IRS 8822

Looking for name change advice or some tips for newlywed life? The MissNowMrs experts have created state-specific name change articles and checklists for you. We’ve chronicled our recommendations for how to travel while changing your name AND how to handle voting during the transition.

We’ve also compiled our best guidance for how to handle difficult sister in laws, holidays as newlyweds, the ever-annoying baby questions, and much more. Why? Because, while we are name change experts, we’re also newlywed wives, moms, and sisters.

We hope our name change advice articles help smooth your transition to your new name, and a whole new phase of life. Congratulations and best wishes from the entire MissNowMrs team!

Form 8822 & How To Change Your Name With The IRS

The IRS excels at making things complicated. The IRS 8822 form is no different. Fortunately, as name change experts we’re happy to share what we know. Use our 3 IRS name change tips below!

Tip 1: Disregard the Form Name

Ignore the fact that Form 8822 is titled as Change of Address. When you read the purpose of the form on the second page it states that it can be used to notify the IRS of a name change. This is good news for newlyweds!

Tip 2: It’s a CYA Decision

The IRS 8822 form is not required. You can change your name after marriage without filing it. However, filing this 7 question form ensures that the IRS knows your maiden name and your intention to change to your married name. It’s free to file the form. So, we always encourage MissNowMrs clients to spend 4 minutes and complete Form 8822. By filing the 8822 you’re assured that the IRS knows of their name change and will not hold their tax returns due to “name change confusion.” After your wedding and honeymoon, newlyweds in particular need access to their tax returns!

Tip 3: Don’t Freak Out About The IRS Address

In a truly mysterious move, the IRS offices do not have street addresses. For real! So, when you’re mailing in your Form 8822 it is completely okay to only use the two address lines listed on the form. *If you’re using the MissNowMrs name change service or app, you’ll already have the appropriate address on your mailing label.

So there you have it. You now have the 3 tips necessary use Form 8822 to notify the IRS of your new married name. If you’re looking to save 13 hours of name-change form hassle, MissNowMrs is here to help you make the transition to Mrs. in a matter of minutes!

Married Name Change & the IRS 8822 Form Video

Watch this video for the full scoop on why newlyweds should file the IRS 8822 form & tips for answering the tricky questions!

Name Change After Marriage & the IRS 8822 Form

First comes love, then comes marriage, often followed by name change after marriage, and a ton of complicated name-change forms. The IRS 8822 is hands down the form that MissNowMrs customer support receives the most calls and emails about. No newlywed wants to make a mistake involving their taxes and their new married name, but the form isn’t exactly easy to understand (no surprise there).

The title of the form is the first confusing factor. It’s labeled as a change of address form, buuuuuuuuuut if you read the fine print on the second page of the form, it is also used to notify the IRS of your new married name. Why they cannot add name change to the title is beyond us (and yes, we’ve asked for the change).

So, even if you are not changing your address as a newlywed, you should file the IRS 8822 form if you are changing your name. There isn’t a fee to file it, and it provides peace of mind that you have informed the IRS that you Miss YXZ are now Mrs. ZYX and they can send your tax returns to you at your new name.

The decedent question is another confusing part of the IRS 8822. Everyone newlywed wants to know “What is a decedent?” Well, to be straightforward, it’s a dead person. Not something you really want to think about in your post-wedding bubble, but a decedent is important to the IRS. Why? If a dead person has left you money in your maiden name, the IRS wants to keep tabs on that as your name changes.

The good news is that if you don’t have a decedent in your life, you can simply skip that question. But, it is totally fine to feel bummed that you’re not a trust fund kid.

Should you want access to name-change experts who can answer any and all questions about the IRS 8822 and the other name change forms. Sign up for the MissNowMrs online name change service!

The IRS 8822 Form: To File or Not to File

Do you know about the IRS 8822 form? Newlywed and exploring the idea of name change? Now is the perfect time to make the transition to Mrs.! If you file for your Social Security card and alert the Internal Revenue Service to your new name via the IRS 8822 form prior to December 31st, you can use your new married name on your taxes. No one wants to think about mundane things like taxes in the warm glow of newlywed bliss. But, taxes and impending tax season are a reality.

It’s free to file the IRS 8822 form. So, there is no reason to skip it when you change your name! The form title may read “Change of Address”, but if you read the fine print, it also serves as a notification form for name change. Is filing the IRS 8822 required? No, but we consider it a CYA form. You answer 7 questions and mail the form in, and that will ensure that the IRS knows of your new married name prior to tax season. The alternative is to not file the form and hope the Social Security Administration alerts the IRS to your new name.

If there is any confusion about your name, your tax returns will be held until the IRS sorts out the matter (and we all know how fast government offices are). So, when in doubt, file the free form! If you have questions about how to answer some of the IRS 8822 questions, which are tricky, you can always call or email the MissNowMrs name change experts.

Did you file the IRS 8822 when you changed your name? If you didn’t, did you run into any snafus during tax season? Let us know in a comment!