Does the Order of the Names on a Joint Return Matter?

When filing your first married filing joint tax return, it doesn’t matter to TurboTax or the IRS who is listed first – the husband or the wife.

However, once you make this decision it is best to keep the order the same from year-to-year.

The IRS instructions for Form 1040 state:

"If you filed a joint return for 2011 and you are filing a joint return for 2012 with the same spouse, be sure to enter your names and SSNs in the same order as on your 2011 return."

Also, if you are filing a joint return, write the SSNs in the same order as the names. Use this same order in submitting any other joint-return-related forms and documents to the IRS.

The IRS instructions for Form 1040 state:

"If you filed a joint return for 2011 and you are filing a joint return for 2012 with the same spouse, be sure to enter your names and SSNs in the same order as on your 2011 return."

Changing the order of the names and SSNs could delay the processing of your return and your refund.

If you change your name for any reason including when you get married or divorced, you need to make the change through the Social Security Administration.

You can use the SSA’s application for Social Security card to change your name (PDF application and instructions).

The Social Security Administration will notify the Internal Revenue Service of the name change. This prevents delays in processing your return and issuing refunds.

If you are filing a joint return as a widow(ed) spouse for the year in which a spouse dies, keep the same order as the previous year’s tax return.

This will reduce the chance of delays in processing your return and any refund.