Does Changing Your Name Affect Your Social Security?

Numerous legal repercussions may result from changing your name, including how it will impact your Social Security benefits. To avoid any issues in the future, you must update your Social Security records if you change your name as a result of marriage, divorce, or any other circumstance.

When changing your name, you must complete out Form SS-5 and submit it to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Both your local Social Security office and the SSA’s website have access to this form. A marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order are acceptable forms of identification for proving a name change. You will get a new Social Security card with your new name on it whenever the SSA updates your records.

Any differences in your name could affect your benefits, therefore it’s critical to swiftly amend your Social Security records. For instance, you can experience difficulties receiving benefits or get less money if the name on your Social Security card and tax returns do not match.

Whether you require a DBA (Doing Business As) in Georgia is another aspect to take into account while changing your name. If you want to conduct business using a name other than your own, a DBA, or Doing Business As, is necessary. To register a DBA in Georgia, you must submit a Trade Name Registration to the Secretary of State.

If you wish to register a DBA in Georgia and you have an LLC (Limited Liability Company), you must submit a Certificate of Assumed Name to the Secretary of State. Every five years, this $25 certificate needs to be renewed. In order to protect your business name, you might need to submit a separate trademark registration as registering a DBA does not grant trademark protection.

Finally, you must pay taxes on your business income if you own an LLC in Georgia. No matter the amount of LLC income, the state of Georgia levies a flat tax of 6% on it. Additionally, depending on your business structure and revenue level, you might be required to pay federal taxes on your LLC income.

In conclusion, it is critical to swiftly update your records if your name changes because it may have an impact on your Social Security income. You may need to establish a DBA in Georgia if you intend to conduct business under a name other than your own. You can do this by submitting a Trade Name Registration or a Certificate of Assumed Name. Finally, LLCs in Georgia are subject to a flat tax rate of 6% on their income, which must be paid to both the state and the federal government.