Congratulations! You have tied the knot and cut the cake… Now what? Although next
year’s tax day seems far away, it will be here before you know it. Here are four simple
steps you can take soon after tying the knot to make your first joint income tax return
less stressful.

Step 1: Marriage can mean a change in name. Ensure the names you will enter on your
first tax return match the names and Social Security numbers on file with the Social
Security Administration. Make the change with SSA as soon as possible if there is a
spousal name change. 

Step 2: Even if you get married on Dec. 31, 2011, you are considered to have been
married for the entire year. Check your withholding to be sure you are having enough
taxes taken out of your paychecks. If you both work, your combined income may place
you in a higher tax bracket.

The IRS Withholding Calculator will help you figure the correct amount of withholding for a married couple. Making a change to your withholding now can eliminate or reduce a tax bill next year. Use Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate, to make the needed adjustments and give the form to your employer. 

Step 3: Make sure the IRS knows of your correct mailing address. Either you can notify the US Postal Service or you can complete and mail an IRS Form 8822, Change of Address form, to the address listed on page 2 of the form.

Step 4: Just in case you forgot to invite your employers to the wedding, let them know
about any name and address changes as soon as possible. This will ensure that you
receive your Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, at the right time to file. Also, ensure
other payers, such as banks and investment companies, have your updated name and
address as well.

You may be wondering how being married will affect your taxes. When you file your
return, you will be able to choose between filing jointly with your spouse (which may
lower your combined tax) or using the filing status called married and filing separately. 

When it comes to wedding planning, details are important. So take these steps now to
ensure your first tax season as husband and wife goes as smoothly as your wedding.

Are you getting married this summer? If you recently got married or are planning a wedding, the last thing on your mind is taxes. However, there are some important steps you need to take to avoid stress at tax time. Here are five tips from the IRS for newlyweds to keep in mind.

1. Notify the Social Security Administration Report any name change to the Social Security Administration, so your name and Social Security Number will match when you file your next tax return. Informing the SSA of a name change is quite simple. File a Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card, at your local SSA office. The form is available on SSA’s website at www.socialsecurity.gov, by calling 800-772-1213 or at local offices.
2. Notify the IRS If you have a new address you should notify the IRS by sending Form 8822, Change of Address. You may download Form 8822 from IRS.gov or order it by calling 800–TAX–FORM (800–829–3676).
3. Notify the U.S.Postal Service You should also notify the U.S. Postal Service when you move so it can forward any IRS correspondence.
4. Notify Your Employer Report any name and address changes to your employer(s) to make sure you receive your Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, after the end of the year.
5. Check Your Withholding If both you and your spouse work, your combined income may place you in a higher tax bracket. You can use the IRS Withholding Calculator available on IRS.gov to assist you in determining the correct amount of withholding needed for your new filing status. The IRS Withholding Calculator will even provide you with a new Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate, you can print out and give to your employer so they can withhold the correct amount from your pay.

Here are five facts from the IRS for recently married or divorced taxpayers. Following these steps will help avoid problems when you file your tax return.

1. If you took your spouse’s last name or if both spouses hyphenate their last names, you may run into complications if you don’t notify the SSA. When newlyweds file a tax return using their new last names, IRS computers can’t match the new name with their Social Security Number.
2. If you were recently divorced and changed back to your previous last name, you’ll also need to notify the SSA of this name change.
3. Informing the SSA of a name change is a snap; you’ll just need to file a Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card at your local SSA office.
4. Form SS-5 is available on SSA’s Web site at www.socialsecurity.gov, by calling 800-772-1213 or at local offices. It usually takes about two weeks to have the change verified.
5. If you adopted your spouse’s children after getting married, you’ll want to make sure the children have an SSN. Taxpayers must provide an SSN for each dependent claimed on a tax return. For adopted children without SSNs, the parents can apply for an Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number – or ATIN – by filing Form W-7A, Application for Taxpayer Identification Number for Pending U.S. Adoptions with the IRS. The ATIN is a temporary number used in place of an SSN on the tax return. The W-7A is available on IRS.gov, or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

Source: IRS.gov