Direct deposit surname maiden name question

[PATAX]

Preparing a return now for a girl who is head of household. She separated and moved out from her husband in the first half of 2021. She uses her married surname. But her maiden name is still registered  with Social Security, so that is the name that I have to file it under, IE she never contacted Social Security to change her surname. She's going to get a refund, and I'm wondering if I do direct deposit, if it will be rejected since her maiden surname will be on the IRS check, and I am assuming her married surname may be on the bank account. Thanks in advance for any suggestions and help .

[IRonMaN · Accepted solution]

If you are dealing with a small hometown bank, check with the bank.  If not, play it safe and have them mail a check.

[rbynaker]

There's not always consistency among banks on this stuff.  The IRS doesn't care.  Ask the client what she wants to do, I'm not afraid to run with scissors on this one.  Either it will work fine (probably 95% of the time) or the bank will reject it and then the IRS will reissue the refund in the form of a check mailed to last known address.  So maybe the check gets delayed a bit if the bank rejects it.  If that's a deal-breaker she should go the check route (or open a new bank account with the matching name on it.)

[jeffmcpa2010]

Inquiring minds want to know (after opening a couple of new accounts in the last few years) how in the world someone was able to open a bank account in the US with the wrong last name that did not match their SS Card? Seems Like I had to produce enough ID to make mine bounce if I tried that.

[PATAX]

Thanks Iron Man.

[PATAX]

Jeff, I'm assuming that her married surname is on the bank account, but she did not give me a voided check to do direct deposit. Therefore I'm assuming she wants a check mailed to her. But if the check has her maiden surname on it, and if her bank account has her married surname on it, then that is why I was asking if we should do direct deposit. I called her earlier but she has still not called back.