Hello,

I e-filed my federal taxes & it was rejected. (married filing jointly)

Below is the reason given to me.


Form/Schedule: Form 1040 - U.S. Individual Income Tax Return
Form Copy: 1
Error Code: 503
Error Description: The Spouse's Social Security Number and Name information provided on the Tax Return, does not match the information currently available in the IRS Masterfile. Please verify that the Name and Social Security Number entered for the Spouse is correct. Both entries should agree with the information on the Spouse's Social Security Card. If the information you have entered is correct according to your records, you may confirm or correct the information with the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or your local office. Review your entries in Basic Information and repeat the filing step to resubmit.

My wife is on H4 & doesn't have a SSN, she has a ITIN.

My wife has a hyphenated last name, in this format (xx-xxxxxxx)

I called IRS & they told me to file but limit her last name to first letters of her last name (before the hyphen) and if that doesn't work then change the lat name to the second part of her last name (after the hyphen).

I am not sure if I should do that as I am not stating the correct last name. I did a bit searching & everywhere it says that I can file the last name with the hyphen.

What should I do? Do what the IRS rep said or paper file my return.

Do what the IRS rep says. It's a computer matching issue with your wife's last name.

Ok, but is that not false information? I do understand the computer not recognizing it. Will I get penalized for it later?

Not if the SSN or ITIN is accurate.

Your intent is to file a valid tax return. The computer just cannot properly match up the names.

I filed my returns again...

First time I filed using the first letters of her last name (before the hyphen), it got rejected.

Then I filed using the second part of her last name (after the hyphen( and it again got rejected. I have no idea what to do now.

Call the Social Security Administration and find out EXACTLY how they have her listed on their files. Then use that name on your tax return.

If that does not work, you will have to file a paper return.