If you were married or divorced recently, there are a couple of things you'll

want to do to ensure the name on your tax return matches the name registered

with the Social Security Administration.

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 href="http://www.socialsecurity.gov">http://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 http://www.IRS.gov, or by calling

800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).