IRS debt is a debt... Read More

Small Business Tax Credit - Americans with Disabilities Act

Many small businesses complain when confronted with the expense of... Read More

cleaning lady near Wilmette ..