US tax refund slower after legal name change

[StacyRenee]

My tax refund usually only takes 7 to 10 days. I did a legal name change last year. I'm still waiting for my refund after nearly three weeks. I'm wondering if they are taking longer this year because of the name change.

Any one else have this happen?

[Dena]

E deposit or snail mail refund? My taxes went out 3-4 weeks ago and the refund hasn't shown up yet however I went with snail mail so I may need to wait a bit more. On the other hand, it's always possible the supporting documentation that was filed electronically isn't connecting with your tax return so they may need to resolve the naming issues by hand. It shouldn't be much of a problem as the Social Security numbers on all the paper work matches.

[Dani]

I did submitted my taxes in the first week of February electronically and I received my refund by the end of the month. I legally changed my name about 6 months earlier.

I have a friend who owes additional tax and she says that the IRS has been denying her name change for the last two years.

So, who knows? The Lord and the IRS move in mysterious ways! 

[KarynMcD]

IRS Tax Tip 2016-22, February 18, 2016

A name change can have an impact on your taxes. All the names on your tax return must match Social Security Administration records. A name mismatch can delay your refund.

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/change-your-name-it-can-affect-your-taxes

[StacyRenee]

Social security was changed to my new name in August, when the legal name change was finalized. Only the gender marker was changed in December, when my birth certificate came with female gender marker (I had issues with my physician writing a proper letter for the birth certificate and didn't want to deal with that again for SSA.) W2, along with all work records were changed in August as well. Everything matches.

[StacyRenee]

E-filed at H&R Block with direct deposit to my checking account. Filed on 2/15. I always wait to file until the second half of February to avoid the rush (something I learned from preparing taxes for H&R Block years ago.) For the last 10-15 years I've done this the same. State usually came back in about 7 days. Federal in about 10 days. I'm at 20 days and have received nothing.

[StacyRenee]

I did submitted my taxes in the first week of February electronically and I received my refund by the end of the month. I legally changed my name about 6 months earlier.

I have a friend who owes additional tax and she says that the IRS has been denying her name change for the last two years.

So, who knows? The Lord and the IRS move in mysterious ways! 

How awful. I hope things get better for your friend.

What I learned at H&R Block, if you file by e-file and direct deposit it's the fastest. First half of February, expect around three weeks for federal. Second half of February, about half that. March maybe a day or two less. April, the same as first half of February.

I've also learned that when your filing changes drastically, you're more likely to get audited. I've been through that due to custody changes. I really hope this delay doesn't mean I have an audit in my future.