IRS Sends Warning To Gay Couples

As we all start looking forward to filing our tax returns this year, gay couples who were married in Massachusetts or Canada in the last year should realize that you are not eligible to file a joint tax return as a married couple, even though Massachusetts and Canada view your marriage as fully valid. This is because of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), according to the IRS. So, forget those tax breaks given to married couples. Buckle down and open up that wallet because Uncle Sam wants his money!

Canada keeps looking better as time goes on...

The Internal Revenue Service is warning same-sex couples that they cannot file joint income tax returns even if they were legally married in Massachusetts or Canada.

The IRS says it is basing its denial of joint filings on Federal DOMA which restricts marriage to opposite-sex couples.

The warning follows a court ruling in Minnesota where a federal judge Monday dismissed a lawsuit that was filed by a gay couple.

Jack Baker and L. Michael McConnell claimed they deserved a tax refund because they were legally married and should be granted married taxpayer status.

McConnell had sought to change his taxpayer status to married, and claimed he deserved a refund of nearly $800. The suit asked U.S. District Judge Joan Ericksen for an order "declaring plaintiff to be a full citizen who is lawfully married" in Minnesota. [...]

A study last year shows that gay families pay on average higher taxes and get fewer benefits. (source)