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Level 4
March 4, 2020
Question

Name Control individual - max number of characters

  • March 4, 2020
  • 2 replies
  • 8 views

What is the max number of characters allowed for IRS for individual names. I have this suggestion diagnostic in PTO: "Taxpayer's name is being truncated in the e-file. The IRS may delay the posting of the taxpayer's return and, if applicable, any refund.".  Agent via Live Chat responded that 40 is the max number allowed. I have client totaling 37 characters including spaces (first name last name first name last name). Why diagnostic? and How to fix? Thank you

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2 replies

itonewbie
Level 15
March 4, 2020

The most practical thing to do is to abbreviate the middle name(s) since the IRS' name control will only match the (first 4 characters of) the last name against the SSN.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Still an AllStar
LoveTaxAuthor
Level 4
March 6, 2020

My clients don't have middle names. Thank you for the first 4 characters tip!

Level 3
December 22, 2022

My client's first name has 5 characters, last name has 8 and I am still getting this truncated message.

His wife's last name is different but the error is showing on his first name with the 5 characters.

These are the exact names used in previous tax returns.

Any suggestions would help!

sjrcpa
Level 15
December 22, 2022

Try deleting his name and re-entering it.

The more I know the more I don’t know.